Arts Council opens international doors for Ulster performance poet

IFACCA/Artshub, 05 September 2005,United Kingdom

With assistance from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, performance poet Carol Kelly will host two workshops at the Workman’s Theatre in Toronto, Canada. Carol is a well-known advocate for greater understanding of the issues surrounding mental illness, and describes herself as a survivor of the mental health system. Carol’s personal experience and willingness to talk candidly and with humour about mental health problems has won her many admirers. “My personal testimony, purely from a survivor’s experience, sends out a very powerful message and has affected a great many of these people deeply. I have received letters from professionals telling me that they have found my work quite profound and very useful,” she says. Funding for Carol’s Canadian trip is through the Arts Council’s ‘Arts and Disability Networking Abroad’ scheme, developed to enhance the profile and reputation of disabled artists overseas and to develop the networking potential of the Arts and Disability sector. As part of her Canadian workshops, Carol will present a collection of poetry and photography based on the demolition of an old psychiatric facility. The collection was created by members of ‘Unlimited Survivors’, a small voluntary group set up for users and survivors of the mental health system. “Some of the poems are dark, but many are humorous” says Carol, “Most people are surprised by just how hilarious these psychiatric hospitals can be at times. It’s not all doom and gloom.” Arts & Disability Officer at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Chris Ledger said, “The trip will allow Carol to network on an international level and help build her profile as an artist, which in turn will lead to opportunities for further performances and workshops and bring outside influences back to Northern Ireland – that’s what these grants are all about. “The trip will not only benefit Carol, it will be a positive move for the ‘Unlimited Survivors’ group in Portstewart. Given that isolation is one of the problems for individuals with mental health needs, the knowledge that people in Canada appreciate their work will give everyone involved a great boost. The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is delighted to be funding this endeavour,” he said. For further information, CLICK HERE

Show latest news, more from September 2005.