The festival’s youngest artists

THE YOUNGEST ARTISTS showing during the festival will be a group of 29 pre-school children from two Montessori schools, Carraig Briste in Templescoby and Kilegney Early Years in Enniscorthy, who have an exhibition in the window of Shoe Style International in Cornmarket, inspired by the great Enniscorthy-born architect and designer Eileen Gray

The exhibition of functional art was created by three- and four-yearolds with the help of guiding artist Anne Manning, whose son David, a pupil at Courtnacuddy National School, was also involved, and will be on display for the duration of the festival.

The children began in September, painting recycled cardboard cylinders, learning about balance and why a level surface is needed for the cylinder to stand.

Once a week, they were given an opportunity to work on their individual cylinder, applying a mixture of two primary colours and then using collage techniques they applied textures of organic and man made materials before the cylinders were turned into side tables.

As part of the project, the children visually explored furniture design by the late Eileen Gray, who grew up outside Enniscorthy town where the Castle has a room dedicated to her architure and design.

Ms Manning said the Opera Festival seemed the perfect opportunity to exhibit children’s art. She said: ‘I believe children produce art that is really interesting. After seeing some example of the children’s work, John and Patti Rath of Shoe Style offered the wonderfully curved window of their shoe shop to showcase the pieces.’

‘I would like to commend the children for their artistic work and enthusiasm for the side tables’ function and their appreciation for the individual artistry, aesthetic and design’, said Ms Manning, who thanked the pre-school proprietors and the parents for their support and donations of cups and saucers.