Greater Shantallow Community Arts celebrates the life of Amelia Earhart

31/08/2007

There was a buzz around the North West recently as Greater Shantallow Community Arts hosted their first Earhart Festival at Ballyarnett Park. The event was organized to mark the 75th anniversary of world famous aviator Amelia Earhart’s first female solo transatlantic flight from Newfoundland to Gallaghers Pasture at Ballyarnett in May 1932.

This fun-filled family festival was one of a series of Arts Council supported events to celebrate the life and journeys of Amelia Earhart. The festival coincided with the production of a graphic novel by local artist Joe Campbell and writer Felicity McCall. The novel has been produced by Greater Shantallow Community Arts and recounts Earhart’s journey which put Derry in the annals of aviation history.

Edel Murphy, Community Arts Development Officer, Arts Council, said, “Greater Shantallow is a vital asset to the Community Arts sector. The organization has made a significant contribution to arts led projects and is supporting the Arts Council in its vision to place the arts at the heart of social, economic and creative life in Northern Ireland.”

Oliver Green, Arts Director, Greater Shantallow Community Arts, said, “We are delighted at the success of these projects. We will continue to raise the profile of Community Arts in the North West area and I hope our work to date will draw attention to the impact that art has in creating a welcoming environment for all.”

To find out more about Greater Shantallow Community Arts activities click here.