A year after the loss of its award-winning 15-strong FAS scheme, the Linenhall is delighted to announce that four FAS workers have been allocated to the Linenhall in 2004 – 2005 to develop its community arts programme. Cathy Hack, Katie Newman, Gráinne O’Reilly and Nuala McCarthy are bringing a broad range of talents and expertise to the Linenhall. In 2005 they will be busy implementing an exciting programme to extend the Linenhall’s ongoing activities within the community

As part of the Linenhall’s ongoing community arts programme, here is a selection of the imaginative and innovative community arts projects which are taking place in 2004 – 2005.

ROOLABOOLA

The Linenhall’s major annual arts festival for young people, presenting a jam-packed programme of quality arts events, workshops, drop-in and street events and a major street spectacle. This year (2005) RoolaBoola will take place from the 24th – 31st of October.

YOUNG PEOPLE’S ARTS MONTH

May is the Linenhall’s annual month dedicated to arts for young people, with a stimulating and innovative exhibition and daily school and open workshops, which has included projects KIDS IN SPACE (1999), THE URBAN GARDEN (2000), FLIGHT (2001), THE BIGGER PICTURE (2002), MINDERS OF THE MENAGERIE (2003) and, most recently, FOOD FOR THOUGHT (2004).

The Linenhall is currently seeking proposals for arts projects / installations / exhibitions (in any art form) designed for children and to take place in the Linenhall in May 2005. Closing date for receipt of proposals is Friday 25th February. Further information from the Linenhall Tel. 094 9023733

VISUAL ARTS WORKSHOPS FOR SCHOOLS

Cathy Hack, Katie Newman and Gráinne O’Reilly have been very busy over the last few months devising and facilitating visual art workshops for school groups. These workshops have focused on the exhibition in the Linenhall’s gallery space. Following a gallery talk the children are brought to the Linenhall’s community arts room where they create their own art work based on their reflections on the work exhibited in the gallery space.

In December 2004 the exhibition in the gallery space featured the work of county Clare based Scottish painter Hazel Walker. 193 students from seven primary schools in the Castlebar area took part. The children had plenty to say about Hazel Walker’s work and created their own paintings using a limited palette of pastel colours similar to that used by Hazel Walker. One young student commented: “I painted unusual pictures that I never painted before…That I never, like think, like thought of doing really”.

Cathy Hack talks about Hazel Walker’s work with students from Scoil Raifteirí

In the community arts room creating works using pastel colours

January 2005 was the turn of Mayo woman Mary T Conroy to exhibit in the Linenhall’s gallery space. The workshop devised around this exhibition by the community arts team was a huge success. Mary T Conroy’s figurative works featuring marathon runners were a great hit with the young participants. 273 students from four primary schools in the Castlebar and Westport areas took part. During the painting workshop the children were introduced to palette knives as painting tools. When asked if they had learned anything new at the workshop, one of the students commented; You don’t need a paint brush to make good art

Painting workshop in the community arts room.

Children use palette knives during the Mary T. Conroy workshops

In February 2005 Cathy, Gráinne and Katie facilitated a series of clay workshops for schools. These workshops included a tour of the Philip McFadden sculpture exhibition, Gold. No less than 357 clay sculptures were created over the three weeks!

Click below for Scoil Raifteiri's creations during th Philip McFadden based Visual Art Workshops for Schools at the Linenhall

http://www.castlebar.ie/education/scoil_raifteiri/linenhead.html

Currently (March 2005) Cathy, Gráinne and Katie are facilitating a series of mixed media workshops for schools. These workshops include a tour of the Caroline Harrington exhibition in the Linenhall’s gallery space, and are fully booked out. During this series of workshops 395 students from 8 Castlebar primary schools will be exploring the theme of journeys through visual art.

Download Teacher Activity Sheet for above workshop

WORKSHOPS FOR SCHOOLS

The Linenhall also offers workshops for schools in a range of other art forms. Schools workshops in the Spring 2005 season include:

WhistleBlast Quartet Music Workshops for Schools: The wonderful WhistleBlast Quartet featuring highly acclaimed musicians Mary Curran (French horn), Kenneth Edge (saxophones), Ann Jones (harps and vocals) and Síle Daly (oboe, cor anglais), will present a series of music workshops for school groups. WhistleBlast Quartet will introduce several classical instruments and their musical sounds and styles.

Sean Nós Dancing Workshops for Schools: The award winning and internationally renowned young Conamara sean nós dancer Seosamh Ó Neachtain will present a series of sean nós dance workshops for schools in April 2005.

OPEN WORKSHOPS FOR ADULTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE

The Linenhall continues to offer a broad and diverse programme of arts workshops for adults and children. Workshops in the Spring 2005 season include:

Terrific Twos: A paint-and-make playground for 2-year olds to explore with a parent, guardian or teenage sibling, including painting, drawing, glue and glitter, sand art, collage, chalk and lots more, in a safe environment under the direction of Lucy Hill. Lucy is an artist and teacher with many years experience directing arts workshops all over the country.

Stir it Up: Exciting and fun-packed workshops for 3-5 year olds. Learn all about colour, and explore mixing paint with materials including sand, flour, plaster, spices and shaving foam, on surfaces including paper, plastics, foil, stone, felt and even fish! Devised and facilitated by artist and teacher Lucy Hill, these workshops are in big demand.

