Roscommon Arts Centre Announces New Season Of Classes & Workshops

This January, Roscommon Arts Centre will provide plenty of classes and workshops to satisfy anyone who was brave enough to make some new years resolutions.

Aware of the fact that many people are feeling the financial pinch these days, the arts centre is also providing a number of free workshops and cinema screenings throughout the spring, for children, adults, families and schools. The very successful free Visual Art Tour and Workshop programme run by Boyle-based artist Linda Shevlin, continues into its second year this spring. Linda will run a number of free mid-week daytime tours of the exhibitions running in the arts centre gallery space, before running a free workshop based on and inspired by the works on display in the gallery. These informal tours and workshops are the ideal way for schools, arts groups to learn more about the visual art programme and also to build confidence and have some fun. The Visual Art Tours and Workshops will run in conjunction with the exhibitions on display in the gallery by artists Bennie Reilly (8th - 10th February daily) and James Merrigan (29th - 31st March daily). Spaces are strictly limited and groups should pre-book through the arts centre box office on 090 6625824.

Linda Shevlin will also run free Tours and Workshops of the gallery for families on the last Saturday of every month throughout Spring. This programme encourages children and their parents or guardians to explore the work of art in a very relaxed and informal atmosphere, before the family has fun and gets creative with a workshop. During the workshop, the families are encouraged to create their own work or art before taking it home. The free Family Friendly Visual Art takes place on the last Saturday afternoon January - April from 3pm - 4.30pm. This is a wonderful opportunity for families to take some time, have some fun and spark their imaginations. Children must be accompanied by an adult and the project is suitable for children aged 5+. Spaces are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served based.

The hugely successful over 50s dance class which takes place in the arts centre every Wednesday morning has recently been given a lease of life with a new name. Now called the Elderberries Dance Ensemble, this group of people aged 50 and over meet every Wednesday morning for dance class with Catherine Donnelly. Learn new dance moves, improve your flexibility and build strength through gentle movement in a fun and relaxed environment. Classes cost just €5 per week and spaces are limited so come along early. The first of these classes begins on Wednesday 2nd March.

Traditional Music classes for children continue with the assistance of John Wynne (tin whistle and flute) and Fiona Doherty (fiddle and banjo). Classes take place in the arts centre on Wednesday afternoons and are specifically designed to be small enough to allow each child to get individual attention. Beginners and intermediate/advanced students are welcome, first class of the term begins on Wednesday 19th January. Call the box office on 090 6625824 to reserve your place now.

Anja Sammon returns with her very popular After School Art class for primary school children on Thursday 13th January. During this 12 week term of classes, children are encouraged to get creative and will create and take home a different work each week. Anja's class was very popular last season and early booking is advised by calling 090 6625824.

Filmed, the very popular free cinema screenings programme for schools, run in association with the Irish Film Institute (IFI) returns to Roscommon Arts Centre this spring with educational screenings for both primary and secondary students. Already, some of these free screenings are completely booked up and teachers are encouraged to check out www.roscommonartscentre.ie for a full list of screenings or contact the box office on 090 6625824 to be forwarded details.

Songs for While I'm Away
There are still some tickets remaining for ‘Songs for While I'm Away', a night of music and live entertainment to celebrate the life and talents of the late great Phil Lynott on Saturday 15th January, 8pm at Roscommon Arts Centre. Celebrating the life and music of Phil Lynott on the 25th anniversary of his death, the evening will feature live bands, old concert footage, videos and slide shows plus special guests to join us for a very special night. Tickets are just €13 are available by calling 090 6625824.

Druid almost Sold Out
Tickets for ‘The Cripple of Inishmaan' by Martin McDonagh and produced by Druid Theatre Company are almost sold out. Three performance will take place at Roscommon Arts Centre on Thursday 27th - Saturday 29th January, 8pm. Directed by Roscommon native Garry Hynes, this production by this world renowned, award-winning company will be one not to be missed. Call Roscommon Arts Centre's box office to reserve your seats now on 090 6625824.

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