Mayo exhibition for Protect the Children of Kenya charity

THE Kenyan Art Project, an exhibition of art works by two local artists, Anna O. Dixon and Norah Brennan, will be held in the Claremorris Town Hall Theatre gallery over the weekend of December 3 to 5.

This is a fundraising event and all proceeds go to Protect the Children of Kenya, a charity founded by Claremorris woman Janet Hinchion.

The aim of the charity is to alleviate poverty by the advancement of education in Kenya for the benefit of children withdrawn by their parents from child labour. They do this by supporting their educational opportunities, through paying school fees and related expenses and also by providing life skills training for both parents and children.

At the end of January 2020 artists Norah Brennan and Anna O. Dixon travelled to Kitui, Kenya. Their mission was to bring the joy of creating art to the children and families with whom Protect the Children were working. They spent three weeks working with the participants, introducing them to a range of ways of making art, from drawing to collage to pattern making and even bag making.

This exhibition is the artists’ reflection on teaching and social experiences in Kitui. Both Anna and Norah have responded in their own different styles and media. They have also edited video and photographic footage from their visit.

As well as their own work, which is all for sale, they will also have some of their students work available over the weekend. These are very accessible and would make lovely stocking filler gifts while having the benefit of bringing much needed funds to this worthy charity.

Janet Hinchion, founder and chairperson of Protect the Children of Kenya, will perform the official opening of the exhibition on Friday night, December 3, from 7 to 9 p.m.

The exhibition will be open Friday (3rd) and Saturday (4th) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday (5th) from 12 to 4 p.m.