The Ark comes to Mayo. Well, not quite the children's arts centre in Dublin itself, but the work of those closely associated with it.
Genevieve Murphy and John Kelly have undertaken many commissions for The Ark since it opened in Dublin in 1995, and are now involved in a creation in the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar.
The Urban Garden is a large-scale dynamic sculpture which will be completed over the next few weeks. The project will be unveiled today but "it isn't quite an opening," Maire Connolly of Linenhall explained. The "opening" will take place in three weeks' time, after school groups have spent many mornings and afternoons working on it.
Touching on the theme of growth and development, The Urban Garden aims to highlight the contrast between man's need to develop and construct and nature's own pace. The main body of the piece has been designed and made by Murphy and Kelly.
It is in two parts, one of which resembles a huge mound, comprising clusters of buildings and structures taken from around the world - an "urban mountain" of bricks and stone.
The second part will be created over the next few weeks in the Linenhall. This inner core to the outer sculpture will reveal a beautiful environment that contrasts with the urban shell and is filled with fields, trees, flowers and gardens.
Working collectively, children will be given the opportunity to create an environment using a range of materials and techniques in relief and three-dimensional form. All interactive sessions will be led by the Linenhall's own experienced community arts workers, Noreen, Katy and Esther, who have received specific training for the project. Up to 20 children at a time will be accommodated at the sessions, and they will be able to create their own individual piece of a growing sculpture.
Sessions are available from Monday to Friday until May 26th, for third and fourth class primary school groups from 9.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m., and for first and second class primary school groups from 12.30 p.m. to 2 p.m. On Saturday there will be workshops for children aged from six to 10 accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Booking is essential. The Linenhall Arts Centre, Linenhall Street, Castlebar, Co Mayo, can be contacted at (094)23733.