Lucy Medlycott. Pic: John Walsh
IN THE month of October, a creepy clown craze took hold around the world with the potential to create a striking and unwelcome vision in the mind’s eye of society with regard to the circus character.
Fortunately, a Wexford-based woman is working to change perceptions when it comes to clowns and all forms of street arts, circus and spectacle and their significance for Ireland culturally, socially and economically.
Lucy Medlycott, a one-time founder of local street theatre company Buí Bolg, is now Project Manager with the Irish Street Arts, Circus and Spectacle (ISACS) network.
Based out of an office at the old County Hall buildings at Hill Street in Wexford town, the thought-leader in the arts world is helping to raise the profile, increase the recognition and support the development of a host of art forms with the support of the Arts Council and Wexford County Council.
“Street arts are accessible to all… it’s the most democratic art form there is,” Ms. Medlycott professed.
The term street arts is wide-reaching and really only bound by the limitations of the imagination.
As Ms. Medlycott says, “there are a lot of misconceptions.
It’s not just about graffiti and Banksy.”
Whether performing acrobatics, freestyle dance or clowning in a public space, a street artist vies for the attention of potential audience members who may not have expected to witness a spectacle while going about their daily business.
For the first time in Ireland, ISACS brings together over 80 artists from a variety of disciplines and lobbies and advocates on their behalf.
The network provides a vital link between artists working in the sector and the Arts Council.
ISACS is linked with the Masters course in Festive Arts offered at the University of Limerick (UL) and works with groups including Dublin Circus Project, Circus Factory Cork and Galway Community Circus.
For Ms. Medlycott, overseeing the development of street arts, circus and spectacle in Ireland is a natural progression from her experience working within groups of international renown such as Bui Bolg.
“It was like everything fell into place,” she said of taking on her new role.
“I know everyone involved, but I’m no longer competing with people,” she added.
The street arts, circus and spectacle sector remains under-resourced, Ms. Medlycott explained, but it has made huge strides over the past two years since the national network was formed.
This is in no small part thanks to the work of the Wexford-based woman who has become something of a counsellor for the street arts, circus and spectacle community in Ireland.
She has the business know-how, communication and organisation skills and more and can help artists to submit grant applications, network and develop valuable relationships.
Read more in the Wexford Echo.