Update from the Trades Club Revival

The much-anticipated revival of Sligo Trades Club is now underway.  Renovation work, which will see this once vibrant centre for community in Sligo a step closer to reopening, is almost complete.  In recent weeks a new stairs has been installed and vital plumbing, electrical and carpentry work are now nearing completion.

Sligo Trades Club was an enormously successful members club, which ran as a centre for community in Sligo town between 1893 – 2007. At its height the club was unique in that it attracted people of all ages and backgrounds to come together – providing a forum for the exchange of ideas, music, poetry, song and dance. The Trades Club has been badly missed in the town in the past two years and this is evidenced by the 487 fans the revival project has attracted on its Facebook page, and by the attendance at public meetings about the club’s future over the past few weeks.

Construction work at the Trades Club this week

Opportunities at The Model 2010

Architects projection of the future Model

Over the past few weeks early plans have finally started to roll out in preparation for the exciting year ahead when the Model finally reopens on The Mall in Spring 2010. Works are currently drawing to a close at the Model building, and the staff here in our temporary offices are eagerly awaiting the return to our old, but very new home.

As the building will be 1/3 the size bigger than before, a number of exciting opportunities have arisen. We are currently seeking the following:

• Curatorial Interns for our 2010 visual art programme. Internships will support Model contemporary art programming, collection programming and development, Model projects, and The Model studios programme. More info>
• Application for Artists Studios: With expanded facilities and space, The Model promises to be one of Ireland’s most unique art spaces. Inclusive of its Redevelopment are seven studios available for rental by professional artists. More info>
• Restaurant Tender: As a celebrated hub for art and culture, The Model anticipates that the successful Restaurant Team will meet the expectations of The Model’s identity and vision. More info >

For further information call The Model directly on 071 9141405.

Update from the Collage Parties at Reverse Pedagogy

As we already blogged, the schools programme took place at the Reverse Pedagogy show over the past few weeks. If you would like to see what they have been up to drop into the Model Satellite on Castle Street. Reverse Pedagogy closes on November 22nd.

Here is an update from some of the people involved in running the parties;

Schools Programme- 'Collage parties' at Reverse Pedagogy

Artist Naomi Draper describes her expereince from thsi week’s ‘Collage Parties’

“The space has quite literally burst into colour!! Hundreds of young people visit the gallery last week, participating in a game that worked its way through three gallery spaces, the children embraced the challenge, jumping right in! They worked in groups, against the clock, playing with ideas, colours and textures, and applied them to the giant games board.
The time flew past and a great piece of work was made that should be examined closely. The range of ages made this a really interesting and exciting project to work on!!”

Irene Moloney, volunteer at the Collage Parties offered her journal of the activities;

Frenetic is a word that comes to mind.  The younger children seemed to really enjoy the play with materials and the idea that they were contributing to a larger art work that would be seen by others.  The older secondary school boys were engaged differently and like most teenage boys were inclined towards, what some in society might consider, the inappropriate and risqué in the choice of imagery and text chosen.  Over all I personally found the experience a positive one and the creative engagement with so many young people was challenging, hectic and enjoyable.  I felt overall it was a success and all involved seemed to bet something out of it.  Would I be willing to participate as a volunteer again in the future?  The answer has to be yes

Facilitator Sophie Murray describes what she thought of the collage party;

As hectic as it was I found the week to be enjoyable, what I found most interesting was usually its the grown ups that teach the children but in my case it was the other way round.  As adults we tend to think to much about things like “how will it look” or “I dont want to mess it up” but the kids just went for it. Their marks were delibrate but fun and it gave me some insight
on how I should look at my own way of working.

More pics here>