Covid has brought change, clarity and confusion

As part of our series in support of the ‘National Campaign for the Arts’ series, Rosie Cole gives her first hand account of how the pandemic has impacted on their work.

COVID-19 has brought about great change, confusion and clarity for me. Whilst having the extreme speed of the hamster wheel come to a stop, this has given me the space and time to focus and refine my creative expressions.

Having an interest and background in arts and health projects, now more than ever is a time to creatively express. It provides me with the practice to quieten the mind allowing emotions to be processed.

All projects were stopped in March but as time went on various projects that were planned before lockdown and had been paused, continued as planned. Some of the projects I was involved in during this time included a wire mesh workshop which went ahead as a zoom workshop, an arts and health online workshop, the development of willow sculptures for a schools project and a mural design development workshop and mural.

Although this work had to be re-planned and delivered in a different way, I was fortunate that it provided me with an income and that despite the many changes due to the Covid-19 restrictions it gave me hope that work will continue to be presented. Many thanks to: The Creative Schools Initiative, Killygarry School; Cavan Arts Office & the Rural hub; Tom Meskell & The Cavan Arts Office and Tusla.

I feel very blessed in my circumstances but I know this isn’t the case for many artists. I feel passionately that the arts bring great positivity to the creators, viewers and our communities. In a time when sharing has been halted my drive to continue as an artist is stronger than ever. The support of the public and appreciation of the importance of the arts by public bodies at this time has been both encouraging and affirms the importance of arts and culture.

Rosie Cole, a London born artist has been a part of the Irish art scene for 13 years. A painter, sculpture maker and facilitator with a love for nature and its materials. Find her work on instagram @rosiecolearts.