Clúid Housing Association is set to unveil a new and innovative project to the people of Kerry in the Department of Tourism, Culture & Sport in Killarney on Friday, July 2nd. The art project, an exhibition entitled “Home” by Clare based artist Sara Foust, was commissioned to reflect the meaning of ‘Home’ as described by the tenants residing at Clúid’s Sheltered Housing Scheme at Holy Cross Gardens, Killarney. This moving and thought provoking exhibition will be launched by Micheál O’ Muircheartaigh on Friday, July 2nd and will run until August 12th when a ‘Giving Ceremony’ will take place, where each resident will be presented with the painting that reflects their story and a book detailing each of the stories and paintings exhibited.
Ms. Foust has spent two years working on this community art project with the residents of the 45 unit development at Holy Cross Gardens, which offers a safe and secure environment for the 52 tenants residing there. The exhibition, and a publication detailing the work, narrates through paintings the stories which were told to Sara by the Holy Cross Gardens residents.
Construction of Phase 1 (36 bungalows) of Holy Cross Gardens was completed in 2002 and Phase 2 (9 bungalows) in 2008. Holy Cross Gardens is one of 11 Sheltered Housing Schemes which Clúid has developed around the country. Clúid aims to provide older people with an attractive housing option for their mature years, allowing those who live in inappropriate, sub-standard and sometimes rurally isolated accommodation, to move to high quality, and purpose built accommodation for independent living. Each of Clúid’s Sheltered Housing schemes has an on-site staff member, whose role it is to maximise the comfort and security of residents, while still ensuring independent living for the tenants. Clúid tenants are drawn from the local authority waiting list and are charged an affordable rent based on their income.
Sheltered Housing, which is seen as a relatively new concept in Ireland, brings individuals of similar age together to live in an environment which, not only caters for their housing needs, but also their social needs within the community. At Holy Cross Gardens activities like bingo, coffee mornings and exercise classes, as well as arts based activities, are provided for the residents allowing them to integrate and keep active in their daily lives. According to Clúid Housing Manager, Gavin Donaldson, schemes like Holy Cross Gardens will become an increasingly popular choice among the older population in the coming years. “Our schemes offer the choice of a new life and home to people who are often living in inappropriate accommodation. Having artists like Sara become involved adds an amazing emotional and creative aspect to schemes like Holy Cross Gardens. It becomes about the people, their lives and opportunities and not just about a housing development. We are delighted with this innovative collaboration.”
This marriage of community art and Sheltered Housing gives a new meaning to both public art and social housing. Artist Sara Foust believes this is a new form of public art which is often overlooked in society; “I was delighted to be commissioned to do this project. Working with Clúid and the tenants of Holy Cross Gardens has been a life changing experience for me as an artist. “Home” is about a conversation, a feeling, a moment in these people’s lives and I was inspired by all their stories which are reflected in my work. This exhibition is a new form of public art, which can be overlooked in the art world, but one which is extremely important in bringing society and the art world together.”
The exhibition is open to the public from July 2nd to August 12th at the Department of Tourism, Culture & Sport in Killarney. The exhibition will remain open to the public Tuesdays from 3pm to 5.30pm until 10th August inclusive and by appointment on 064 6627335.