Time to Write: An introduction to creative writing for those who would like to write but find they cannot get started. The course is under the guidance of Jean Tuomey, a teacher with over 20 years experience and a passionate enthusiasm for creative writing, who has led many extremely successful writing projects for the Linenhall. Jean is the co-editor of Time to Write, Linenhall Writers 2001-2004 which was published at the end of 2004 by the Linenhall Arts Centre.

Ode to a Corncrake
(or on living in close proximity to a protected species)

Corncrake,
Give me a break.
That drill, that rasp
Is driving me to grasp
The scythe and
Say goodbye
To subsidy and cheque;
To take you by the neck
And it break,
Corncrake

Geraldine Mitchell (from, Time to Write, Linenhall Writers 2001-2004)
The Creative Journal Writing Workshop: A workshop which explores techniques to establish the process of writing creatively. Devised by Irene Graham in 1992, this workshop has been enjoyed by hundreds of writers both new and established. Participants learn various ways to access life experiences and to creatively translate those experiences into words for potential story development. All of the exercises can be used on an ongoing basis to support fiction, short story writing and other writing genres.

The Puppet Club: A fun-packed puppet making and puppet performance workshop for 10 – 12 year olds with experienced puppeteer and puppet maker Carmel Balfe. Participants learn puppet making skills including pattern design, foam shaping and cutting, painting on three dimensional forms and costume creation. They also engage in developing the personality of their puppet and create a theatrical plot in which the puppet performs. Set design constitutes the final element of this workshop and participants create the set in which their theatrical plots come to life!

WhistleBlast Quartet Music Workshop: The wonderful WhistleBlast Quartet featuring highly acclaimed musicians Mary Curran (French horn), Kenneth Edge (saxophones), Ann Jones (harps and vocals) and Síle Daly (oboe, cor anglais), will present a music workshop for 7 – 9 year olds. WhistleBlast Quartet will introduce several classical instruments and their musical sounds and styles. Packed with fun-filled rhythm games and a chance to try out different instruments, this workshop will also give the participants a chance to produce a composed percussion piece which will then be performed as part of a concert later that afternoon.

Adult Drama Workshops for Beginners: A great chance for adults to try their hand at drama in a series of informal, fun-filled workshop sessions with drama teacher, director and performer Donna Ruane. As part of this workshop participants will attend two professional drama performances at the Linenhall. These performances will be explored in the workshops.

Memoir Writing Workshop: A creative writing workshop for those who are interested in telling their own story. Facilitated by teacher and writer Betina Peterseil, participants will have the opportunity to express themselves through their own personal memories and life experiences.

Keeping Safe: A child protection training workshop for arts workers. This workshop will provide an overview of the national guidelines for the protection and welfare of children and topics addressed will include awareness of abuse, child protection policy and procedures and codes of behaviour. The workshop will be delivered by Sandra Claxton of the Western Health Board.

IN CONJUNCTION WITH BEALTAINE, THE NATIONAL MONTH CELEBRATING CREATIVITY IN OLDER AGE, THE LINENHALL IS OFFERING THE FOLLOWING WORKSHOPS IN MAY 2005:

Handbells Workshop: A fun introduction to playing handbells and choirchimes. The Handbells Workshop will cover playing techniques, reading bell music, note values, rhythms, basic sight-reading, marking music and what to listen for during practice. Bell ringing is fun - bells are so easy to play, even those who have no musical experience are immediately able to join in and contribute equally.

Circle Dancing Workshop: Dancing in circle formations is common in many dance traditions throughout the world. Some circle dances are simple, almost meditative, while others are lively and full of energy. People who do circle dancing find it relaxing and uplifting. The dances which will be featured in this workshop are easy to learn and are ideal for beginners or people who are unsure or lack confidence in dancing. People of all ages and levels of fitness enjoy circle dancing. Why not give it a go? This workshop will be facilitated by Jean Parker.

FOCUS YOUTH FILM CLUB

January 2005 saw the launch of the Linenhall’s new youth film club, which is run by young people of 15-18 years for their peers. A committee of five 15 to 18 year old volunteers are at the heart of the club’s existence – they choose the films and see to the smooth running of the club. Key dates:

Saturday, January 29th, 8pm: Focus Youth Film Club had its inaugural screening featuring Michael Moore’s Farenheit 911. Ballinrobe based band Vierdo launched the club with a rocking twenty minute set which preceded the film.

Saturday, February 12th, 8pm: Focus youth Film Club continues its season on with director Michel Almereyda’s vital and sharply intelligent new adaptation of Hamlet. Hamlet features in this year’s leaving cert syllabus and we’re expecting quite a crowd so get there early!

Saturday, February 26th, 8pm: Almost Famous - writer-director Cameron Crowe’s affectionate homage to the 1970s music scene, Almost Famous as told through semi-autobiographical story of a teen journalist who goes on the road with a rock band on the verge of success. A special screening of young Castlebar based film maker Narayan Van Maele’s short film, Skizz and his Imaginary Friend, will precede the feature. NOT TO BE MISSED

Saturday, March 12th, 8pm: Run Lola Run – Directed by Tom Tykwer, this film is a breathless race against the clock in which the title character has exactly 20 minutes to save her lover from certain death. Literally sprinting through the film, the flame-haired Lola is heroic, fierce, frightened and vulnerable all at once.



Previous Community Arts Projects