Imelda Keenan remembered at launch of 'Waterford Weaves Hope' art exhibition
Magda Karol, Kristiana Stegmane, Vicky Wall, Anna Kachanivska and Suzan McCreadie, pictured at City Library for the One Million Stars,. to End Violence, exhibition. Photo: Joe Evans
The Waterford Weaves Hope exhibition, aimed at raising awareness about domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, was officially launched at Waterford Central Library this week.
Over the course of the project, Waterford Volunteer Centre facilitated more than 150 workshops across the county, bringing together community groups, schools, and individual volunteers to create beautiful eight-point woven stars.
These stars, each carrying messages of hope, solidarity, and a commitment to ending domestic and gender-based violence, all form the heart of the new exhibition.
The project is part of the wider ‘One Million Stars Ireland’ initiative, which is part of a global initiative started in 2012 in Australia by artist Maryann Talia Pau in response to the rape and murder of an Irish woman living in Melbourne.
The initiative now spans 26 counties in Ireland and Northern Ireland, with nearly 350,000 stars woven.
"We are so proud of the work that has gone into this project, with over 150 workshops held across Waterford City and County and more than 35,000 stars woven by volunteers of all ages" Réka Széplaki, Waterford Volunteer Centre Manager said.
"This exhibition is a testament to the strength and solidarity of our community. We are deeply grateful to the artists, community groups, schools, and volunteers who have contributed to this project and its mission to end violence."
One Million Stars Ireland Project Lead, Siobhan McQuillan added: “Waterford Volunteer Centre have done such an amazing job. It takes a lot of time to weave a star, so when you look at this exhibition there's a lot of work and love that has been put in.
“From the age of eighteen, one in four women will experience some form of abuse from an intimate partner or ex-partner in their lifetime. 61 women have been murdered on the island of Ireland in the last five years, six in the last six weeks.
“This sobering fact highlights the importance of working together to create change, to change societal views and stress the importance of keeping the issue of gender based violence in the spotlight."
Ms. McQuillan officially launched the exhibition with an appeal for information regarding the disappearance of Imelda Keenan from Waterford City in 1994.
“I will take this opportunity to call out for information if anyone has any. Imelda vanished 30 years ago here in Waterford City and she hasn’t been seen or heard from since. This has been horrendous for her family who have waited for thirty years for some information that could bring closure on the case.
"If anyone might have any information, you can share with the Missing Persons Helpline or contact Waterford Garda Station. Our thoughts and prayers are with Imelda's family.”
