Northern Ireland

Street-scene Exhibition to promote north west diaspora

"A Wintry Day in Brooke Park in the 1960s" by Bridget Murray is one of more than 30 paintings which will feature in the exhibition.
"A Wintry Day in Brooke Park in the 1960s" by Bridget Murray is one of more than 30 paintings which will feature in the exhibition. "A Wintry Day in Brooke Park in the 1960s" by Bridget Murray is one of more than 30 paintings which will feature in the exhibition.

AN exhibition of painted street-scenes from Derry is to feature in a special cultural evening at the city's Millennium Forum, celebrating the north west's diaspora.

More than 30 works by artist, Bridget Murray will feature in the exhibition which launches on October 28 at a special cultural evening featuring music, literature and art.

Organised by the new Derry-Donegal diaspora association, Futureproof North West, the event has been organised to welcome returning expats in particular.

Artist Murray, who works as a freelance illustrator and teacher, has been exhibiting her work for more than 35 years. Many of her street-scenes from the last century feature in the recently launched updated `Derry's Streets: 521-2021', which will also be officially launched at the event.

Futureproof chairman, Sean Downey said a highlight of the evening will be a performance of O Soave Fanciulla from the Puccini opera, La Boheme by soprano Laura Sheerin and Mexican tenor, Benito Rodriguez.

Sheerin and Rodriguez have performed at some of the world's greatest opera houses, including La Scala (Milan) and The Metropolitan Opera (New York) and recently sang under the direction of the great Placido Domingo.

"We want to encourage the north west diaspora to connect, share ideas and experience, exchange contacts and create opportunities.

"As part of this, we plan to organise activities and events to promote networking and relationship-building and strengthen the community of Northwesterners across the islands and further afield," Mr Downey said.

The Futureproof chairman said the group also hoped to develop business and “promote, culture and foster educational opportunities”.

Following its launch on October 28, the street scene exhibition will run at the Millennium Forum for several weeks.