North East Education & Library Board
Title: Arty Week at Creavery Primary
Artform: Visual Art / Music/ Drama
Organisation(s): Creavery Primary School
Creative Partners: Laureen Magill, Martin McClure, Sally Huston, Stephen Kelly, MADD, Jim Russell/Play Resource Centre, Clotworthy Arts Centre
Participants: 57 4-11 year olds

Synopsis: A visual art, drama and music project run over the week at Creavery Primary School, just outside Antrim, replacing there normal school timetable. The work was exhibited at the end of the week in the school and at Clotworthy Arts Centre in Antrim.

Miss Dunwoody, the Head teacher of Creavery PS, had been inspired by the Art Week, in England, replacing the normal timetable with arts activities facilitated by teachers and artists. Taking this idea, various artists from different disciplines; ceramics, willow, 3D environmental and mixed media were brought in to facilitate workshops. The children then moved from area to area to work with the different artists, which accumulated in individual pieces and group work. The work was put on display around the school on the last morning, assisted by Jim Russell.

On the last day, MADD based in Antrim, facilitated 2 music workshops while Stephen Kelly worked with the other children on drama warm-ups and exercises. The change in focus was needed by the children having worked intensively on the visual arts in the previous days.

The pupils really enjoyed the experience and the rappor that was built up with the artists involved. The skills that were gained by pupils and teachers alike have been used the following year and have been furthered by the Early Years Initiative from the ACNI.