Creative Sessions

We're running free creative sessions in Liverpool for Irish heritage women to explore identity, culture, memory and migration as part of the St Brigid's Arms project. This is open to any and all Irish heritage women. All levels of experience are welcome - no experiene is necessary.

Over 5 sessions (either daytime or evening) you will be guided by the facilitator on creatively expressing your identity in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Please only sign up if you can make 4-5 of the sessions as you will be building on your work from previous weeks.

See below for information about the artform and facilitators.

All materials will be provided, as well as refreshments. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us on emeraldlensinfo@gmail.com.

More information about the facilitator and art form will be announced shortly.

Session dates and times:

Evening sessions - Mondays at 7-9pm: Ceramic brooch-making with artist Maeve Thompson

22nd September
29th September
6th October
13th October
20th October

Daytime sessions - Mondays at 10.30am-12.30pm: Movement with artist and dancer Maria Malone

3rd November
10th November
17th November
24th November
1st December

Meet the facilitators

Maeve Thompson is an Irish artist and writer, from and based in the North-West of England. Their practice is underpinned by intricate connections between memory, culture, and the fragmented diasporic identity.

Maria Malone grew up in Birmingham dancing to the music of the Irish community and the diverse communities of that city. She graduated in Performing Arts & Arts Management, DeMontfort University. She has danced around the world including in Bollywood Films, Brazilian Carnivals, Capoeira rodas and Irish Céilis and she aims to bring the joy of these experiences to her classes, choreography and creative projects. For the past 16 years I have run an award winning company, Movema, improving exciting world dance opportunities for people experiencing barriers to dance, working with communities of all ages, abilities and backgrounds. In addition, she is a céilí caller, singer, sean-nós dancer & bodhran player working with Saltcutters Dance Band, lead by Mikey Kenney.

St Brigid's Arms project

This is a new project capturing untold stories of Irish women in the UK starting January 2025 until February 2027.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund backs ambitious project using creative approach to capture UK-based Irish women’s stories

A groundbreaking new project has been launched by female-led organisation Emerald LENS CIC to document the experiences of women of Irish heritage in the UK. Supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and match funding from the University of Liverpool’s Institute of Irish Studies, the initiative will run until February 2027, combining creative workshops and exhibitions to preserve stories that might otherwise be lost.

Creative Sessions in Liverpool - St Brigid's Arms project