Write and Illustrate your Story
Writer’s block? Not a trace of it amongst our local authors! Our six week set of classes for the ‘Write and Illustrate your Story’ Community Art project recently ended on April 13th. With participants ranging in age from Senior Infants to Senior Citizens, we’ve had a very enjoyable and productive experience. After initial brainstorming followed by weeks of busily writing, of sharing anecdotes and artwork ideas, each writer has now brought home their own individual illustrated story in booklet format.
And what a miscellany! From fantastic adventures featuring beloved pets, magical objects, creepy creatures, cracked teeth, bullies, superheroes, childhood memories, wartime tales, Formula One, Direct Provision, altruistic acts, to poignant but beautiful accounts of dear ones’ last days, each story is unique. This is an example from our youngest participant, Ben O’Donoghue, aged six, writing about his Dad, with his drawing of them playing soccer:
My Dad
‘My dad is in the army. He is in the Lebanon. I am very proud of my dad and love him very much. My dad plays football with me. He is coming home on the 4th of April. When he comes home we will have a big party for him and my baby sister who will be 2 years old. My Mammy loves when my dad is at home. I like to make things out of items in the recycling bin and my dad helps me. I think my dad is a hero.’
In addition to the sponsorship from Glounthaune Tidy Towns and Cork County Council Creative Communities Scheme, this community project could not have progressed without the involvement of local volunteers – Angela Reidy, Maeve Tomlins and Lindita Jaupaj who helped me with the classes. Michael Power and Carol Harpur have taken photos and footage to produce a short film about the project.
Meanwhile, all the written submissions with accompanying illustrations will be compiled into an anthology, due for publication in May. The official launch of our community stories will take place in Glounthaune Community Centre (date to be confirmed), where copies of the book can be purchased. Samples of the illustrations will be on display, while some of our authors might treat us to a reading of their work!
For more photos see FB www.facebook.com/frazzledmammycork/
(From Project Coordinator, Art Teacher and Illustrator Maeve O’Keeffe)
©Maeve O’Keeffe