Published 22.01.2015
by Kids’ Own

Virtually There opens in Northern Ireland at Void, Derry

Virtually There continues its six-venue tour as it opens at Void Arts Centre in Derry on 31 January 2015. This exhibition of work made collaboratively by school children, teachers and artists in Northern Ireland explores what happens when artists in their studios collaborate online with children in the classroom.

The exhibition showcases work from the Virtually There project, the only long-term arts project running in Northern Irish schools. Demonstrating the use of virtual technology to connect studio and classroom, the exhibition features work created by children in collaboration with artists Ann Donnelly, Julie Forrester, Ann Henderson, Sharon Kelly and Andrew Livingstone. During the project, artist and class communicate via an interactive screen and whiteboard and the children’s responses to ideas proposed by the artist guide the direction of the project, over a number of months. Storms, tomatoes, cabbages, random patterns, silhouettes, dissolving heads and computers all play a part in the exhibition which challenges expectations of what can be achieved when children and artists work virtually together.

Artists’ Development Programme at Void, Derry

As part of the Virtually There touring programme at Void, Derry, we are excited to announce a new development programme with Artist Ann Donnelly, who has been working on the Virtually There project for the past six years. Over a series of days, artists will have an opportunity to connect with Ann, and develop their own practice working with children and young people.
Contact Sally Murphy at Void, Derry for more information: [email protected] or ph. +44 (0)28 71308080

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Virtually There is discovering compelling new ways to engage this generation of young people in the arts. The democratising potential of the technology is being inventively exploited so that the arts are brought closer to young people and the young people are more fully able to realise their own artistic abilities.’ – Roisín McDonagh, Chief Executive of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland

The Virtually There exhibition continues at Void until 21 February 2015. For further information visit http://www.derryvoid.com/

The exhibition will tour to F.E. McWilliam Gallery, Banbridge, Co. Down from 9 March – 11 April 2015, with a programme of events for children, teachers and artists. Keep an eye on the Kids’ Own website for more information.

The Virtually There exhibition and event tour (2014–15) is funded by the Arts Council’s Touring and Dissemination of Work Award – in partnership with the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

The Virtually There Residency Project, now running in its eighth year, is developed and managed by Kids’ Own. The project is also supported by C2k Education Network who provide the infrastructure and services to develop the enhanced use of ICT in schools in Northern Ireland.

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