Published 27.03.2025
by Kids’ Own
by Kids’ Own
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A children's arts organisation and publishing house.
Students at St. Joseph’s Special School in Sligo are taking part in a creative arts project led by visual artist Ruth Le Gear and writer Mary Branley. Funded by the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal, this initiative provides students with meaningful opportunities to express themselves through art and storytelling, culminating in a book that highlights their voices and experiences of kindness, community, and friendship.
Over 12 weeks, students of different ages have been exploring their creativity through activities such as mapping their school and surroundings, creating friendship collages, designing eight-fold books, painting, and collaborating on large-scale chalk drawings. They’ve also planted seeds—symbolising kindness and growth.
Developed in collaboration with the Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT), this project addresses the need for more arts-based opportunities for students with learning disabilities who often have limited access to extracurricular creative activities. To further support participation, Kids’ Own is also running additional workshops during mid-term and Easter.
With ongoing collaboration between the artists, school staff, and students, the project will continue to evolve, ensuring it meets the needs of all involved. We look forward to seeing how the students’ book takes shape and celebrating their creativity in the months ahead.
Learn more about our projects here: https://kidsown.ie/projects/