Mitchelstown Presentation students showcase artwork
Presentation Secondary School, Mitchelstown students took centre stage at the 8th Annual Creative Engagement exhibition as they showcased an artwork created in the canteen of their school.
The exhibition, hosted by the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NAPD), highlights the artistic and creative talents of Ireland’s second-level students.
Throughout November and December, the TY year group participated, painting a mural on the wall of the canteen in the school.
Students came together with artist Magda Karol, to design the mural that would be on display in such a central part of the school. Split into three groups, each group brainstormed ideas for a section of the wall.
“The central theme of the mural was the lantern which represents Nano Nagle, founder of Presentation Schools,”
Transition Year student Roisin Sheehan told TheAvondhu.
The concepts that students came up with were then brought to reality on the wall with each TY student allocated an area to spray paint, while art students worked on the piece as a whole.
“The spray painting was difficult as it is a medium that very few of us were familiar with, although by the end, we felt much more confident in our abilities. We regrouped every now and again to discuss the direction which the mural was taking and to offer advice and critiques. We changed elements along the way as we saw fit, after discussing it in the group.
“The mural is something that I am extremely proud to say I have contributed to. Although there were obstacles along the way and the process wasn’t easy, I am very happy with the result and the TY year group as a whole take great pride in what we accomplished together and the lasting mark we have left on our school,” Roisin said.
The online exhibition began on Thursday, March 4 and ran until Saturday, March 6 and was officially opened by Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin TD.
The Creative Engagement programme was launched in 2005. It is the longest-running arts-in-education programme in second-level schools in Ireland and is co-funded by The Department of Tourism Culture Arts Gaeltacht, Sports Media and the Department of Education and Skills.