A large-scale mural of an owl was "coloured in" earlier this evening in Co Sligo as part of a special project to mark National Volunteering Week.
The art installation is a collaboration between Sligo Volunteer Centre & Branching Out Art CLG at the Nest, Custom House Quay, Sligo.
The theme of National Volunteering Week 2023 is Connecting Communities.
Ciara Herity, Manager of Sligo Volunteer Centre explains: "It's all about celebrating the power of volunteering to enrich our communities, bridge social divides and create opportunities for social connection.
"We have a team of volunteers who all call Sligo home, but who have come here from countries such as South Africa, Ukraine, Zimbabwe, Sudan and Nigeria. They all came together today 'colour in' The Owl."
"Sligo has a diverse population and new arrivals are excited to get involved in local communities and projects.
"Volunteering is a great way for people to meet others from all walks of life and for some it can be stepping stones to build up experience for work, get references and build confidence."
The group has been involved in many volunteering projects around Sligo including Tidy Towns and the In My Shoes Project, which sorts donated shoes for South African townships.
The owl is on display on the wall of the Branching Out arts centre, at The Nest on Custom House Quay.
Local Sligo Artist David Coleman Harte and Branching Out Artistic Director Brian Francis Devaney curated the project. Brian says it will be the first of many.
He says: "Once the owl mural is coloured in, it will be on display for some time before it's washed away by ourselves or the elements! Then the mural will be ready for the next group to come & do their version of the Owl!
"We will be documenting and photographing each groups version of the Owl to display at a forthcoming exhibition in The Nest.
"It is a lovely opportunity here today to come together, have fun and take part in a community activity. People chat as they work, sharing stories and for some here today, it's a chance to practice English. Once language skills improve, it opens up more opportunities."
The mural was created by brothers, Kevin & Páraic McGloughlin and the project was supported by Creative Ireland & Sligo County Council.
