School's Programme: Take Hold

28 Mar 25—07 Jun 25

Artists

Sinéad Smyth

Info

We are delighted to share our latest School's Programme workshop series for the exhibition Take Hold, curated by Rachel Botha. Artist educator Sinéad Smyth developed an activity for the children to do in the gallery. Sinéad took inspiration from the exhibition's theme of 'hope as a practice', a tool in the face of the climate crisis, capitalism, and systems devoid of care.

Focussing specifically on the use of stitch in Marielle MacLeman's Care Quilt, the stars and dark background in Samir Mahmood's paintings, and the idea of knowledge sharing, collaboration and DIY in the work of Cecelia Graham.

During an exhibition tour, the children used paper, pencils and clipboards to note thoughts and visuals. They learned about primary and secondary colours, and using wool and skewers they stitched their shapes or words into the black card. They shone light through their punched card so see their own constellations projected on the wall.

Thank you to all our school children and teachers for visiting the gallery.

About Sinéad Smyth

Sinéad Smyth is an artist from Inishowen - the most northerly peninsula in Donegal, Ireland. Her paintings explore landscapes and seascapes as places of memory, connection and a nurturing influence on being human.

Sinéad has also transformed a run-down 200 year old cottage into her studio and an artists’ residency, where she now runs regular painting and creative development courses.

Sinéad is self-taught, painting and drawing since she was very young. She has spent time studying and working with several professional artists and art bodies through artist development courses and events with the RUA, the North-West College, the Regional Cultural Centre and Artlink. She is an invited member of The Drawing Box International and a professional member of Visual Artists Ireland. She took over CCA's Project Space, as part of Testing Ground in September 2024.