Exhibition opens by Cranmore kids

A collaborative project involving 20 children from Cranmore was recently launched in The Model. The project involved children between the ages of 7 and 11 and their parents, community representatives and artists from Pulled, a local screen print and design studio.

They created and produced their own Zine. The launch was part of The Sligo Children’s Book Festival which will be running for the full month of March.

The project is part of the Cranmore Op’s ‘Inside and Out’ project which is funded by the International Fund for Ireland and such was the success of the first year of the project, the IFI has provided additional funding to extend the project for a further twelve months.

Participants learned the skills of relief/stencil and screen printing and illustration. The Zine will be exhibited in The Model during March. Engaging with children and young people is one of four key strands of the programme. The project is unique in that it engages directly with other statutory agencies in the area including Cranmore Regeneration team, Mayo/Sligo/Leitrim Education & Training Board, Home Youth Liaison Services, MABS, Foróige, North Connaught Youth Services, Dept. of Social Protection and local Gardaí. Ms Dorothy Clarke, Board Member of the International Fund for Ireland said: “I would like to congratulate everyone involved in this innovative and imaginative project, and in particular the children who participated and achieved such an impressive end result. They should be very proud of the fact that their very special Zine will be on exhibition in this world class visitor centre for everyone to enjoy.

Emer McFadden, Community Development Worker for the Inside and Out project said: “We are delighted with the huge response from young people to the project and today’s event illustrates the positive benefits of skill sharing and learning to work together.

“I have no doubt that this project will leave a lasting positive legacy for the people in Cranmore and its environs.” She also thanked the IFI for their financial support.

Liam Somers, Jayden Kelly, Leigha Tiernan with Dorothy Clarke, Board Member of IFI.

Maggie-Mai Dunbar, Charley-May Armstrong and Katie Conlon.

Emer Mc Fadden, Cranmore Community Co-op and Dorothy Clarke IFI board member with Sarah Gannon, Maria Murrin and Rhiannon Keaveney Cranmore Co-Op Youth City artists.

Saoirse Foley and Michaela Armstong, two of the youngsters from Cranmore Co-op Youth City with Daniel Guest a Screen Printing artist from PULLED who faciliated the workshops.

Pics: Budding Artist Kayla Kelly pictured at the launch of “The unicorn Rainbow People” Zine in The Model. Frances Muldoon.

Artist Ashlee Mc Cormack at the Launch of Cranmore co-op’s Youth City Zine which is being exhibited in The Model for the month of March.