Launch of ‘The Whirlwind And The Path’: A Learner Photovoice Exhibition

On Friday 30th June 2023, An Cosán launch ‘The Whirlwind And The Path’: A Learner Photovoice Exhibition, which draws together a collection of photographs taken by An Cosán learners.

• Doors open 1.00pm | Lunch offered between 1.15 and 2.00pm
• Exhibition Launch 2.00pm to 4.00pm
• Venue: Russell Centre, Tallaght Cross West, Dublin 24

Register to attend here

Launch of ‘The Whirlwind And The Path’: A Learner Photovoice Exhibition

The Whirlwind and The Path: A Learner Photovoice Exhibition draws together a collection of photographs taken by An Cosán learners on the Certificate in Personal and Professional Development, each accompanied by a narrative piece from the learner explaining the significance of the image and how it connects to and illuminates their experience of participating on the Certificate programme. The exhibition shares their motivations, the challenges they experience, the role of supports, as well as the impact of their participation. Learners raised issues such as racism, substance use, bereavement, migration, domestic violence, learning difficulties, bullying, homelessness, and mental health. Powerful stories of being open to and embracing change also emerge, and throughout their narratives, the learners’ courage, resilience, tenacity, curiosity, and hunger to learn shine through.

The Whirlwind and The Path exhibition aims to acknowledge and celebrate An Cosán’s lifelong learning community and to encourage participation in adult community education. It further aims to showcase An Cosán’s Linked Provision with SETU Carlow in the context of National Access Policy and the newly emerging unified tertiary system.

Background to the Exhibition

An Cosán recently partnered with South East Technological University on the ‘Higher Education Pathway for Non-Traditional Learners’ project to create a new, flexible, and digitally inclusive third-level award, responsive to the needs of marginalised adult learners and to the future world of work and lifelong learning. Over two years, 50 adult learners engaged in the resulting Certificate in Personal and Professional Development (NFQ Level 6). As part of this Certificate programme, learners were invited to participate in a Photovoice Research Project. Photovoice is a creative, participatory research method that combines photographic images and text to present individual perspectives. In this project, adult learners from communities across Ireland used photos and narratives to offer us their unique accounts about their lifelong learning pathways, the challenges they experience, as well as the influences in learners’ lives that have helped them along the way. The Whirlwind and The Path exhibition is the outcome of this photovoice research process involving researcher-educators from An Cosán and adult learners.

We look forward to welcoming you to the launch of the exhibition at Russell Centre in Tallaght on Friday 30th June. For further information, please contact Yasmin on y.kutub@ancosan.ie

This exhibition is hosted by An Cosán in partnership with South East Technological University. The Higher Education Pathway for Non-Traditional Learners Project is supported by the Higher Education Authority under its Higher Education System Innovation and Transformation Call 2018.

Food will be provided by Cooking for Freedom.

About Cooking for Freedom

Cooking for Freedom are individuals in the international protection process, building community with food activities. We are a group of refugees in Direct Provision hostels in Ireland. We want to cook for ourselves and our families. Currently we can only eat the canteen food provided by the hostels. For years at a time. Cooking together gives us a real focus in our lives. We have access to two kitchens on an occasional basis

Visit them on Website: http://cookingforfreedom.ie/

Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cookingforfreedom/