Laois Summer Arts Programme
Laois County Council Arts Office and Music Generation Laois Summer Arts Programme 2018
An array of arts and music workshops are available for young people to enjoy over the month of July. Starting off with Circus Art Workshops with circus artist Maria Corcoran from 3rd – 5th July at Portlaoise FET Centre, Tower Hill Portlaoise, from 11am-1pm and a second workshop from 2pm-4pm for ages 7-12 years. Maria will give an introduction to juggling, hula hoop, balance, acrobatics and more. Circus is where sports meet arts and creativity and individualism is celebrated. Maria has been teaching youth circus for over 8 years around Ireland and internationally.
Young people interested in art can join artist Caroline Conway for some fun exploring pattern and texture through print and collage from 10th -12th July from 2pm-4pm at the MDA building in Mountmellick . Caroline has been working in schools and with community groups for many years. Having trained at Edinburgh College of Art in print and fabric, she has exhibited widely and been awarded a number of Public Art Commissions, working in the mediums of printmaking and animation.
Laois County Council Arts Office and Music Generation Laois Summer Arts Programme 2018
A new activity to the programme this year is Go Fly Your Kite workshops at the Heritage House Abbeyleix on the 12th July from 11.30-1pm for ages7-12 years, and a second workshop in the afternoon from 3pm-3.30pm. Stradbally Arthouse will host the same progamme on Friday 13th July at the same times. Participants will be encouraged to design their own artwork and learn how to assemble a kite and learn kite safety.
Also at the Laois Arthouse artist Jen Donnery will run a programme called “Art in our Environment”, using materials, taking rubbings, and making collages from the space around us to make individual and group pieces. Participants will get to make a “Secret Sculpture” from a mystery bag of materials and the challenge will be to come up with an idea and develop their own work of art. Running over three days from the 17th-20th July in the mornings from 11-1 and a second workshop in the afternoon from 2 to 4, for children aged 7-12.
Flying high with Laois County Council Arts Office and Music Generation Laois Summer Arts Programme 2018
Young people interested in pottery can join Fins Pottery Tuition at Kiln Lane Community Centre, Mountrath from 24th -26th July in the mornings 11am-1pm and a second workshop in the afternoon from 2pm- 4pm, for children aged 7-12 years. Over the three days participants can explore the many different techniques of creating with clay. Booking forms are available at all local libraries, schools or from the Arts Office. T:057 8664033/13 . E: artsoff@laoiscoco.ie Download from www.laois.ie.
The Arts Office will also facilitate workshops in July as part of Laois County Councils’ social inclusion policy – art at the MDA Mountmellick, in association with the Youth Development Centre and Pottery in Mountrath in association with Respond.
Music Generation Laois hosts their annual Summer School of Rock and Pop with musicians Terry Byrne, James O Connor, Denise Boyle and Dale Hennessy over a week-long programme for age 10-18 year olds in the Dunamaise Arts Centre, from the 2-6 of July. The programme culminates with a showcase on the Dunamaise Stage on Friday 6 of July. This year for the first time, there is a Mezzanine gig on Tuesday 3 of July, featuring Tutors on the programme -Terry Byrne, James O Connor, Denise Boyle and Dale Hennessy, at 8pm in the Dunamaise Arts Centre.
Laois County Council Arts Office and Music Generation Laois Summer Arts Programme 201
From the 20-22 July, Music Generation Laois presents their annual Trad Summer School with a packed programme of workshops and performances. Many famous Trad musicians will descend on Portlaoise to teach at the School, including Clare-based fiddle player Siobhan Peoples, and well-known concertina players Mohsen Amini and Ernestine Healy. Music Generation Laois have a well developed piping programme in partnership with Na Piobairi Uilleann, and this year’s programme includes Pipers Padraig McGovern and Mikie Smith. There will be a range of concerts over the weekend including the renowned Scottish band Talisk, in Kavanagh’s Courtyard, Main Street Portlaoise, on Saturday 21 July @ 7pm. For further details see musicgenerationlaois.ie or call 057 8664176.
An adult painting course also runs at Laois Arthouse, titled Easy and slow…..! Learning the art of botanical painting with artist Mary Dillon
Participants will be guided through the stages of making a botanical painting. Suitable for all levels of experience. Dates: July 2 – 6. Booking now closed.