Kate Wilson
Work in Education, Summary

Kate has worked extensively with adults and children of all ages in art and dance theatre tuition. Her own summer school 'The Action Gallery', for 8-12 year olds in county Sligo was established in 2004 and receives funding from  Sligo County Council. This summer School combines the two areas of art and dance in the creation of cross arts performances during the week long course.

In 2004 Kate was asked to work with children from four North Sligo national schools creating dance performances to be accompanied by the Vogler Quartet in a theatre performance marking the culmination of the quartet's residency in Sligo. This work included the creation of the film, 'beach'  with students from S N Realt na Mar, which was screened in the Hawkswell Theatre accompanied by the Vogler String Quartet.

In 2005 Kate was awarded support from the Sligo VEC for her  'Self Portrait Project' . In this project she worked with students from 6th class from four south Sligo national schools . These students were tutored in self portraiture working with charcoal, oil pastel, collage and oils. The resulting work was used in the creation of a joint exhibition that toured the four schools.

In 2007 Kate has been working in St Patrick's Boys National School, Donabate. This project was funded by Fingal County Council. Kate worked with the two 6th classes exploring a nature theme with charcoal, oil pastel and acrylic paint on board. The project culminated in a painted glass mural spanning a school corridor, designed and painted by the students. An exhibition of all the work produced during the project is planned to coincide with the classes graduation week at the end of the school year.

Tulips and Oysters have jointly given a number of Cross Arts Workshops for professional dancers and musicians in the Sligo and Dublin areas.

Notes from workshops with Eva Karczag
Siobhan Davies Studios, London, December 2006

'Painted Glass Project, Feedback
St Patricks Boys School, Donebate'

I am delighted to record the very great success of the art project undertaken with Kate Wilson and funded by Fingal Arts Department.

The objective was to paint “stained glass” windows in a corridor to hide an ugly but essential bin storage area.   Kate acted as facilitator and her advice, guidance, instruction and educational input was outstanding, and we are left with a truly artistic piece of work to enhance our school.

Kate worked with all the children in 6th class (44 boys in total), every child at the design stages and a team of six worked to complete the project.   Every child experienced still life drawing in charcoal and in oil pastels and paint – each process drawing on and developing the previous stage in a truly educational manner.  These boys will have developed an awareness and appreciation of form and colour as well as an awareness of how an artist works to plan, develop and execute an idea.   This is a level of artistic awareness and knowledge that our staff could not hope to impart without Kate’s advice and guidance.

The boys were at all times active and engrossed in their work and staff who saw the boys’ application to and enjoyment of the task in hand all remarked on both this and the quality of their paintings.   Every child has a memento of his school days in St. Patrick’s that he will continue to take great pride in in the years to come.

Kate’s technical advice was invaluable – what materials & equipment – where to source them – how long will it take to dry etc., made the task possible and the final product has made a useless area of the school a very valuable space.   We look forward to putting it to good use.

Overall, the project was a wonderful experience for all concerned and we could like to get an opportunity to take part again.

Anne Marie Hennigan,
Priomhoide