The Circle of Wonder Inishowen is a new experience that integrates skills that are ancient with insights that are new!
The Circle of Wonder Inishowen welcomes the following Creative Enthusiasts to sit (and dance) with us at the upcoming event.
Generously sharing their skills with us are (in no particular order – it is a circle after all!) the following Cultural Creatives:
Clare McCay is an Irish Japanese artist based in Donegal. She had a degree in visual communication and has a great interest in story telling. “Clare has a Peaceful Presence and that is core to my intention for the Circle of Wonder – that we all experience Peace and of course Enjoyment. And working with Clare has been a great joy for me. She is a very talented artist and fun to be with!” says Kathleen O’Hara Farren, event organiser. Clare has been assisting with creative design and will be one of the three artists working on a piece of art at the event.
Brendan Farren of Big Green Art & Big Green Weaving has been bringing many gifts to the communities in Inishowen and surrounds with his sculptures, basket making classes and art through murals and signs. From living willow domes (the children’s favorite in our local school) to video’s on ‘how-to’ make your own baskets, Brendan has reached people all around the world. Appreciated by many for his gentle ways, Brendan is also a great home maker and loving dad! “I am grateful for Brendan’s support during the preparations for this event and I look forward to seeing him paint with the trio at the circle.” says Kathleen O’Hara Farren 🙂 https://www.biggreenart.com/
Lex is a creative facilitator, movement and visual artist, permaculture designer and yoga teacher. “I bring fun, freshness, creativity, depth, sensitivity, embodiment and an innate sense of play to groups and individuals. I enjoy working in a range of places including arts centres, businesses, hospitals, schools and retreat centres.” says Lex. Event Organiser, Kathleen O’Hara Farren adds, “I met Lex at a Cultural Emergence training course where we enjoyed singing together as well as sharing practices to help people and projects run smoothly. It’s always heart warming to be in Lex’s company.” Lex will be one of three artists at the Circle of Wonder painting a work of art, live as we sit in circle. https://lexingtonlove.com/
Micheál Ó Dálaigh is a multi-instrumentalist Artist and Sound Healer who has in recent months been treating many people around the country to his unique and amazing Hand Pan melodic drumming. “I feel fortunate to be welcoming Micheál to share his many gifts with us. It’s more than just listening to the lovely music, it is a most pleasing whole body experience to hear Micheál play.” says event organiser Kathleen O’Hara Farren.
Maria Coleman from Comhcheol Arts and Wellness also runs Donegal Yoga Retreats. She has a background in fine art, music, multimedia, research, teaching, community development and writing. Maria’s keenest interests lie in the space where yoga, art, neuroscience, psychology, music, play, sound healing and wellbeing meet. She also makes art and heritage documentaries.
Maria will treat us to a Sound Healing experience with Chimes, Gongs and more! “I am thrilled to be able to bring Maria to the Circle of Wonder Inishowen event, all the way from west Donegal! The variety and depth that she is bringing will resonate with us… until she returns again (says I hopefully – as we shall benefit greatly at this taste of tones and will surely want to experience it more often)” says Kathleen O’Hara Farren who is facilitating at this event.
Mary McGuiggan has been dancing since she was 4 years old! She has taught in schools and communities for fun, celebration and exercise. Mary also teaches workshops nationally and internationally and enjoys composing new pieces for different occasions.
She believes that dancing is ” food for the soul”. We are looking forward to an easy and cool new circle dance with ceilí steps – oh and weaving being one of the themes of the day – we shall weave our way around the dance floor, with thanks to Mary’s pleasant guidance!
Aran Lafferty has been playing the concertina for a couple of years. Learning tunes from the Inishowen traditional music school, Ceolán he also likes to play his own compositions. His father Eamon has always been a musician and has been enjoying the banjo in recent years. We look forward to welcoming Aran & Eamon Lafferty to play in the Circle of Wonder!
Kathleen O’Hara Farren is a Wellbeing Facilitator and Cultural Creative. “I’m keen to bring wholesome creative opportunities and experiences to my locality, especially for the youth. I am thrilled that this event has been awarded generous funds from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media supported by Donegal County Council.” says Kathleen.
“I have been living in Inishowen longer than anywhere else that I’ve lived! I’m delighted to share the beauty of this place with all who visit and live here. I’m especially happy to be living near where my father and grandmother grew up. My husband Brendan and I have brought up our three children on our family farm along the Foyle. We’ve initiated a few interesting projects here over the years including The Inishowen Summer Gathering, The Inishowen Kindergarten and The Anchor Arts Centre in Moville. Another community group that I’ve enjoyed participating with is Celebrate Water. All of these were great for meeting others in the area and I am sure that The Circle of Wonder will ignite a spark of enjoyment that we will carry into the next season and beyond.” shares Kathleen.
All the ‘behind the scenes’ design work is being done by creatives of all ages. We have a mentoring policy in The Edge School which really makes learning easy! Gratitude all around for all the serendipitous happenings that is making this event Wonder-filled!
Book your tickets here:
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/circle-of-wonder-inishowen-tickets-411177682517
