New playground mural celebrates cultural diversity in Carrick-on-Suir
The mural is painted on a wall at the children’s playground in the town’s Bridgewater House Direct Provision Centre
A new art mural painted on the grounds of Carrick-on-Suir's Bridgewater House celebrates the many cultures living in the direct provision centre and in the local community.
The mural located on a wall at the children’s playground in Bridgewater House was painted by former Bridgewater House resident Alba Primavera Barientos de Cruz with help from children living at the centre.
It was created as part of the Friends of Bridgewater House Committee's Little Explorers Creative Arts & Discovery Project. The project was organised as part of the county's recent celebrations for Cruinniú na nÓg, Ireland’s national day of free creativity for children and teenagers.
Bridgewater House Community Liaison Officer Martina Walsh said the project included a trip to artist Mia Carney's Manyweathers Art Studio near Kilcash where the children enjoyed arts and crafts, knitting classes and woodland walks. The knitting classes were led by Friends of Bridgewater House Committee Chairperson Marie Walsh and Kathleen Bourke.She said the beautiful mural painted by Alba Primavera Barientos de Cruz and the children was a special highlight of the project.
“The mural features children from different backgrounds standing together beneath the Irish flag. It celebrates the many cultures represented in Bridgewater House while highlighting the importance of unity within the local community.“The project gave children the opportunity to express themselves creatively, learn about different cultures, and contribute to a permanent piece of art that will be enjoyed for years to come,” Martina added.