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  • Ruach Art Project 2010

    Created 2010-01-10 by Eva Kelly

    Location: Clondalkin - Co. Dublin

    Duration: 2010-01-10 to 2010-06-30

Project Outline


The Ruach art project was an arts project designed by the community artist and youth workers in Ronanstown Youth Service to be implimented in one of the local primary schools. The purpose of this initiative was to address the growing problem of alcohol use in sixth class and first year students. 


The aim of this project was to challenge behaviour of young people making the transition from primary school to secondary with the focus on alcohol use and making healthy choices. These included peer presure situations, examples of positive and negative life choices and the impacts they can have. It was importantant for the youth service to provide a safe and stimulating space to address these issues.


From the start the Ruach project was discussed in detail  with the school principal  and teachers  and all invoved from the youth service. Clear aims above were outlined and practical issues like allocating class time and space to hold the art pieces which comprised of three 3D figures, one from each class and a large 2D piece displying all the classes A4 collage pieces.


Three sixth classes participated in this art project. It was envisinioned that the art works would be exhibited on the classes Confirmation day. The aim of this was to showcase the young peoples’ art to the wider community. Three sessions  with each class took place in the school with the final one held in the youth service. The aim of this was to introduce the local young people to the youth service and showing them what happens there and a choice if they would like to join in some of the after school clubs run there.


Prior to the intiatal art session each class participated in on an outdoor adventure walk to the Dublin mountains  where they explored their surroundings and were asked to bring back a small piece from nature. They then incorporated this into their A4 collage with acylic paints. The aim of this session was to introduce the students to the process of collage. How to make images using line, colour, texture and form in a creative spontanious way.


Throughout the young people were encouraged to collect found materials, e.g. empty cans, bottle tops string, which was used in the next two sessions making the 3D figures. The aim of this was to help the students develop an understanding of designing and working in 3D. The emphasis throughout was on creative thinking and problem solving. The artist and youth workers worked as facilitators here rather than giving direct instructions of how to assemble the figures. The basic form from chicken wire was created and then the above materials added. Important in this process was developing the students ability to work in a team and come up with working solutions. This also added to a sense of ownership with each 3D figure. At the end of session three the group were presented with wtheir figure and named it through a vote system.


The final session was held in Ronanstown Youth Service where the students worked in small groups taking turn spray painting the figures. Discussion too place  with the youth workers about how their particular figure might feel going into secondary school. The aim of this type of disgussion was to provide a space for each class to talk openly about their possible fears, apprehensions and excitement of moving into secondary level. By using the figure as a focal point less emphasis was put on the student which allowed them to comment openly. The aim of this was to provide a safe and  nonthreatning environment for the students to express how they felt about making the transition from primary school to secondary level. Finally they expressed their individual emotions on lables that were then attached to each figure. This enforced the sense of ownership about their work. 



Project Details

  • Location: Clondalkin
  • From date: 2010-01-10
  • To date: 2010-06-30
  • Participants per session: 20
  • Participants in total: 56
  • Age range of participants:
    12-14, 8-11
  • County(ies):
    Dublin
  • Related Organisation(s):
    Ronanstown Youth Service

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