Today is the final day of the Earth Explorers School Programme. We’ve had so much fun over the last 4 weeks with artists Terry O’Farrell, Jole Bortoli and Orla Kelly showing school children exciting ways to celebrate their environment. We had a wonderful response to the workshops, where the children made everything from windmills to weathervanes and experimented with 'clay worlds' and ‘faux fossils’.

"Clay Adventures" with artist Terry O'Farrell
"The Clay “Adventures” workshop was wonderful. It is often difficult to find workshops for this age group – it was appropriately targeted and the facilitator was one of the best I’ve encountered as a teacher." Teacher, Balbriggan Educate Together NS

‘Weathervanes’ with artist Jole Bortoli'
"I never made anything like this before" Pupil, Christ the King Girls N.S.

’Whirly Windmills’ workshop with artist Jole Bortoli
“This was the best trip ever!” Pupil, Alexandra Junior School




















'Faux Fossils’ with artist Orla Kelly
“A wonderful experience for staff and pupils alike” Teacher, St. Maelruain's.


There is plenty more coming up at The Ark over the summer, including a contemporary visual arts exhibition, curated by The Ark's Visual Arts Programmer Ashleigh Downey, more exciting workshops, and a brand new 'Toddler Morning' which will take place on the 2nd Monday of every month, from June - August. For more information check out the Earth Explorers programme page http://www.ark.ie/programme/event003.html, and don't forget to check back soon for more news from The Ark's blog.

Over thirty-two museums and cultural sites are taking part in Drawing Day on Saturday 23 May, and The Ark, A Cultural Centre for Children is delighted to be one of them.

Drawing Day will form part of ‘Catch up on Culture Week 2009: 17-24 May’, a fresh initiative of the Irish Museums Association to gain new visitors to the superb cultural heritage sites around Ireland.

Find out how you can get involved in the drawing activities in The Ark on our programme page http://www.ark.ie/programme/event002.html.

Today, May 15, is International Day of the Family. This day highlights the importance of family.

Why not celebrate coming together with your family at The Ark, A Cultural Centre for Children as we celebrate Drawing Day 2009 with free practical workshops open to all ages to come and try their hand at drawing on Saturday 23 May between 2pm and 5pm.

The Ark is delighted to be taking part in National Drawing Day 2009 which is co-ordinated by the National Gallery of Ireland.

Free workshops will be facilitated by artists Anthony Collins and Joe Coveney on an exploration of the natural environment. The workshops will last 30 minutes each, starting at 2pm (2pm / 2.45pm / 3.30pm / 4:15pm). Numbers are limited so attendance is on a first come first served basis. These workshops will give a taster of the theme of the upcoming visual arts summer programme, Earth Explorers.

The Story of a Stream Workshop with artist Joe Coveney

Tell a story of a stream from source to sea. Piece by piece add your thoughts and ideas, using various drawing tools and collage to create a collaborative aerial representation of a landscape. Some areas might be built up urban developments, while some could be green fields or tall mountains.

Let your imagination run wild as you draw roads, fields, trees, mountains and houses in this creative drawing activity.

Dragonfly Workshop with artist Anthony Collins

Create a colourful dragonfly with fun and exciting materials. Assemble your artistic insect and let it hover above you as you play at being an entomologist. Through the art of drawing, study your beautiful creature before flying out the door of The Ark.

No advance booking is required. Please note that numbers may be limited at certain times subject to demand.