Cruinniú na nÓg – Creative Adventures with Paint and Leaves
Today, Saturday 12th June is Cruinniú na nÓg — the free day of creativity for children and young people — and the Ellen Hutchins Festival has contributed to the creativity with a nature art journey, Creative Adventures with Leaves and Paint. This is by talented Co Cork nature artist, Sue van Coppenhagen, and the Adventures take place from 23rd June to 21st July, with taster videos released today. See the tasters here.
There are three journeys, with different activities suited to 5-8 years, 9-12 years and 13+. They start with collecting leaves from plants and trees nearby. Through video tutorials, and using paint and other materials, children will explore shape and form, examine textures and details, and learn how to interpret them in imaginative, creative ways.
Sue shows a whole range of techniques including painting, printing, and exploring the properties of wax, water and paint. The art materials used (and everyday items including old toothbrushes and sponges) are easily found at home or from a local arts and crafts shop or online.
There are three online sessions for each age range, with video tutorials and step-by-step instructions released on Wednesdays 23rd June, 7th and 21st July. Taster videos and the list of materials needed were released today to coincide with Cruinniú na nÓg, giving plenty of time to get materials together before the journeys start on Wednesday 23rd.
Sue, an experienced art teacher, developed these activities for a session in the stables at Bantry House on Wild Child Day in Heritage Week 2019 as part of the Ellen Hutchins Festival. Now they are available nationwide online through Cruinniú na nÓg with funding from Cork County Council Library and Arts Service.
The Cruinniú na nÓg / Creative Adventures page here on the Ellen Hutchins website has all the information on it, including the materials list, and later will have the instruction sheets and videos. Once the journeys start on Wednesday 23rd June it will also act as an online gallery where finished pieces of work can be displayed and seen. See here.