Stop Motion Animation Workshops with Vanessa Daws

August 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th 2009 - for teenagers and adults!

Courthouse Gallery Ennistymon presents a series of stop motion animation workshops in August 2009.

During the workshop participants will use different stop motion animation techniques such as sand animation, bringing drawings to life, claymation and making objects appear to move by themselves. In groups, the participants will develop storyboards, build characters and sets, use sound and take lots of photos. When these photos are played at 12 frames per second the characters created will magically come to life!

All the animations will be edited together with music and all participants will receive a copy of their animation on DVD.

The workshops are open to teenagers and adults and will run daily from 12pm to 4pm. Participants can take part for one day, two days, three days, or even do all four days...the more workshops you do, the more you will get out of it! If possible, participants will need to bring their own digital camera.

Workshops cost €20 per day.

Booking is essential as places are limited.

To book a place, please contact Courthouse Gallery Ennistymon on 065 707 1630 or email ennistymoncourthousegallery@gmail.com.

August 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th
12pm - 4pm
€20 per day

'Dolphin Address' by JAN PLOEG

Photography and Video exhibition

Launch 19th June at 8pm - exhibition runs until July 12th
The official opening takes place on the 19th June by Dr. Simon Berrow, founder of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group and Project officer of the Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife Foundation
The exhibition of the Dutch sculptor and photography artist Jan Ploeg shows 26 large mounted photographs of the dolphin Dusty, taken just under the waters' surface, where the sunlight is still strong, making her appear as being clad in a golden shroud. In addition, three computers will be set up where visitors will be able to view hundreds of photographs and underwater videos or logon to the artist's website www.janploeg.nl

What makes Jan's work so unique is his passion and dedication to nature, the sea and dolphins in particular. During his first visit to Ireland in 1992, he started to swim with 'Fungi the Dolphin' and later in 2002 with 'Dusty'. In order to understand and sculpt these wonderful animals better, he developed 'WaterWing', which he is still using to swim with the dolphin.
It can best be described as a fusion of the pectoral fins, which are tilted into an up and down movement in which the water is pushed backwards. This 'WaterWing', as well as Jan's swimming gear and monofin will be shown at the launch of the exhibition.

In his own words, Jan describes his work as follows: "As a sculptor I am interested in matching properties of wood, like the shape, colour or grain with an image from Nature. The image, whether in three-dimensional wood, in expressive language or in visual capture is my major inspiration". He goes on to say: "I always start from reality, attempt to share its beauty, explore its manifestations or demonstrate hidden dimensions. I like to coin this approach 'Poetic Reality' as an encouraging counterpart to the harshness generally ascribed to it".

Jan made three books: 'Dolphin Address', 'Dusty' and 'Waterscapes'. These books and the photographs in A4 format by on-the-spot printing will be on sale in the Gallery during the exhibition.In addition, he has made a DVD, named 'Dolphin Address' containing underwater videos, an anthology of the 'Dolphin Address' website articles, a 30 chapter story about his teenage adventure and more short stories will be available as well.

Examples and details of his work can be found on www.janploeg.nl

'Impressions of Place' by ROBIN GRACE

Photography Launch 19th June at 8 pm exhibition runs until 25th July

This exhibition documents the many people and places Robin has encountered throughout the World, looking at countries such as Mongolia, China, India and Uganda. 'Impressions of Place' tells the story of people and how they live, their culture and spirituality.
His affinity for documentary led him to work for press agencies in both Limerick and London. Robin is now based in Dublin, working as a freelance photographer.
Born in Ireland, he studied Photography and Digital Imaging at Reading College and School of Art and Design.

Art Exhibition by the 2009 FETAC students, Ennistymon Vocational School

June 5th at 8pm
Officially opened by George O'Callaghan



The exhibition runs until June 12th

The students are studying Art FETAC level 5 course. This year the students have covered various disciplines including Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Photography, Ceramics, Combined Materials, Printmaking, Printed Textiles, Work Experience and Communications.
The course draws applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds, ages and educational experience. This lively mixture of people benefits staff and students and promotes a positive open-minded environment for learning to take place. The art produced is reflective of this diversity.
info on the FETAC level 5 Art course 2009/2010 please contact Bairbre Geraghty on 087 6595250