Help Fund Your New Building for the Arts!!!

It's kinda cute, isn't it? That, there, is what will be the future West Cork Arts Centre Building. Below you've got your North view(from the town car park) 

and the South view from the 'Bridge' at Main Street.

It has a little way to go before it is finished. As you can see from it's current state, it is not quite there yet.

It won't be long though. The next stage will see the Corten steel facade applied, giving it its trademark rusted finish, and the windows will be installed. This means the building will be watertight and weather proof. For a few months, the building will look finished and ready to go, but inside a team will be busily fitting out the interior. 

It is really exciting stuff! To think that we are getting this landmark, purpose-built, state-of-the-art centre for art in the middle of a West Cork town!!! It is just what the place need as an attraction, as an economic boost and as a home for all things artistic and cultural!

But, we still need to raise some funds. You may have seen this little pairing in shops, bars and cafes throughout West Cork. 

Well, next time you do, take a leaflet, which will tell you all about the building, and make sure to leave some coinage (note-age is welcome too!). A project like this doesn't happen without the support of the people who want it to.

We are always open to your thoughts so if you have any ingenious ideas for fundraising, just let us know. Otherwise, you can check out our Fund The Building page here

We are very nearly there, so any contribution will make all the difference. Come on! Be a part of it! :-)

Practice

Have you been to our gallery lately? Well, currently exhibiting is Practice. Practice asks the question 'What happens when artists and children work together?' Well, here are a few examples...

UpSideDownWorld

The Cornerfield

Emily's Granda

Listening to John Kelly

Layers

These are some examples of what children from early years groups and primary schools created with artists Helen Barry, Ann Donnelly, Naomi Draper, Ann Henderson, Maree Hensey, Fiona Kelleher and Christine Mackey. There are many more pieces to be enjoyed in the gallery.

In the hours before the opening, the exhibiting artists facilitated an Artists' Day for artists and art students who have an interest in working with children. It was a long and intensive workshop, lasting from the morning until 5pm when the exhibition was being launched. Lots of ideas were exchanged and practices explored. Here's a peek at what they got up to...

The opening itself was a huge success. 

Orla Kenny, Director of KidsOwn Publishing

As an exhibition of work by artists in collaboration with children, and vice versa, it was great to see so many children there from as young as nine months and up.

Chalk was handed out to everyone present and, although there were initial plans for the creation of a live collaborative piece to include all who attended, the lead was taken by the children present who very much had their own idea of what they wanted to do. 

So, what happens when artists and children work together? Well, a bit of this...

Some of this...

and a little of this...

There is a programme of events that accompanies this exhibition. For further details contact 028 22090.

Practice continues at West Cork Arts Centre until February 22, but don't leave it until then as you'll want to see this exhibition more than once.