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WIGAN’S second disability arts festival has
been hailed a success.
Disability groups from across Wigan and Leigh descended on Fred
Longworth High School, Tyldesley on Thursday night to perform in the
DIS:PATCHES programme.
But it wasn’t just about showcasing some of the best talent around…it
was also an opportunity!
Vicky Fletcher, Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s Arts Development
Officer explained: “DIS:PATCHES 09 was about raising awareness of
disability arts but it also has another side to it.
“It’s also about addressing issues such as equality, diversity and
access through the arts.
“These quite hard hitting messages are incorporated into the
performances because the arts create a safe environment for people to
express their feelings in a way that doesn’t require writing or even
speaking, allowing people with severe physical and mental disabilities
to have a voice.
Last year’s inaugural event – called Perceptions – centred around themes
such as access and stereotypes.
The consultation and work as part of Perceptions formed the basis of a
document and film which was shown at this year’s event and will also be
distributed to key stakeholders including Wigan Leisure and Culture
Trust, Wigan Council and other partners to help identify how
improvements in services can be made.
This year’s festival attracted interest from across the north west
including support from leading disability art organisations.
Watched by a packed audience more than 100 performers took part during
the night expressing their concerns and issues through dance, acting and
film.
An exhibition of works by adults attending Broadmead Day Centre in
Golborne will be shown at the Turnpike Gallery, Leigh between 30th
November and 11th December as part of the festival.
The exhibition focuses on the borough’s mining history and local
heritage.
-ends-
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust: Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust is a
charitable trust working on behalf of Wigan Council to manage and
support leisure and cultural facilities, initiatives and events for over
300,000 residents in the Wigan Borough. See
www.wlct.org
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