The Lewis Glucksman Gallery, University College Cork (UCC) will divulge the secret of the art of looking to every school in Munster, with the start of the new school year. The Art of Looking, an art pack which will be launched in the Glucksman today (20 September 2006), is the first Glucksman publication specifically concerned with raising levels of visual sensitivity, particularly among younger visitors to the Glucksman. By offering diverse entry-points into the artworks on display, the art pack enables viewers to actively engage with contemporary art.
Generously funded by SuperValu Kids in Action and the Bridging the Gap project, through which UCC engages in a learning partnership with schools in Cork city, every school in Munster will receive a complimentary copy of the pack, raising awareness of the value of visual culture and bringing the UCC Collection to a wider audience. Noel Keeley, Human Resources Director of the Musgrave Group, who will officially launch the pack, said: “The art pack presents an innovative and imaginative approach to gallery education. It is a vibrant and exciting publication which can be enjoyed by young and old alike.”
Glucksman Director, Fiona Kearney, delighted with the enthusiastic response that The Art of Looking has received, emphasised the significance of the publication, “This art pack will serve as an extremely valuable tool in the delivery of the visual arts curriculum and will reinforce the fundamental role of the art gallery in supplementing classroom-based education.”
Since the Glucksman opened in October 2004 seven and a half thousand children have participated in the Gallery’s schools programme. The art pack offers detailed information on the Glucksman and twelve works from the University College Cork Art Collection, presenting strategies for engaging with these artworks. UCC has built up a significant collection of Irish art over the past twenty years. The Art of Looking celebrates the importance of this rich resource, highlighting works by artists such as Basil Blackshaw, Hughie O’Donoghue, Tony O’Malley and Paul Seawright.
The art pack was conceived and written by Nora Hickey, Curator of Education and Collections, in consultation with many of the contributing artists, museum and gallery professionals nationally and internationally, staff and postgraduate students of the Education Department, UCC, practising teachers and the Glucksman’s team of freelance art facilitators.
The launch of The Art of Looking takes place this evening (20 September) in the Glucksman Gallery.
Further information from: Marie McSweeney, Press Officer, University College Cork, (T) 021 4902371; (M) 086 0845182.
