IF you do down to the woods in St Columb’s Park or Kilfennan Park this St Patrick’s Day the eagle eyed among you might find more than you bargained for among the trees.
For hidden in the Waterside parks is a network of Fairy Dwellings developed by local artist Denzil Browne.
The project is part of the line-up for Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Spring Carnival celebraTions which includes artist led initiatives, online content and neighbourhood focused activity.
“The North West Carnival Initiative were looking for alternatives to the parade this year that would still generate excitement and I was delighted that this was chosen as one of them,” explained Denzil who is a Photography and Moving Image lecturer at the North West Regional College.
“I hope it will provide some excitement and give people a lift during the difficult times we are going through.
“We’re installing the houses on trees in St Columb’s Park and Kilfennan Park and there is some great detail in them like chimneys and doors that should captivate people.
“The challenge is for families to go to the venues and find the little villages we have made.”
Denzil and wife Martha had developed quite a reputation around the city for their elaborate and imaginative Halloween costumes, so much so that they were recruited by In Your Space to get involved in their Halloween presentations.
“My wife and I absolutely go to town at Halloween,” he said.
“The North West Carnival Initiative noticed us and asked us to get involved in making props and costumes for the parade and I went on to be part of some of the In Your Space performances at the Festival.
“I first did the Fairy Houses two years ago for St Patrick’s Day at the Peace Garden at the Guildhall, they were made from two feet tall tree trunks with miniature furniture and food.
“The kids were fascinated and it was very rewarding to see them flocking in and marvelling at them – I’m really looking forward to seeing their reactions this time around!”
This year’s Spring Carnival programme includes a vast range of online content, including many events for Irish Language Week which is currently taking place and will finish on St Patrick’s Day.
On March 16th, Council is working with partners on the virtual Destination Derry – Connecting with Home event which will see our diaspora living in all corners of the world come together to enjoy our shared history and love of this time of year, with conversation, music, culture and lots of entertainment.
These are just a few of the highlights, for more information on all the highlights of this year’s programme go to www.derrystrabane.com/insideout.
Tags: