Keystone – Marking 20 years of Artist in Schools programming by Clare Arts Office

Keystone has been commissioned by Clare County Council to celebrate and mark 20 years of Artist in Schools programming by Clare Arts Office. The curatorial framework Art School, directed and curated by Jennie Guy, has been invited to deliver the project by artists Mitch Conlon and James Moran, with co-curator Fiona Gannon. The project will take place over the course of 2022 and 2023 in Coláiste Muire (Ennis) and Scoil Mhuire (Ennistymon) in County Clare, providing an opportunity for fifth-year students to work with the artists to explore the significance of myth within local youth cultures. 

As a duo, Mitch and James are interested in local history, community activism and theatre. These modes of performance and thinking provide an opportunity to activate old with potential for new directions. Building on Clare’s rich mythology, the artists propose to research the connections and possible disconnections between the contemporary youth cultures and histories of the towns of Ennis and Ennistymon.

“To mark the celebration of the 20th anniversary of our Arts in Education programme we have invited Art School to undertake Keystone, an ambitious long-term contemporary arts project with the staff and students of two secondary schools in County Clare,” said Clare County Arts Officer, Siobhan Mulcahy. “We are excited by the prospect of these amazing contemporary artists working directly with the students using a multi-faceted approach to creating and recording stories culminating in the development of a short film.”

The artists will work with the students to explore questions including: What are sites of mythological importance for teenagers in these two towns? Are these the same as those deemed important by the wider communities? And how do teenagers relate to the collective unconscious of their wider local communities?

Director of Art School, Jennie Guy, stated: “Keystone is the first Art School project since the publication of the ground-breaking book Curriculum in 2020, which brought international attention to the work Art School has done with nearly 1,000 students in over 30 schools around Ireland since 2014. Mitch and James’ idea of working with these narratives as a means of giving agency to young audiences to reconsider local histories and the significance of everyday places will form an exciting next chapter of Art School and its wider vision. My co-curator Fiona Gannon and I are looking forward to this chance to work with the students and staff of Coláiste Muire and Scoil Mhuire and to see how this project unfolds.”

Artist and art teacher, Mary Fahy from Scoil Mhuire, said: “Scoil Mhuire, Ennistymon, is an all-girls secondary school whose aim is to foster the holistic development of each student in a supportive learning environment, enabling all to lead fulfilling lives. Our fifth-year art class are thrilled to be participating in this collaborative, socially engaged Artist in Schools project. It is an incredible opportunity for students to co-create art with professional artists in a supportive environment that centres their opinions and artistic voice.”

Art teacher Aidan Power from Coláiste Muire added: “Coláiste Muire, Ennis, is an all-girls secondary school originally established in the town by the Mercy Sisters in 1860 and was moved to its current location in 1941. We have a strong artistic tradition in music, performance and visual art which helps our students to nurture a sense of self while striving for academic success. Our fifth-year art class will be taking part in this collaborative project which will develop their artistic skills in a new and exciting direction. The learned knowledge will go on to support future projects throughout their senior cycle art course.”

Caption:

‘Curriculum: Contemporary Art Goes to School’ (2020), edited by Jennie Guy.

Page last reviewed: 23/11/22

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