The Inishowen Carnival Group and Earagail Arts Festival are delighted to announce two training opportunities as part of the Rural Carnival Skills Training Project funded by Donegal Local Development Company.
The workshops are designed to provide skills necessary in the creation of large scale mechanical carnival props and participation is open to anyone aged 16+ resident in Donegal Local Development Company catchment area (excludes Inishowen, Gaeltacht and Letterkenny Urban area).
We are keen to attract participants with trades skills such as welding, joinery, as well as anyone with an interest in sculpture and community arts.
Lightweight Construction Techniques Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd May, 10am – 4pm, Ballybofey.
The tutors are Liam Hirrell, Derek Doherty and Kevin O’Neill of the Inishowen Carnival Group
This workshop will introduce techniques for the construction of medium to large scale carnival props using willow, plastic tubing and fibreglass rod as a basic structure covered with muslin, paper and other materials to create a variety of light weight solid forms.
Mechanical Structures, Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th June 2011. 10am – 4pm. (TBC)
The tutors are John Quinn and Paddy Bloomer (BEAT Initiative Belfast and the venue is the Old Fire Station, Killybegs
Participants will explore key techniques in the design and making of large scale mechanical carnival props for street parades and festival events looking at examples of large scale work by international groups, exploring design ideas and discussing issues regarding building, performance and long term maintenance, and creating the basic structures of at least two large carnival props by the end of the weekend.
Meanwhile the Carnival Skills Community Outreach Project continues to be very popular.
The project takes place in Milford, Ballybofey, Ardara and Killybegs – between May and July and is at encouraging local community members to learn skills which will be useful in creating costumes and props for community carnivals and other community performances.
Workshops will include making of hats, headgear, back packs, hand held props and costume making as well as rehearsals in preparation for local performances and for the Earagail Festival Parade in Letterkenny on the 9th July.
Participation is FREE OF CHARGE but BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL as places are limited CONTACT KEVIN O’NEILL, Inishowen Carnival Group, Tel. 0876836478, 0749373375 email: inishowencarnival@hotmail.com – For more information please do not hesitate to contact.
