Clonaslee TY students creatively engage with award winner Maeve O’ Neill of Blooms garden festival 2019
TY students of Clonaslee college are embarking on an exciting project to develop the courtyard-garden area located in the centre of the school. Clonaslee College is a beautiful school set in the scenic foothills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains which was cleverly designed to create a state of serenity. It is planned to further improve the wellbeing of the students by enhancing this area of nature and greenery which can help to lift the spirits. The students along with their Art teacher Ms Amanda Harkin, will liaise with Maeve O’ Neill, a landscape architect and sculptor, over the coming weeks.
Grounded; growing conversations around mental illness garden (Maeve O’ Neill designer)
Grounded; growing conversations around mental illness garden was designed by Maeve who created a space that welcomed both group and individual conversation in a setting that reflected the varied nature of mental illness. It incorporated ideas and drawings that were conceived through a series of hands-on workshops with people living with or affected by mental illness. The garden was created with steel and stone, materials that reflected the strength and resilience of those living with mental illness. The design highlighted that an open conversation can be the first step along the path to recovery thereby infusing a positive message of hope. Maeve was awarded a medal for best planting in Grounded and also won a medal in 2017 for her award winning ‘Strawberry beds’.
The students will listen to a presentation on the design process from Maeve and then actively participate in drawing their ideas for the space. They will complete follow up assignments in history, geography and site analysis. Students will then present their findings and together they will fuse all ideas to develop an accessible courtyard. Concepts will then be incorporated into a final drawing that the school hopes to bring to a reality.
Grounded; growing conversations around mental illness garden (Maeve O’ Neill designer)
Much funding will be needed for this project. Some financial support has been secured through the NAPD Creative engagement project, an arts-in-education programme. This courtyard and garden development project will encourage creativity, initiative and expression in the students.
Courtyard- garden area to be developed
The principal, Suzanne McMahon is seeking financial support for this very worth project through local county councils and businesses. She believes that ‘enhancing the wellbeing of the students encourages increased educational attainment and helps them realise their potential’. Any interested parties please contact principal@clonasleecollege.ie.