Classes

Crochet Facilitator, Anne McCann

The act of bringing people together through crafting is an age-old concept. Using crochet to begin the reconnecting of social interactions as the restrictions of Covid 19 eased was a new concept to everyone.

All crochet projects begin with a simple chain. I used this simple analogy to deliver a 10-week class to participants, connecting them together with yarn I encouraged them to design and extend simple stitches into beautiful, colourful pieces, themed to reflect experiences encountered during Covid 19 restrictions. The crocheted chain stitch featured in all the work. The wallhangings, hearts, blankets and wash cloths all began with a chain and developed thereafter, alongside the participants interest and confidence. The groups involved in the project, West End Centre in Enniskillen, Wark Hall in Belleek and Drumhaw Fold in Lisnaskea contributed beautifully to the Brilliant Resilience programme. The projects such as ‘Hearts of Hope’, ‘Chain Reaction’ and ‘Positive Yarns’ allowed the crafters to discuss how they coped, celebrated and endured lockdown. We all contributed within the safe space of the class. I was heartened by the support, friendship and kindness shown to one another through the weekly crochet classes. I designed the individual pieces to reflect the discussions within the class. I felt a sense of companionship begin with those who had felt disconnected and alone during lockdown. I was acutely aware of the need to reach out to those participating in the classes, and find ways for each member to contribute and feel valued within the teaching. The end result is a collection of bright and individual work, respectfully displayed within the exhibition. I feel this sharing of work will uplift and comfort in a unique style and will begin to restore the well-being of each contributor.

Photography Facilitator, Lisa McQuaid, Belfast Exposed Photography

I’ve been involved with Belfast Exposed for a few years now. I’m particularly interested and have been involved in the community engagement work that Mervyn Smyth runs. There is a great amount of satisfaction to be taken from such work. I love meeting people and introducing them to photography and the many positive and therapeutic benefits it can offer.

I was approached by Mervyn about the Brilliant Resilience photography facilitation and thought it sounded like a fantastic project. Particularly after the extraordinary recent events of covid and the changes that has brought about as well as the impact it has undoubtedly had on people socially and emotionally. I thought that the bringing together of people using the medium of photography as well as the other courses was a simple yet very effective way of re-engaging people, especially those who may have more isolated i.e., in more rural areas like Newtownbutler.

Although born from the aftermath of Covid I found it interesting and extremely refreshing that there was little or no mention of covid by the participants whatsoever, the emphasis was very much about ‘the now’. This is the beauty of photography. There is only now. The participants thoroughly enjoyed the experience of meeting new friends, getting out again and learning some basic skills. They were intrigued at how much more they noticed things around them, just by being present and engaged. I heard more than once “I can’t believe I’ve never noticed that before” and “I’ve lived here all my life”. I have a great deal of time for others and their stories and really enjoyed getting to know all of the participants as well as watching friendships grow. Many of the participants discovered talents they never knew they had and produced some beautiful work they should be very proud of. I am so glad to hear that some are planning to continue with their learning and don’t doubt that I’ll meet them somewhere down the road.

I believe that resilience is a naturally built-in quality that we have in this country. A quiet determination and grit that helps us through and has stood by us all throughout covid. That was evident in Fermanagh where I witnessed throughout the project a most Brilliant Resilience in her people.

Storytelling Facilitator, Teresa Kane

The Brilliant Resilience project aimed to document the resilience of countryside life during lockdown. Working through the medium of storytelling and writing, I came to personally experience so many inner strengths of ordinary people coping in extra ordinary times. I worked with four groups of adults who invariably responded in different ways to the project. However, what was common to all groups was the trust and honesty which developed within each group. This engendered an environment of safety in which sadness, pain, tears and laughter were given freedom to be expressed.

Many of the participants revealed that they found peace in looking back. On the other hand, some found it painful to remember, not because their pasts were unhappy but rather the opposite; their pasts held very happy memories. Many stated that their stories are a gift to future generations.

The storytelling sessions usually started with artefacts or stories which prompted memories. One artefact was a lock of hair which dated back to 1914. It was a ‘true lover’s knot.’ Memories came flooding back about parents cutting a child’s first locks and keeping them. A willow pattern plate inspired memories of Christmas with the turkey in pride of place on the ‘big’ plate. A turf spade and turf elicited memories of days spent in the bog. Mabel, when she heard the story of ‘The Children of Lir’ smiled and declared that she hadn’t heard that story since her school days and that she thought that she would never hear it again. That spurred an evening’s conversation about school days. Some started speaking in Irish – a vivid memory from the National school. During writing classes, writers explored how identities may have changed during lockdowns. They wrote legacy letters and cards from the time of Covid. They reflected on questions which had arisen during lockdowns. They wrote of their fears and dreams for the future. The Brilliant Resilience project afforded its participants time to reflect, to question, to imagine and create.

Einstein said that: ‘Creativity is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.’ For six wonderful weeks we took flight into each other’s recollections of life – what you see exhibited around you are the worlds we explored.

Images from the storytelling workshop were taken by Lisa McQuaid.