Ards and North Down Mayor attends dance and art celebration event at Bangor Aurora

The Bangor Aurora team has marked the culmination of a successful 10-week celebration of dance and art, welcoming Councillor Gillian McCollum, Mayor of Ards and North Down to the final session of this community-focused initiative.

The ‘Celebration of Dance & Art’ was designed to promote health and wellbeing, creativity and movement among the older generation in the borough. Across 10 weeks, participants took part in a series of themed sessions, which combined health and wellbeing talks, dance workshops and art activities.

For the unveiling of the final piece of collaborative artwork produced by participants, the Mayor of Ards and North Down, along with community partners and representatives from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland were in attendance.

Councillor Gillian McCollum, Mayor of Ards and North Down, said:

“It was a pleasure to meet participants and hear about their experiences over the past 10 weeks. Initiatives like this play an important role in bringing people together, helping to build confidence, encourage creativity and support health and wellbeing.

“The artwork unveiled was a wonderful reflection of the friendships, confidence and creativity that have grown over the past 10 weeks. I would like to congratulate everyone involved and thank all the partners who helped make this programme possible.”

Will Carson, Sports Development and Health Manager for NCLT, led some of the educational presentations, he added:

“The initiative aimed to encourage participation in the arts, improve physical and mental wellbeing, build confidence and strengthen social connections within the community.

“It’s important that programmes bring people together through creativity, movement and shared experience as it has a positive experience on those involved both socially and personally. I’d like to thank the Arts Council of Northern Ireland for the funding and making these sessions possible.”

The programme was delivered by Northern Community Leisure Trust (NCLT) in partnership with Boom Studios and funded by Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

The artwork is now on display in the café area at the Aurora, where it can be enjoyed by the wider community.

Bangor Aurora Aquatic & Leisure Complex, Bangor Sportsplex and Queens Leisure Complex are operated by Northern Community Leisure Trust in partnership with Serco Leisure, and on behalf of Ards & North Down Borough Council.