The Boyle Arts Festival’s School Project was created to deepen children’s engagement with both the festival and the arts. From the outset, the vision has been clear: to amplify young voices within the arts community and strengthen the connection between children’s creativity and the broader conversations around art in education and family life. By providing a dedicated platform to showcase children’s artwork at the festival, we hope to ignite excitement and pride among students, encouraging their anticipation and enthusiasm for the event.
At the end of March, Sligo-based artist, illustrator, and storyteller Wayne O’Connor began a special residency with three local Boyle schools: Abbey Primary School, Boyle Parochial School, and Corrigeenroe National School. Wayne brings extensive experience teaching creative disciplines to young people. Throughout his career as a freelance illustrator, he has contributed to a wide range of games, books, and youth-centered arts initiatives across Ireland. His passion for storytelling, which deeply informs his practice, has also seen him travel widely to deliver dynamic and engaging performances based on myths and folklore.
The focus of this year’s project is “Myth and Magic,” offering a rich exploration of stories from Ireland and beyond. Throughout the residency, students are introduced to new myths and legends, brought to life through Wayne’s lively performances. They will respond to these tales through visual art and creative writing, learning core artistic skills such as composition and character design along the way.
The Myth and Magic project has been successfully delivered in many schools over the years and traditionally culminates in a display of students’ work, accompanied by information about the stories that inspired them. For this particular residency, there may also be an opportunity to explore local Boyle legends, a possibility that will be discussed with participating teachers.
We are very much looking forward to seeing the children’s wonderful creations on display during Boyle Arts Festival 2025. Keep an eye out for their artwork showcased throughout the town during the festival dates!
