Photography Exhibition Showcases the Power of Creativity to Build Connections Across Communities

A photography exhibition celebrating the achievements of participants from the PEACEPLUS Common Ground project and ’Housing for All’ programme was held in the Long Gallery at Stormont on Friday 4 September, highlighting how arts and culture can bring people together and foster positive community relationships. The Common Ground project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body, (SEUPB).

The Capturing Movement Through Photography exhibition brought together participants from the Women’s Centre, WAVE Omagh, Newtownstewart Centre 2000 and Sion Mills Community Forum to showcase the work they created as part of a unique cross-community photography programme.

Sponsored by Thomas Buchanan MLA, a member of the ‘Housing for All’ Advisory Group, the event welcomed community participants, project partners, elected representatives and stakeholders to view the exhibition and celebrate the impact of the programme.

The Exhibition showcased photography from both the Common Ground programme, a cross-border integration programme led by the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA), a project supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s ‘Housing for All’ programme, both initiatives promote peace, inclusion, understanding and positive community relations.

Guests heard from a number of speakers including Seamus Leheny, NIFHA; Josh Schultz, Community Arts Partnership; Deirdre Robb, Chief Executive of Belfast Exposed; and Andrew Patton from Sion Mills Community Forum. Speakers reflected on the role that creativity, culture and shared experiences can play in building connections between people from different backgrounds.

Throughout the programme, participants explored creativity, culture and personal expression through photography, capturing images that reflected their experiences, perspectives and the connections formed during the project. The exhibition demonstrated how arts-based activities can provide opportunities for people to engage with one another, learn from different experiences and develop meaningful relationships.

Speaking at the event, Seamus Leheny (NIFHA) highlighted the importance of initiatives such as Common Ground and  ‘Housing for All’ in creating opportunities for people to come together in positive and meaningful ways. He praised the participants for their creativity and commitment and acknowledged the contribution of delivery partners Community Arts Partnership and Belfast Exposed in making the project a success.

The Capturing Movement Through Photography project was delivered in partnership with Community Arts Partnership and Belfast Exposed, whose expertise supported participants throughout the course and helped bring the exhibition to life.

The exhibition forms part of a wider programme of activities being delivered through both the Common Ground project and the ‘Housing for All’ programme, which will include cross-border heritage, cultural and arts initiatives, accredited training opportunities, capacity-building programmes and showcase events over the coming years.

The shared housing programme in Sion Mills is supported by the Department for Communities and the Housing Executive’s ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme.

The Programme has its origins in the NI Executive Together: Building a United Community Strategy which reflects the Executive’s commitment to improving community relations and continuing the journey towards a more united and shared society.  £2.9 has been invested in the Melmount Road shared housing development and associated five-year Good Relations Plan”.

Rural Housing Association currently has two shared housing developments across Northern Ireland.

The Melmount Road shared housing development’s Good Relations Plan includes Bridging/Bonding/Learning events which are delivered to the wider community to encourage a range of good relations outcomes which include health & wellbeing project, youth projects, and heritage programmes. Rural Housing Association continues to work in partnership with a local Advisory Group, stakeholders, and with residents to develop the scheme’s Good Relations Plan.

PEACEPLUS is co-funded by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive