Kirkby performer returns to her roots with online art festival
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Claire Finn returned from London to her family home in Kirkby after the performing arts industry ground to a halt during the pandemic.
Keen to keep her creative juices flowing, Claire began thinking of ideas to bring art to the community, knowing the benefits it would bring to people’s mental health.
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Hide AdShe decided upon the idea of creating an online art festival, which will take place in May this year, which she says is already getting a lot of attention from amateur and experienced artists alike.
The 32-year-old said: “Most people’s mental health is awful at the minute and the lockdown and isolation is really affecting people.
"A friend is a nurse and has taken up crocheting during lockdown, which has really helped her to cope, so I wanted to bring some creativity and art into people’s homes, and give them a platform to showcase their work.
"It’s great, as it allows me to be creative, whilst encouraging others to put themselves out there too."
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Hide AdThe festival will take place online with a series of events, and is open to people of all abilities and genres.
Claire has already received submissions in genres such as photography, poetry and music, and says she is ‘excited’ to begin organising the events.
She continued: “I have had people contact me who assumed they weren’t experienced enough, but it’s for the whole community to enjoy.
"I’m really excited to see the submissions!”
For more information on the festival, see its Facebook page ‘Ashfield virtual arts festival’