Connecting Artists Collective – Group Exhibition – University of Atypical

Atypical Gallery, University of Atypical for Arts and Disability, 109 – 113 Royal
Avenue, Belfast, BT1 1FF

administration@universityofatypical.org

Connecting Artists Collective – Group Exhibition

Thursday 7 August – Wednesday 27 August 2025

Connections Arts Centre (CAC) is a not-for-profit social enterprise that supports neurodivergent adults, including adults with learning disabilities, in Ireland. CAC exists to enhance inclusivity and empowerment by tackling inequalities faced by disabled people, by providing accessible and innovative training, arts, and community education programmes. These specialised programmes cater to and support diverse learning requirements, ensuring that barriers to inclusion and participation for the disability community are overcome.

Connecting Artists Programme & Collective: This national annual initiative pairs artists who are neurodivergent or have an intellectual disability with mentors and nurtures their creative development and visibility. The programme leads to an exhibition at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Once participants completethe programme they can join the

Connecting Artists Collective, a platform for continued support and artistic growth.
The collective facilitates artistic expression, skill-sharing, and collaboration. It has held notable exhibitions including at the prestigious Royal Hibernian Academy.
Exhibiting artists: Evan McLoughlin, Rachel Connell, Pamela Kavanagh, Martin Carolan, Marta Soltysek, John Heavey, Claudia Williams, Bearnard Durnin, Ava Lawlor, Amy Begley, Alan Tarpey, Thomas Higgins, Brian Kennedy, David Singleton, Michael Hade, Matthew Sexton, Jennifer Humphreys, Peter Kehoe, Sarah McNulty, Rachel Coen, Jenny Stafford, Kristin Reynado Suniega and Tomás Malone.

Cover image: Bouquet from Beyond, Claudia Williams 

For more information visit: www.connectionsartscentre.ie

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Intangible Bodies – Paul Moore

Intangible Bodies presents a projection mapped audio-visual installation, that treats the gallery as an interface, where perception, attention, and internal sensation are made spatial and shareable. The work is encountered through movement and proximity, part screen, part stage, part signal field.

Fócloir Faoi Mhíchumas (A Dictionary of Disability) Workshop

Is ceardlann ealaíon chruthaitheach é Fócloir Faoi Mhíchumas (Disability Dictionary) a dhéanann iniúchadh ar an nGaeilge agus ar mhíchumas. Do scríbhneoirí, do lucht déanta amharclannaíochta, d’fheachtasaithe agus do fhoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge,

twixt – group exhibition

‘twixt takes its name from the notion of being in between, at an interval and interweaving. Recipients of our d/Deaf and Disabled Support Fund grant programme have used the funding to deliver new pathways towards their own goals, some artists pursuing experimental directions or new ambitions – each at their own stage of development and discovery between concept and realisation.
‘twixt showcases the work of some of our twenty d/Deaf and Disabled Artists Support Fund 2025 (DDASF) awardees, including Darlene Corry, Elly Makem, Emma Brennan, Eve Belle, Finn Nichol, Hana Abri Smith, Indigo Azidahaka, Jamie Baker, Jayne Cherry, Kate Guelke, Brian McAvera, Abby Oliveira and Liam Devlin. The exhibition includes ceramics, painting, textiles, music, photography, digital art, spoken word and sculpture.

Intangible Bodies – Paul Moore

Intangible Bodies presents a projection mapped audio-visual installation, that treats the gallery as an interface, where perception, attention, and internal sensation are made spatial and shareable. The work is encountered through movement and proximity, part screen, part stage, part signal field.

Fócloir Faoi Mhíchumas (A Dictionary of Disability) Workshop

Is ceardlann ealaíon chruthaitheach é Fócloir Faoi Mhíchumas (Disability Dictionary) a dhéanann iniúchadh ar an nGaeilge agus ar mhíchumas. Do scríbhneoirí, do lucht déanta amharclannaíochta, d’fheachtasaithe agus do fhoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge,

twixt – group exhibition

‘twixt takes its name from the notion of being in between, at an interval and interweaving. Recipients of our d/Deaf and Disabled Support Fund grant programme have used the funding to deliver new pathways towards their own goals, some artists pursuing experimental directions or new ambitions – each at their own stage of development and discovery between concept and realisation.
‘twixt showcases the work of some of our twenty d/Deaf and Disabled Artists Support Fund 2025 (DDASF) awardees, including Darlene Corry, Elly Makem, Emma Brennan, Eve Belle, Finn Nichol, Hana Abri Smith, Indigo Azidahaka, Jamie Baker, Jayne Cherry, Kate Guelke, Brian McAvera, Abby Oliveira and Liam Devlin. The exhibition includes ceramics, painting, textiles, music, photography, digital art, spoken word and sculpture.

Charys Wilson – Half Light

The work is inspired in part by the practice of forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku: a Japanese tradition of spending quiet, mindful time among trees. Research shows that this kind of intentional time in nature can reduce stress, improve mood, and even boost the immune system.
For many of us this kind of immersive experience can feel out of reach, especially during the colder months or in urban environments. This installation is a way to bring some of those benefits indoors: a moment of calm, light, and quiet connection.