FOR the past 18 months, a collaborative creative relay has been taking place throughout Cork.

Facilitated by Schull-based textile artist Julia Zagar, the project began with a collage done by the late Alyn Fenn. The piece was handed over to a creative who knew nothing of its provenance, and they were tasked with responding to it through the written word. Their response was then anonymously handed over to a visual artist to likewise respond to. This process continued, alternating between writers, and visual artists and craftspeople.

The relay has now come to the end and just before the official opening, the participants will view whole collection together for first time and observe the exciting and thought-provoking creative journey that they have been on.

The public is invited to attend the official opening at 5pm on Friday March 27th and to experience the innovative approach to a group exhibition - finding the common thread that runs through the prose, poetry, plays and songs, through paintings, stained glass, jewellery, sculpture and prints.

Julia said: ‘The concept behind this was to push artists out of their comfort zones, to stimulate them in a new way, to create a community and connection through different media and processes.’

The show will run for a week and it is advised that the public give themselves time to fully immerse themselves in the creative odyssey. At time of print, none of the participating artists know who else has been involved, so no artist details are available. It is safe to say that the quality and standard of work presented is second to none.

Thank you to Marie Cullen and Paul Ó Comáin of the Working Artists Studio for facilitating the exhibition and for their expert guidance in bringing the project to completion. The gallery is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm.