Engagement & Collaborative Practice
Creative Engagement Services
Ruairiadh O’Connell’s artistic practice is deeply rooted in collaborative, community-centred engagement. My work is dedicated to creating spaces where diverse voices can express their lived experiences, often those that are underrepresented or marginalised. By weaving visual perception, storytelling, and artmaking, I facilitate opportunities for personal reflection, connection, and growth.
Drawing from over 15 years of experience working with leading institutions, healthcare organisations, and community groups, I specialise in designing tailored workshops, creative programs, and exhibitions. These projects are crafted to explore and respond to individual and collective narratives, providing participants with the tools to engage deeply with their own stories and aspirations. I invite organisations, academic institutions, and community groups to collaborate in projects that emphasise inclusivity, healing, and transformation through art.
Services I Offer:
Tailored Art Workshops: Designed to explore identity, personal growth, and cultural narratives, using diverse materials and techniques such as casting, metalwork, painting, and printmaking.
Community-Centred Art Programs: Initiatives developed with a focus on sensory engagement, reflective practice, and dialogue—particularly suited for healthcare, educational, and social service organisations.
Curated Exhibitions and Installations: Custom exhibitions that amplify voices often left unheard, integrating themes of resilience, empathy, and renewal.
Technical and Artistic Facilitation: Skills in various mediums, including casting, 3D printing, and woodworking, printmaking, offered in practical, accessible sessions that encourage hands-on learning and creative problem-solving.
Consultation and Creative Direction: I provide guidance to organisations seeking to integrate art into community projects, offering insights on building meaningful connections through art in ways that foster personal and social change.
Participant Reflection & Feedback: Gathering testimonials and reflections from participants throughout and after the completion of projects. This provides direct insights into how the experience has affected their understanding of identity, art, and the intersection with health and social issues.
Through a responsive approach to each project, I create impactful experiences that bridge art, consciousness, and social awareness. Whether working with healthcare professionals, museum staff, community leaders, or educators, my goal is to foster deeper understanding and mutual respect through collaborative, meaningful engagement.
Contact
If you’re interested in exploring a creative engagement project, or would like to discuss how my approach could benefit your organisation or community, please get in touch.