Crafty teens work with glass artist on unique project

A group of art students have left a lasting impression on their school, thanks to a creative collaboration with glass artist Michael Ray.

The teenagers from Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig worked with Mr. Ray and their art teacher, Niamh O'Neill over this school year as part of an Arts Council project to mark the Year of the Craft in 2011. Six schools were chosen from around the country to work with a local crafts person and produce a magnificent piece of work to hang in their school.

The group based the piece on a glass dove incorporating the four seasons. The idea stemmed from their chosen theme 'Voyage' with the final design representing their own voyage through their school days. The project took months to plan and each glass section of the bird had to be made and fired separately. Michael, whose work is in the National Museum of Ireland's Glass collection, The Crafts Council’s National Collection and the Department of Foreign affairs, as well as numerous private and corporate collections, visited the school on a number of occasions and was able to teach the students new skills never used in a classroom situation before.