Primary Schools Programmes

In 1999 Saothar Ealaion was invited to instigate a programme of workshops in Primary Schools in the Donegal Gaeltacht. 21 schools took part in the project from March 1999 to February 2000.

The aims of Saothar Ealaíon are:

• To act as facilitators, strengthening the concept and value of idea development and to encourage initiative
• To work on and achieve visually impressive pieces of work that can be seen and admired by the students and others long after the workshop ends
• That the work should be enjoyable
• To create situations in which the students work together, in groups

Saothar Ealaíon travelled extensively throughout county Donegal to visit all the schools, from Fanad in the north to Gleanncholmcille in the south and from Downings in the west to Fintown in the east.

Many of the schools were located in remote rural areas in which children would not normally have access to arts activities on this scale. A total of 634 children took part in this scheme. An emphasis was placed on experimentation and design rather than picture making and involved focusing on their home and local environment rather than images from television, advertising or other outside influences.

Two artists spent a week in each school. The children, working in groups, began by experimenting with shape and colour. Informal discussions provided themes for idea development. These were then explored and refined, producing at the end a finished piece of work.