Ballykeel's Got Talent!

The Ballykeel 1 Moving Forward Community Group hosted a successful presentation and prize giving awards evening this past month celebrating the finale of their beginner’s landscape painting course.

The event was held at the Ballykeel Community Centre on Tuesday 20th December. Pictured are the local participants who completed the 14-week course, and their art tutor, Mr. Wilfie Neeson.

Wilfie told us “the group was a delight to work with and the paintings completed of Slemish from Buckna were of a very high standard.”

He went on to say, “This therapeutic artwork course is designed to make people more aware of their surroundings and to give the students a sense of self-worth and confidence in trying something new. All that is needed are willing students and a patient tutor to tease out the artistic ability that is inherent in all of us."

This popular course was over-subscribed from the start, proving that there is a genuine interest in becoming an artist and to appreciate the beauty in everyday life.

Chairperson Chris Bowyer said, “on behalf of the Ballykeel 1 Moving Forward Community group, I would like to thank the many local companies who donated prizes, including The Works, Pennybridge Accountancy, and Wilfie’s World of Art.”

Gillian Forrest and Roisin Hamiliton from Supporting Communities were also thanked for their assistance in gaining the funding needed for this project which was secured through the Big Lottery’s “Awards for All” grant scheme.