Fri 12th- I was supposed to start the curriculum project with the fifth years today, but as the trip is not for another ten days, they completed the project they have been working on with a participating artist instead. This is the project they had been working on for quite some time, with the artist Des Dillon. I enjoyed this, as during the previous blocks I had had quite involvement in the project. I took time at the end of the class to give them an over view of the curriculum project and trip to Lismore by outlining the basics i.e. that we would be going on a trip to Lismore Castle where we would be gathering various forms of information, or data to bring back to the classroom with us. This information, be it in the form of photographs, rubbings, sketches, flora samples or catalouges and leaflets, would then be gathered together, with a vew to coming up with a group project, creating a work/works of art/sculpture, inspired by some aspect of thier trip to the castle and gardens.  

I also discovered that unfortunatly four of the students would not be able to come on the trip as they would be away on work experience, which is unfortunate, but it is agreed that other students would gather information for them. They were also quite willing to do a little more indepth research on Lismore Heritage town and the castle and more importantly the artists that have perminant sculptures in Lismore gardens. A better in depth look at these artists and thier other works could also be very inspiring such as the work of Anthony Gormley and his Angel of the North.

 Mon 15th- The class were just finishing off with Des Dillon again today, but i handed out permission slips, to be signed by thier parents and returned and for the E15.00 pp that would cover the bus and entry to the castle and gardens.

5TH YR ART FIELD TRIP TO LISMORE CASTLE, GARDENS AND GALLERY- 23/3/2010

Dear Parent/Guardian


There will be an Art field-trip to Lismore Castle for Fifth year students on Tuesday the 23rd of March 2010.


It is important that all students come as it will be followed up by a four week art project based on student’s sketches and photographs taken on the day.


The overall cost of the trip is €15; this will cover both the bus and entry to the castle.


The students will also be given a short educational tour and talk on a current exhibition in the castle gallery which will cover areas of the Art History and Appreciation in the Leaving Cert Curriculum, so should be very informative.


Students must bring a packed lunch and snacks to keep them going for the day.


The trip will take place during school hours, leaving at 10.06 am and returning in time for the buses at 3.30pm all going to plan.


Students should bring or borrow a camera if at all possible( preferably digital) a sketch book, notepad and various art materials they might need for sketching i.e. conte or compressed charcoal, oil/chalk pastels, ink , pens……….


Rain gear an umbrella and appropriate footwear are essential as they will be spending a lot of time in the garden and grounds outside, so they must be warm enough and prepared for the weather.


This should be a very enjoyable trip especially if we get a bit of sun!!


Please ensure you have your money paid in advance of the trip returned to me along with your permission slip (very important).


Normal School rules apply throughout this trip, manners, co-operation and respect for all is essential.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PERMISSION SLIP FOR TRIP TO LISMORE CASTLE 23/3/2010 (please return this section)


NAME OF STUDENT____________________________________


I GIVE PERMISSION FOR MY DAUGHTER TO ATTEND AND FULLY PARTICIPATE IN THIS TRIP


SIGNED_____________________________________________


PARENT/GUARDIAN CONTACT NUMBER____________________________________


€15 PAID YES


NO

 Fri 19th- I had the 5th years for their double today. As we are not going on the field trip till the following Tuesday I had to think what would be the most beneficial way to spend the time on the run up to the field trip. I decided to bring in some sketchbooks and projects that I had done, and that might apply in some way to what they will be doing. It also gave me an opportunity to demonstrate and show different materials and techniques that are possible and available to them for this project. I brought in much of the work i had done during my portfolio year, this i felt would be beneficial as i had samples of graphic, batik, sculptural, multi-media, and various print tecniques. I also had all the prelim sketchbooks so they could see how i developed my ideas and experimented with materials before completing the final work. This i am hoping will demonstrate how i hope they will progress in their own project.  Along with this I also had set up small organic still lives on each table for them to sketch using various media. The reasoning for this was to get them back into the practise of sketching, capturing important elements such as texture, form and scale effectively. This initially, they didnt appreciate and found 'hard' and 'boring', but with a little persistance and when i explained that they were effectively practicing sketching tecniques that they will need for the field trip they started to see more point to it. I asked them to do various timed sketches, from between 5 and 30 mins, trying to capture the form, texture, shape and colour using various materials. Really it was an excersise to try and get thier eye back into observational drawing, somthing they tell me, they have done very little of. Although there is quite a variety of ability or perhaps interest, thier were some really nice results.

   

 Mon 22nd- Today i just have a single with them so it is a good opportunity to just do a little more back ground reearch with on Lismore with the students. Ideally i would have liked to have gone into the computer room but it is booked up so we have to make do with my lap top, and the classroom computer. I split the girls into pairs and they took turns looking up the lismore castle arts website. The rest of the class looked at various books i provided like the work of Andy Goldsworthy and various books on textiles. We also discussed ligistics of the trip further, and the majority of the students handed back permission slips and money for the trip.