The Ark: Animals as Messengers, Guides & Fairies – Online Visual Art Workshops for children aged 5-12.

Connect with the animal world in this online mini-sculpture workshop for children, with illustrator Duffy Mooney-Sheppard. In Irish folklore, animals have always been seen as living between worlds, carrying meaning and messages. Is there an animal that you have been noticing a lot recently? In the garden, the park, at your window or maybe, in your dreams? In this workshop we will discover some of the stories and wisdom associated with our native birds, bees, foxes, hares and deer. We will follow in the footsteps of many artists and storytellers before us and create a miniature sculpture of the animal which carries a unique and special meaning to you.

The cost of this workshop includes a small art pack, which will be sent to you in the post (Republic of Ireland only). This pack will include a few small materials to help you to create your animal sculpture. You will need:

1. The art pack that you receive in the post inside its envelope (unopened!). Inside you’ll find a letter explaining details.
2. Scissors.
3. Pritt stick or similar.
4. Sellotape or masking tape.
5. Drawing materials e.g. pencils, markers, crayons, whatever you have at home!

Booking closes at midnight on Thursday August 6^th for August 14^th workshop; and Thursday August 13^th for August 21^st workshop, to allow adequate time for your pack to be posted to you. Early booking is advised.

Requirements for Participation

• Computer/Tablet/Phone with internet access for Zoom – placed on a table at children’s eye level.
• A table to sit at.
• Pencils and paper- these can be scraps of paper, card old packaging and any materials you have to hand such as pencils, crayons, makers, paints.

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.

The Ark: Animals as Messengers, Guides & Fairies 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.

Booking information
Tickets: €14 per child | €12.50* (includes art pack and postage)
Dates: Friday August 14^th & 21^st @ 11.00am & 2.00pm
Duration: Approx. 40 minutes
Age Range: 5-12

*The Concession price is available for Children accompanying third-level students, senior citizens and those in receipt of social security. Concession tickets can only be booked directly through the box office by emailing [email protected].