Education

Tolka River Project is a community group from Dublin 15 who are engaged in a full time educational programme in the Coolmine Centre.  Visual Artist Michelle Phelan designed a project that investigates aspects of the contemporary city by responding to text and music through fun and participatory workshops.  Throughout the project the participants will be introduced to other facilitators, including photographer Richard Lambe, with an aim to broaden their understanding of contemporary art and explore new ways of expressing themselves creatively. The project will culminate with an exhibition and performance of the work. 

Hazel Psychiatry of Old Age Day Hospital James Connolly Memorial Hospital Blanchardstown
Creative Writing Reminiscence Project
Author:  Carmel Maginn

The role of the hospital’s day care unit is to provide treatment, therapy and support to older people who suffer from depression, anxiety, unresolved grief and other age related conditions.  In 2003 Fingal Arts Office initiated a Writer in Residence project in response to a request from the hospital staff for artistic intervention. Author Carmel Maginn, had specific interest in age and ageing, and a personal belief in the power of story.  Having had short fictional stories published and written historical and educational pieces of work, Carmel used her experience to design and facilitate a Reminiscence programme with a selected group of patients.  Reminiscence sessions were conducted with the patients for approx 1hr 15mins per week and additional funding was procured through the Lotteries Commission Funds.  That funding has ceased and Fingal Arts Office have commited to fund the programme for six months in 2010.  Carmel’s role is to facilitate patients in exploring memories and experiences through reminiscence, using aural, visual, and tactile stimuli to encourage memory and expression in a safe supportive environment.  An assesment highlighted the benefit for project participants who experienced an increased sense of wellbeing. 

Reach Programme Balbriggan
Music Workshops with Qiaoyi Li

Reach is a socially inclusive rehabilitation training programme designed for people with mental health difficulties who, in the face of significant experiences of social exclusion resulting fro their illness, need to develop their interpersonal and academic skills. The 25 member group are encouraged to engage in a broad range of educational and recreational activities.  The group met in the centre every Friday morning for two hours for a period of twelve weeks.  Music therapist Qiaoyi Li designed and facilitated a programme that met the needs of the group.  The project consisted of one orientation week, two assessment weeks, eight intervention weeks, and one final evaluation week.  Utilising guitar, electronic keyboard, various percussion instruments, songbooks and various creative music activities, such as singing and listening to music, instrumental playing, improvisation, poem / songwriting, relaxation training, and free physical movement, Qiaoyi interacted with the participants, developed their music ability, observed their responses, how they interacted with each other and the art form.  The project resulted in an increase in communication between the participants and their health workers, diminished negative feelings of social isolation, and an increased level of interest in other activities. 

St. Michael’s School for Young People with Specific Learning Needs
Artist Ronan Tierney

Visual artist Ronan Tierney worked with pupils from St. Michael’s Special School, Skerries for the duration of four months. The aim of the project was to encourage an interest and involvement in the arts, develop art making skills and learn new techniques.  With an emphasis on process, Ronan introduced the pupils to other artist’s work, which led to group discussion and an interest in different media.  The project modules took the pupils and their educators through a journey of discovery, with workshops sessions in drawing, print making, sculpture and framing.  Learning about presentation and exhibiting their work was an important element to the project.  During the final stages of the project, Ronan introduced the materials needed for building frames.  The pupils sanded the edges of the frames, waxed the mouldings and prepared the gum strip, and with the help of Ronan assembled their frames.  The purpose of the exercise was to execute the work in a professional way, and the pupils amazed their peers and families with their framed paintings and print work. 

Clonmethan Lodge Oldtown
‘True Colours’
Artist: Pam Corrie

Clonmethan Lodge is a purpose built complex offering a life of quality for 30 individuals with intellectual and challenging behaviour in a supportive homely environment.  It comprises of five bungalows with six residents in each.  Artist and Nurse Pam Corrie began working with the residents on a visual arts project, supported and funded by Fingal Arts Office.  Pam’s experience as Day Care Nurse in Clonmethan Lodge made it possible for her to work one on one with the residents and facilitate a project where they could express themselves in a safe creative environment.  The aim of the project was to encourage involvement in the arts, explore individual artistic abilities, and create a piece of art.   The residents explored themes relevant to their lives, and incorporated some aspect of their personal life into their art work.  Pam explained how one of the residents approached the project: ‘E’ is never without her bag.  She brings it everywhere and keeps treasured possessions in it safe under her arm.  Beads, pictures, little keepsakes multiply, and she is ever eager to show the treasures to others.  I encouraged ‘E’ to work with the materials she loved and knew best, creating a piece that represents all that is memorable in her life to date.  Photographs of family, friends, and peers adorn the rectangular 3d piece, along with keepsakes gathered on trips with her peers.’  Beautifully hung and accompanied with explanatory wall text, the 30 pieces command a wall in the hall of Clonmethan Lodge.  An official opening will take place this December with family, friends, and members of Fingal County Council to celebrate the achievements.