“Dublin was missing one thing: a multicultural place,” says Monika Sapielak. “With the Centre for Creative Practices (CFCP) in Dublin, I think we have it now.”
Sapielak is co-ordinator of the new multicultural centre in Dublin’s south city centre, intended as a place to bring together arts from all over the world.
She explains that inspiring exchange between the different people who live in Ireland is essential.
“There are a lot of talents here, but they don’t know how to share,” she says.
The CFCP acts as a link between local markets, audiences, artists and arts organisations. It’s a place of exchange and connection where every week people are welcomed to discover exhibitions of local and international artists.
For Sapielak, it’s a way to enhance the talents of artists living in Dublin so that they can profit from the fruits of their labour. Already some musicians have booked gigs in Dublin pubs thanks to their contributions during the jazz jam sessions.
In 2009 alone the CFCP presented more than 300 events and collaborated with over 600 artists from Ireland and more than 20 countries all over the world, with a multicultural programme running from jazz and flamenco to art exhibitions, film screenings and talks.
The centre also helps non-professional artists, having recently organised an exhibition with students from DIT. The CFCP says it welcomes all Irish artists who do not swim with the arts mainstream and who are interested in sharing their experimental visions. Art, Sapielak believes, is way to integrate people in Dublin society.
“Even if we all have different languages, we can share art. It is the easier way to express yourself,” she says. “Artists can communicate through the art what they believe in. There are no limits.”
The planned line-up for October at the CFCP includes Spanish music with a reinterpretation of flamenco, Polish documentaries, an exhibition featuring Irish photography and a special Hallowe’en night.
Meanwhile, the centre has been shortlisted for a Dublin Living Award in the category of Dublin Gallery of the Year. To vote visit the website dublinlivingawards.ie.
