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Online Crafts Club for Schools: The Art of Cave Painting 23 Apr 2021

Like the first cave painters, let sound and music inspire your class to create their own unique printed tile in this Online Crafts Club workshop with Kim Sharkey.

Imagine how the hoof beat percussion of animals and the soft clap of human hands may have inspired some of the earliest human artworks. Join us from your classroom for these online visual art workshops, inspired by studies that connect early cave paintings with sound.

During the workshop, your class will respond to music and use techniques of print and drawing with raw oxides and stains on porcelain paper clay to create their own individually printed tile.

Requirements for Participation

For safety reasons, a parent or grown-up should be present in the room throughout the session, and if necessary be available to assist their child, so you're very welcome to take part in the workshop alongside your child.

  • Computer/Tablet/Phone with internet access for Zoom – placed on a table at children’s eye level

Materials required by the school:

  • Each pupil will need a pencil, paint brush, scissors, recycled card like cereal box cut into gift card sized squares.
  • Mark making tools, eg, pen, twig, fork, string,

As well as these materials, your class will also be sent:

  • Tape
  • Porcelain paper clay
  • Oxides/stains for clay
  • Card
  • Backing card
  • Cartridge paper

Note to Teachers: Please keep the box that the materials arrive in intact. You will be asked to return the children’s work to the artist for firing. Postage for this will be paid by The Ark. Your finished work will be returned to the school. Children will need to label their work

Online platform: The workshop will be delivered using the Zoom video call software.This will be a private Zoom session which will only be accessed by those booked into the workshop, the artist and The Ark's staff. The session will be recorded for the safety and security of all participants, however this recording will not be shared publicly and will be deleted within 30 days.

Kimsharkey Headshot 600

About Kim Sharkey

Kim Sharkey is a multimedia artist specialising in illustration and ceramics, working from her home on the north west coast of county Donegal. Kim is a member of the DCCI Educational Panel and regional coordinator of their CRAFTed programme. She is an award winning illustrator and recipient of this year’s Children’s Books Ireland/KPMG Eilís Dillon Award 2020.