ATHY, 18 June 2001: by Josephine Coyne. Puppet shows, theatre, arts and crafts, flower arranging are just some of the festivities which will feature in the library this summer as part of our annual week-long Arts Festival for Children.
This is the fourth year we have been running this event which has proved a great success with children of all ages flocking to the library to become involved. Our aim is to make a wide variety of of art events available for everyone.
Due to the popularity of the festival and the high levels of attendance, numbers will be limited in some events, so advance booking will be required.
The show begins on Tuesday, July 10, when The National Gallery of Ireland holding two art workshops for children. From 2pm-3pm ‘Shape Up’ where children will explore shapes and patterns through works in the National Gallery collection. This is suitable for 4-8 year olds and is subject to a maximum of 35 children taking part.
From 3pm-4pm ‘Funny Faces’ workshop which is designed to encourage children to explore portraits based on works of the National Gallery. Suitable for 9-12 year olds and again, a maximum of 35 children.
July 11 at 11am will see a visit by the Red Cross who will run a very entertaining safety workshop for children. That afternoon, from 3pm-4.30pm will see a visit by popular caricaturist Daniel Ray Young who will transform the children into cartoon characters. Booking is necessary for this event.
Anna Banana returns on July 12 from 2.30pm-3.30pm with her show of juggling, singing, dancing and acting. This event is suited to 3-8 year olds and advance booking is required.
‘Adventures in Clowntown’ is the title of the theatre show to be performed by The Crooked House Theatre Company on July 13 from 2.30pm-3.30pm. this interactive performance for children examines ways of making learning fun. It is suitable for 5-9 year olds and advance booking is necessary.
JUly 14 from 2.30pm-3.30pm is the first visit to the library of puppeteer Julie Rose-McCormick. The puppet show ‘Beauty and the Beast’ is the classic tale of magic and love. Suitable for 3-10 year olds.
July 17 sees a flower arranging workshop for children from 2pm-3pm. This is suitable for 7-11 year olds and is limited to 14, so book now.
Throughout the week, from July 10-13, there will be a Summer Storytime for the under 8s from 11am.
All the above events are free of charge, however preference will be given to current library members, so join now! Membership of the library is free up to 18 years of age!
For bookings or further information, contact (0507) 31144.