St Ultan’s students art exhibition at Ballyfermot Library

STUDENTS from St Ultan’s Primary School in Cherry Orchard displayed their artistic flair in an exhibition of their work in Ballyfermot Library.

The students were part of an eight week programme called Art4Success, which is run by Ballyfermot College of Further Education.

The initiative has been running for over ten years, and looks to strengthen ties between the college and the local community by introducing local primary school children to a college environment.

16 girls and boys from fourth class visited the college once a week for eight weeks, during college hours, and were mentored by college students from the Fibre Art and Illustration courses.

Lou Boughton, Head of the Illustration course in Ballyfermot College of Further Education, told The Echo that both the college students and school students enjoyed the experience.

“When the kids came in on the first day they didn’t know each other all that well, because they were in different class groups, but by the end of it they had made friends.

“They also grew confidence in their art, and by the end of the eight weeks they had let their inhibitions go and were open about sharing their ideas.”

The children explored a number of different art mediums, including self-portraits, ceramic tiles, pop-up landscapes and hand drawn fabric calendars over the course of the programme.

Lou added that a number of the college students were interested in teaching art in the future, and that a number of the school students had already expressed an interest in studying art in college.