Rural Engagement Arts Programme takes Portico by storm in a showcase celebrating storytelling, poetry and song hailing from the Ards Peninsula
c21 were delighted to present a wonderful showcase event at the stunning Portico of Ards arts centre in Portaferry on the 28th June 2026 to celebrate their 12-week Rural Engagement Arts Programme (REAP), funded by the Arts Council Northern Ireland, in partnership with the Portaferry Recreation Hub.
The programme included weekly sessions from April to June, exploring reminiscence, creative writing, theatre, songwriting and singing. Field recordings and drone footage were also collected to help visualise and underscore participants’ work. The weekly workshops culminated in an evening of song, theatre, poetry, prose, visual art and storytelling in a performance right in the heart of County Down.
Congratulations to Drama Facilitators, Faith Dawson and Stephen Kelly, and Sound Designer, Keith Acheson, as well as all of the participants including Elaine McBratney, Charleen Doran, Susan Patterson, Alan Patterson, Lorna Spence, Kerry Shields, Moira Ritchie and Jamie O’Neill.
