On Saturday 31st May, 2025 - the Tudor Artisan Hub is presenting a series of Creative Activism Connections - Multi-Media Events in the Audio Visual Room in the Ormond Castle, Carrick-on-Suir in collaboration with Margaret O'Brien, Writing Changes Lives.
This creative mixed-media initiative in the Cultural Quarters, enhancing the tourism offering in Carrick-on-Suir, is brought to you in partnership with. www.stayincarrick.com
Uniting Creativity and Activism: A Journey through Transatlantic Connections. Join us for an inspiring series of events celebrating the power of creativity in activism. Discover the "Creative Activism Connections" where innovation, artistic expression, and transatlantic community engagement come together to spark change and foster meaningful dialogue.
Date: Saturday 31st May, 2025 Location: Ormond Castle, Carrick-on-Suir Adm: €5 ea or 3 events for €10
Pre Booking Required. To Book contact: Tudor Artisan Hub, 42 Main St., Carrick-on-Suir E32 FW66
Tel: 086 2560609 or 051 640921
Online Booking: www.ticketsource.com/tudor-artisan-hub. Opt for 'Bundle Package' - to book all 3 Events
Event 1 - From 11:00AM - 12:00PM
"The Evolution of a Story, a multi-media creative experience" with writer and filmmaker Rehan Ali.
About the Event: ‘The story’ is about a child who spent 10 years growing up in Bridgewater House, a Direct Provision hostel located on Main Street in Carrick-on-Suir (2005-2015). The story began as an essay, then found its voice as a short story. Next, it learned to speak visually as a short film, and now, it breathes fully as a feature script. One story, many lives. Now experience its growth in real time.
About the Event: ‘The story’ is about a child who spent 10 years growing up in Bridgewater House, a Direct Provision hostel located on Main Street in Carrick-on-Suir (2005-2015). The story began as an essay, then found its voice as a short story. Next, it learned to speak visually as a short film, and now, it breathes fully as a feature script. One story, many lives. Now experience its growth in real time.
Witness the unfolding of one story, experienced through layers of conversation, reading, film, and live performance. This unique exploration culminates in a significant moment: the very first glimpse of its fully realized form as a feature film script.
There will also be a very special memory visual component - illustrations through the eyes of a
child/young teen with visual artist Sheila Wood.
child/young teen with visual artist Sheila Wood.
Afternoon Events in collaboration with Margaret O’Brien, Writing Changes Lives Writers’ Collective.
In early 2020 Margaret O’Brien, of ‘Writing Changes Lives’, joined an international online writing community, unaware how much of a creative lifeline this would very soon become. Very soon afterwards the norms of the world quickly turned upside down with the start of the Covid pandemic. Eight women, a small subgroup within the larger online group, formed a particular bond, found common purpose and became the Crows. Over the past 5 years these eight writers have met weekly online, shared writing daily, and much else, have supported and inspired each other through successes and setbacks. In summer 2023 all 8 women met for the first time in real life in Canada and deepened their friendship further.
This summer, the entire group are coming to Ireland for a week, some on their first visit here. On Saturday, 31st May two of the writers, Joann Malone (US) and Kathy Karn (Canada), will feature at the 'Creative Activism Connections' Event at the magnificent 16th century Ormond Castle, Carrick-on-Suir. Through their own unique experiences and skills they will share their different approaches to addressing issues of local and global relevance; how there are many ways in which creative activism has the potential to inspire change for the better in the world. Joann writes on racism and social justice and Kathy is a photographer who writes about wildlife conservation.
This summer, the entire group are coming to Ireland for a week, some on their first visit here. On Saturday, 31st May two of the writers, Joann Malone (US) and Kathy Karn (Canada), will feature at the 'Creative Activism Connections' Event at the magnificent 16th century Ormond Castle, Carrick-on-Suir. Through their own unique experiences and skills they will share their different approaches to addressing issues of local and global relevance; how there are many ways in which creative activism has the potential to inspire change for the better in the world. Joann writes on racism and social justice and Kathy is a photographer who writes about wildlife conservation.
More about Margaret O'Brien here
Event 2 - From 3.00PM - 4.00PM
"The Power of Love: How a Nun Became a Revolutionary" with Joann Malone, USA.
A conversation with writer Margaret O’Brien, captured on film by the Tudor Artisan Hub.
A conversation with writer Margaret O’Brien, captured on film by the Tudor Artisan Hub.
Joann Malone (US)
We have to be the voice of courage, of standing up, saying NO to what we see as wrong. We were "made for these times," shaped by all our life experiences. We don’t need to do it alone, to be isolated. We need one another, just as I’ve experienced all my life. I need others like me, with similar fears, hopes, and vision. I need to laugh, to play, to be with those who love me and whom I love. We all need others.
We have to be the voice of courage, of standing up, saying NO to what we see as wrong. We were "made for these times," shaped by all our life experiences. We don’t need to do it alone, to be isolated. We need one another, just as I’ve experienced all my life. I need others like me, with similar fears, hopes, and vision. I need to laugh, to play, to be with those who love me and whom I love. We all need others.
I'd like to share the story of how I came from strong communities in the 1960's as a young nun who became a felon protesting the war in Vietnam and Dow Chemical's production of napalm. Hopefully, the story of the DC9 action against the war and Dow will inspire young people today to creatively resist official madness and build similar strong communities of hope, resilience, and love. In challenging times like the present, we need LOVE and COMMUNITY more.
(This is the Public Broadcasting station piece done just 2 years ago. 6 min)
(My granddaughter Annelise's 9 min film).
Event 3 - From 4:30PM - 5:30PM
A visual presentation – "The Wisdom of Elephants: Let your passion and your creativity fuel your activism" - with Kathy Karn.
Kathy Karn is an award-winning photographer, author, and conservationist whose work bridges the worlds of art, wildlife advocacy, and personal transformation. With 38 years of experience as a trauma therapist, Kathy brings a unique blend of empathy and insight to her photography, focusing on resilience, beauty, and the interconnectedness of all life. Her journey as a photographer has taken her across the globe, but it is her deep connection with African elephants that has most profoundly shaped her artistic and personal vision as seen in her photo memoir book The Wisdom of Elephants.
Kathy’s approach to photography is rooted in compassion and curiosity. Her images and stories remind readers of the goodness and beauty in the world, highlighting the profound connections between people and nature. She is motivated by the belief that “when we care, we’re more inclined to protect,” and hopes her stories and images inspire others to take steps toward making the world a better place.
Kathy’s images have appeared in articles, annual reports, and press releases such as The Guardian, Africa Geographic, The Sarara Foundation, Save Giraffes Now and Wildlife Direct. Kathy lives in Southern Ontario, Canada.
