VTOS students of Shanagolden Education Resource Centre are currently running their annual art exhibition entitled “Le Chéile”, in Newcastle West Library. The exhibition is open to the public and displays the works completed by first and second year mature students as part of their QQI Level 5 Painting module.

Vicki Nash of Newcastle West Arts opened the exhibit on Thursday evening last complimenting the students on their work and having the courage to paint and develop creatively ” The exhibition is appropriately titled – you can feel the sense of community, it is very heartening to walk through the display.”

The display includes a variety of media; acrylic, oil pastels and mixed media covering a range of subject matter. VTOS student Anne Maria Lenihan, thanked tutor Maureen Barry Fitzgerald for her encouragement, guidance and patience. ” Le Chéile meaning “togetherness” shows in all the work we produced over the two years. We came together as a group getting to know one another and supported each other in all our learning”.

Eimear Brophy, Adult Education Officer with Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board spoke of the importance of team working skills in employment, which are developed through being creative and learning new skills such as painting and drawing.

Painting and drawing is part of a range of fulltime learning on offer at VTOS Shanagolden, administered by Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board; the curriculum includes computers (beginners and advanced), business, communications and general learning leading to QQI Level 5 Information Processing Award.

Adults over the age of 21 and in receipt of social welfare benefits for at least 6 months are eligible to apply for VTOS, which is a full time programme aimed at up skilling participants for employment or further education. For more information contact 069 60106 or vtos@serc.ie.

VTOS Shanagolden wishes to thank Newcastle West library for hosting the event. Congratulations to everyone involved and especially to all the art students. All pieces on display are for sale at a reasonable price.