Message from the CEO and Artistic Director; Edel Murphy says: “What Lies Within is an exhibition of work brought to you through a collaboration between three partnering organisations: Art is Collective (Belfast); Connections Arts Centre (Dublin); and Mencap Northern Ireland. These three outstanding organisations deliver programming that develops skills and professional ambition for artists who have a learning or mental health disability.

The work is eclectic and diverse. Each artist has worked independently on their own pieces. There is a common thread of exploration and discovery – uncovering what is seldom seen, the layers beneath, and finding a voice through the arts. The exhibition is called ‘What Lies Within’, as it is from the creative depths that these works have come.”

Exhibiting Organisations

Art is Collective artist studio space is currently located at 2 Royal Avenue in Belfast as an assisted studio model. It is the temporary creative home to nine studio artists who represent a range of learning and mental health disabilities. It operates on an assisted studio model: artists are supported by mentors and facilitators in all aspects of their professional development. There is a strong sense of community and mutual support between artists and mentors which extends beyond the walls of the studio. The artists work individually, but all share, inspire and motivate each other. Connections Arts Centre is a social enterprise working alongside adults living with intellectual disabilities and neurodivergent adults based in Dublin. Artists with disabilities are at the centre of the community as leaders, contributors and cultural producers. The Connecting Artists programme supports neurodivergent adults and adults with disabilities to build confidence, develop skills, and participate more fully in society. The artists in this exhibition have worked with mentors to support their professional development and to work towards this exhibition.