Imagine Together: Arts Unlocked with Cancer Connect NI is a virtual festival of visual, musical and literary art which will be streamed via the Facebook page of Hambly & Hambly Gallery at Dunbar House, Enniskillen this Saturday (August 1).

From 3pm to 5.30pm on Saturday afternoon, viewers will be treated to a range of musical forms to awake the senses and poetry to move the soul performed in the gallery space against the backdrop of an amazing and extensive new collection of visual art by established and emerging artists.

Ciara Hambly, who jointly owns Hambly & Hambly Gallery with her husband Nick Hambly, said: “We are thrilled to launch virtually in Imagine Together: Arts Unlocked, a celebration of all art forms. The gallery hosts an exhibition of astounding artworks of more than 1,000 by one hundred plus worldwide artists from Canada to Russia, collected during lockdown in our Imagine initiative. Performances on the day include five musical contributions from talented national artists of all genres and poetry recitals by seven gifted wordsmiths. The Imagine initiative embraces equally established and emerging artists of all genres.”

The arts break free from lockdown with the opening of a visual exhibition at Hambly & Hambly Gallery, featuring works by artists from across the world. The exhibition, co-curated by Ciara and Sinead Smyth, launches in the physical gallery and virtually with an online exhibition compiled by ‘Made In Trenbania’. An art auction will also take place as part of this special event.

“The events on the day will be filmed and live streamed by Niall Bogue Productions and the virtual exhibition of visual art curated by myself and Sinead will be launched at 5pm by our long-standing partners ‘Made In Trenbania’. We are delighted to be supported by the energy and expertise of Noelle McAlinden,” said Ciara, adding:

“Hambly & Hambly welcome the opportunity to be collaborating with Cancer Connect NI promoting the importance of arts, creativity and health and well-being at our dedicated virtual art auction.We are grateful to the generosity of both talented artists and performers participating and a special thanks all those who have contributed to the organisation of this event.”

“‘Imagine Together: Arts Unlocked’ is a truly collaborative and inspiring initiative...virtually soaring in a socially distanced land: putting Enniskillen firmly on the global Arts map!” Ciara concluded.

Breda McGrenaghan, Chairwoman of Cancer Connect NI commented: “Cancer Connect NI is delighted to be the chosen Charity by Hambly & Hambly and the recipient of a percentage of funds raised through their forthcoming ‘Imagine Together’ online art auction at Hambly & Hambly on August 1.”

“The Cancer Connect Team would like to express our sincere thanks to Ciara and Nick Hambly, and Noelle McAlinden, we wish all participating and exhibiting artists and performers every success for a very unique ‘Imagine Together’ virtual exhibition launch and auction with guest performances to enjoy,” said Breda.

Donations can be made to Cancer Connect NI via the following link -

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hamblyandhamblyimaginetogether.

Noelle McAlinden, Creative Adviser, Artist, Curator and Arts Activist noted that the arts can play a major role in “our physical, mental and emotional well-being throughout our own and each others lives”.

She continued: “This has been even more evident during Covid-19. The importance of self expression and creativity can never be underestimated. Artists and Performers need ongoing opportunities to exhibit, perform and share their gifts to inspire others and generate income.

Noelle commented that this initiative has provided the perfect opportunity to, thanks to the initiative of Hambly & Hambly and creative use of technology, profile talent of visual as well as performing artists to a local and global audience.

“A welcome opportunity to inspire, celebrate, collaborate and invest in artists and performers as well as support a local charity Cancer Connect NI at a very significant time,” concluded Noelle.

“This event is a celebration of art sustaining life and the importance of creativity in lockdown, emerging tentatively from lockdown with spirit and soul in this online festival of art,” Ciara told this newspaper.