Menu     Menu Close Menu

Inspiring creativity and encouraging personal and social change through the arts

The Prison Arts Foundation is as important as it is unique. Thanks to our pioneering work with people with convictions lives are being transformed and patterns of behaviour changed for good.

Our team of experienced professional artists working across the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland are offering people with convictions a life-line, helping to improve their creative and communications skills, which is key to personal and social development, building self-confidence and unlocking people’s potential.

Read more about us

The Mythologies of Me

2019 exhibition at Mount Stewart, National Trust

Curated by PAF artists in residence and staff from Mount Stewart

Launch date: Thursday 21st November 5:00pm by invitation only

Opened by Neil Watt, House & Collections Manager Mount Stewart

Exhibition – Central Hall

Open to the general public: House open Thurs to Sunday 11am-3pm – November 2019 to February 2020

Portaferry Road, Newtownards BT22 2AD

Building on the partnerships developed last year in the delivery of an exciting programme of arts and culture celebrating ‘Faces of Change: Votes for Women’ the National Trust has once again partnered with local community groups in the creation of an art installation inspired by symbolism and legacy at Mount Stewart.

‘The Mythologies of Me’ is a show of works by Acorn Women’s Group and Strangford Integrated College supported with funding from Ards and North Down Borough Council. Inspired by the creativity of Edith Marchioness of Londonderry (1878-1959) and the place of Mount Stewart, the works of art reflect an expression of each individual’s life and personality – their personal mythology.

Neil Watt, House and Collections Manager at Mount Stewart explains further:

“Edith, Marchioness of Londonderry utilised art and sculpture to express her multifaceted personality, leaving behind a personal collection that is as rich and diverse as the woman herself. Inspired by this legacy of symbolism and imagery at Mount Stewart which Edith drew from both Celtic and Classical mythology, we have been delighted to work with these two community partners to develop The Mythologies of Me’ exhibition, symbolically placed in the Central Hall, the heart of Edith’s home.”

Working with ceramicist and potter Sean Lawlor, Acorn Women’s Group from Belfast have made tiles which express their own lives, passions and personal identities.  Collaborating with artists Lucy Turner and Susan Robinson, Year 10 students at Strangford Integrated College, Carrowdore have created models inspired by the shapes and themes of Mount Stewart and embellished them as expressions of their own interests and talents.

Speaking at the launch of the exhibition, Tammi Peek, Volunteering & Partnerships Manager at Mount Stewart said:

“We have put the exhibition in the Central Hall at Mount Stewart, the heart of the house, not just because it illustrates how important our community partnerships are to us, but also because the artwork deserves to be shown off. It has been wonderful working with both groups and seeing how Mount Stewart and the legacy of Edith, Lady Londonderry has inspired and shaped their work. Everyone is welcome here and I hope that seeing this exhibition in such a magnificent setting will inspire our visitors to dig deeper into the treasure trove of stories, art and creativity which makes this place so special.”