First Fortnight online programme 2021
Riverbank Arts Centre is delighted to partner with First Fortnight festival once again to bring you an online programme of arts events and activities. Now in its 12th year, First Fortnight is an arts-based mental health charity that organises a festival at the beginning of the year, aimed at raising awareness of mental health and challenging stigma. This year’s programme at Riverbank Arts Centre includes:
Thursday, 21st January, 7pm (can be viewed up to Midnight)
ONLINE THEATRE: Fishamble: The New Play Company present Mustard by Eva O’Connor
A one-woman show about heartbreak, madness and how condiments are the ultimate coping mechanism, by award-winning playwright & performer Eva O’Connor.
Tickets €10 (per device)
Book Tickets
Friday, 22nd January , 6pm (duration 2 hours)
ONLINE WORKSHOP: Wire sculpture for beginners with Glenn Gibson
Like to try something new this January? It has been well documented that participating in arts and creative activity benefits our mental wellbeing. This two hour ZOOM workshop with artist Glenn Gibson will encourage you to explore techniques and materials to create sculptures from wire.
Cost: €20 (includes materials & postage)
BOOKING/ More information
We also have a family online programme which includes the always popular Children’s Books Ireland Book Clinic and a ‘Mood Book’ art workshop with artist Marta Golubowska.
Saturday, 16th January – Children’s Books Ireland Book Clinic (11am-3pm, each ‘appointment’ 15 minutes)
Are you a young reader? Looking for a new series to delve into? Feeling uninspired by your bookshelves at home? Do you need a prescription for an exciting new read? Then pop into the virtual Book Clinic! Visit the Book Doctor and consult on your favourite reads – come away with a prescription for your next book which you can take to your local bookshop or library!
These clinics will be presented on ZOOM, will be 15 minutes in duration and are suitable for children 0-18 years (though for babes-in-arms the advice will be directed toward parents). FREE, booking essential. More details here
Saturday, 23rd January – Create a ‘Mood book’ with artist Marta Golubowska (10:30am, duration 60 minutes)
Does happiness have a colour? Does anger have a shape? In this workshop hosted by artist Marta Golubowska, children will create ‘mood books’ for sketches and collages to express their emotions. Using music, colours and shapes as prompts, participating children will create a series of collages, based on a ‘flying scissors’ technique inspired by Matisse. Children will be invited to focus on their emotions – and reflect these feelings in their artwork. Suitable for ages 8-12 years. Tickets €5. More details here.
Riverbank Arts Centre will partner with JuneFest at the end of the month (28th January) with a ‘good news’ version of their popular – and very tricky!- online quiz. Lots of prizes on offer so why not give it a try. See this link for all the details.
Speaking of the 2021 Festival, Edel Doran, First Fortnight Programme Co-ordinator says; “2020 has been a year when we have been told to lock ourselves away from other people; to not see our friends and family and in some cases to isolate. There has of course been reason for this but the effect has left us lonely, isolated and vulnerable. This is something many people experience when they have a mental health difficulty they feel they can’t share. They feel powerless. When we challenge mental health stigma, we help create a society that is there to help and to listen to mental health discussion. The arts are a powerful tool for this, the nation turned to the arts during this difficult time for a source of entertainment, escapism or enjoyment. We invite you to actively participate in the arts festival this year, join our community and power the change for mental health.”
First Fortnight is a charity that challenges mental health prejudice through arts and cultural action. For more information about First Fortnight see their website
Main image above for First Fortnight by artist ADW