The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
Members of the Mosaic Course 2013 at West Clare Resource Centre (WCRC) in Miltown Malbay will launch a unique bench on Thursday afternoon next.
The Miltown Mosaic Bench, which was designed by Liscannor artist and teacher, Marie Connole, reflects the theme of music. It features musical notes floating across waves of coloured tiles and a piano keyboard, which acts as the seat. The bench was completed in late 2013 by local adult learners from the WCRC mosaic course and was facilitated by Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board.
Geraldine Cotter, who will launch the event, comes from a well-known musical family and many in Clare will remember her mother, Dympna Lernehan, who traveled on the West Clare Railway to teach music at St Joseph’s in Spanish Point.
Cora O’Grady, co-ordinator at WCRC and chair of the community garden projects, initiated the mosaic course and encouraged locals to take part.
The bench itself was constructed by Fred Hems using concrete and brick, while Marie Connole directed the participants in outdoor mosaic technique.
“WCRC mosaic course participants all hail from the Miltown area. For many, it was their first time working on outdoor mosaic and they have continued to create work in their own gardens and homes,” Ms Connole said.
Currently, WCRC is running a Fetac Level 5 Horticulture course, which has 15 participants. To coincide with the bench launch, the horticulture class will hold a sale of organic produce and vegetables that they have grown in the community garden.
Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (LCETB) are aware of the importance of developing integration and collaboration in rural communities. The Clare Adult Basic Education Service aims for self-directed learning, with the objective that groups take the initiative themselves to continue to work together. Many of the WCRC mosaic course participants have since created mosaic work in their own gardens and homes.
The launch event takes place in the community garden of the West Clare Resource Centre at 2.15pm. Following the launch, Geraldine Cotter will play some piano tunes.
