13 December 2005

As part of the LEIS project Toni and Bonnie (the LEIS development workers) went to Dundalk to find out from tutors and learners what they considered to be the issues of literacy and equality that affected their lives. We also wanted to pilot/test our zipper sculpturing methodology - this involves using recycled and non-traditional art materials to create sculptures that can express and represent a person’s feelings on a particular issue. 

Mary Hession, Adult Literacy Organiser, County Louth VEC (Vocational Educational Committee), had very kindly invited us to Dundalk and issued the invitation to tutors and learners to attend our workshop.  Twelve people attended the session/workshop and to our surprise and delight each person created a sculpture and shared their experiences with us.

As people completed their sculptures, they talked about their creations with Bonnie or Toni, who tape-recorded the stories with their permission. There was a break for tea and biscuits, and then everybody reassembled to talk together as a whole group.

Feedback was generally very positive with the only negatives being the short duration of the workshop (2 hours) and the limited room space – issues that can be easily remedied.

Oliver                                                      Luke