By Julie Waters
DISCOVER that ‘Art Is Good For You’ is the message from two local artists who have opened their new exhibition at Bangor Library’s Curve Gallery.
Friends Emma Van Houten and Louise Macartney recently rediscovered their artistic passions after a long hiatus and their joint exhibition is now open to the public until August 1st.
The artistic duo have also extended a warm invitation to art enthusiasts to their open afternoon, being held Saturday 25th July from 2pm to 4pm.
The two friends have shared how taking up their paintbrushes again has given them a new energy for life and they are encouraging others to embrace their inner artists.
Emma, who is a teacher at St Colombanus’ College, also hosts monthly ‘Sip and Paint’ sessions in Helen’s Bay in a bid to encourage others to rekindle their creativity.
“You don’t need any previous experience to join our sessions, and my tagline is ‘art for well being and connection’,” said Emma. “That social interaction that we can create around the making of art is a huge part of supporting people’s well- being and mental health.
“I’ve had a lot of enjoyment making these recent pieces of work that I’m showing in the Curve Gallery and I’m also delighted to be able to support a few of my St Columbanus students by including them in this exhibition.
“I’m immensely proud of their artwork, and want them to feel their own pride, and have it celebrated in a community space which the public library provides. So hopefully they won’t let their talents sleep for decades like Louise and I. We’re also very grateful to the Libraries NI team for giving an opportunity to show these works.”
Louise explained that she has spent the past four decades, since her Foundation Art Course at the Ulster University, either ‘procrastinating, or putting blockades in the way of producing artwork’.
She said: “I had a very self-critical narrative in my head because of what I saw as my chaotic approach to everything in life.”
Louise praised the support of local artist Carla Hodgson and Marianne Kennerley, of Boom Studios, in helping her bring together an exhibition of her work earlier this year.
However, Louise explained her recent ADHD referral was a ‘penny drop moment’.
“What clicked most for me in the last year, is just accepting the fact that I operate differently from those who I looked at around me who seem to be successful artists.
“I’m never too sure about labels because they have pros and cons, but my GP did recently refer me for an ADHD diagnosis, which has been like a penny drop moment.”
Said Louise: “Accepting that I might have a way of being that’s different but not ‘lesser’ not ‘useless’ or ‘inadequate’, has been a shocking relief for me, and made it easier to accept who I am and the chaotic way that I live, with so many plates spinning at once.
“Instead of being self-critical about it all, I’m starting to just let myself be the chaotic, disorganised person that can find a wee bit of time to paint, and that’s okay. Maybe that’s normal for somebody with ADHD or maybe it’s just me.
“And of course then as you build connections through art classes, you start to discover that so many other people you’ve known for years have the same kind of struggles as yourself, and that’s very helpful too. You can learn so much through a casual chat in an art class.”
Louise went on to say: “We’re calling this show ‘Art Is Good For You’ because Emma and I are encouraging people to find the local art classes, and get involved and connected to community through art.
“In recent years Bangor has had an explosion in art making opportunities from Boom Studios, to Seacourt Print Workshop, through evening classes at SERC, to art clubs and classes like Emma’s.
“Come and join us on Saturday 25 July from 2pm to 4pm in the Curve Gallery and follow us for updates on @emmabringscolour and @portraits_ni for Louise.”
