As a performer, I often get stuck in my own head when trying to create new, original, unique stories, characters and worlds. Using storycubes is a great, fun and playful way to provoke new ideas, to inspire unique characters and inspire original and beautiful images. Introduction During this exercise I will be leading you on your journey to create beautiful story cubes. Story cubes are wonderful objects for any creative person to have in their toolkit. They can be used in a number of diverse ways; ignite improv ideas, storytelling, artistic inspiration, etc. Need ● A4 paper ● Ruler ● Pencil ●
Read More
Archives for Uncategorized
Creating with Salt Dough
I remember fondly the salt dough creations myself and my brother made when we were small, in the dresser in our home years after making them. The ravages of time may have made some of them a little less whole, but they still had pride of place next to my mother’s best glass, china and old photos. Making Salt Dough is an ideal activity to do with children, especially during this time whilst parents are looking for activities for smallies. No doubts though that this activity can be fun for all ages! Salt dough Recipe 1 cup / 250g of
Read More
Engage with the Night Sky
CIT Blackrock Castle Observatory is used by CIT Research staff to explore topics such as pulsars, exoplanets and near-earth objects. It is an award winning Observatory and Science Centre, housed in an iconic 16th Century Castle. In addition to astronomy research, the Observatory seeks to improve science literacy, fostering interest in science, engineering and technology through the medium of astronomy. The whole team is passionate about bringing the night sky closer to the people of Cork and beyond. Through their activities and commitment, they want to inspire people of all ages and from all walks of life to experience the
Read More
At home in Body and Spirit
As a dance teacher I work with the body, mind and spirit in class. During these Pandemic days , I am doing my best to find ways of caring for my dancers, both young and old, and the various mindful movement classes I teach. In working virtually, initially it has been easiest for me to connect with spirit, through meditation. So far I have been recording meditations and combining them with my photographs and sharing on line. I have also been making video clips of movement/ choreographic work and holding on line gatherings where I carry out body awareness work
Read More
Nurturing Children’s Creativity
When schools closed recently, I got asked three times in one day how to make slime😜. It got me thinking that parents might need some creative ideas to do with their children over the next few weeks. As a practicing artist, I know the benefit of escaping to a creative space when I need to block out the real world for just a little while. With this in mind, I decided to set up a closed Facebook group for parents to help nurture their child’s creativity. It is my hope that the parents who follow along might try to take
Read More
Sense Aesthetic
Mark Ewart Openness to finding comfort in unexpected places, is something that we should welcome into our lives right now. Not as an antidote to the ‘boredom’ that broadcast media feels bound to protect us from, but instead, a quiet, dignified appreciation, for what immediately surrounds us within our confinement. Of course, the irony is that most of us are still too busy to be bored anyway – and I include those doing essential and highly valued work in the community, as well as those who have sadly lost their jobs and are now occupied by worry and stress, upon
Read More
Home is Where the Art is
Little Fine Artists is a mobile art workshop programme for children. It is a space for creative learning, for young artists to explore their own ideas and socialise with peers. The aim is to develop a young artist’s confidence in their creative practice and abilities. Little Fine Artists promotes the value in play, experimentation and imagination rather than focusing on honing a particular skill or craft. Workshops take place weekly in Cork schools and community spaces and are run by Since the recent closure of schools, colleges and cultural institutions due to coronavirus I decided to post an ongoing series
Read More
Time to be slow
This is the time to be slow, Lie low to the wall Until the bitter weather passes. Try, as best you can, not to let The wire brush of doubt Scrape from your heart All sense of yourself And your hesitant light. If you remain generous, Time will come good; And you will find your feet Again on fresh pastures of promise, Where the air will be kind And blushed with beginning. ― John O’Donohue To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings
Read More
Self Isolation Creations
What has surprised me over the last few days is how sharply and quickly isolation can set in. Despite our multiple means of communication, much of our deepest fears and anxieties are not finding pathway to expression. A few days ago I started feeling a bit powerless and wondered how I could help others feeling this way. So I started creating exercises for myself each afternoon that help me to reconnect and give me something creative to do that would stop me worrying. I’m now posting these 20 minute ‘self-isolation creations’ every day on my Instagram and Facebook pages: Lucy
Read More
Lockdown
Lockdown written by Capuchin Franciscan Brother Richard Hendrick and shared on Facebook on Friday 13 March Yes there is fear. Yes there is isolation. Yes there is panic buying. Yes there is sickness. Yes there is even death. But, They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise You can hear the birds again. They say that after just a few weeks of quiet The sky is no longer thick with fumes But blue and grey and clear. They say that in the streets of Assisi People are singing to each other across the empty squares, keeping
Read More
