Art on a Plate at Scart NS Pottery Classes

Potter, Marjorie Cunningham pictured with Scartaglin NS Junior Infants and the results of their pottery class. Front row: Adam Caldwell, Jack O’Connor, Amy Griffin, Ruairí Murphy, Megan Herlihy, Cian McCarthy and Paul Kerin. Back row: Ciarán Ryan, Darragh Browne, Daniel O’Sullivan, Millie Hughes, Séan O’Connor, Jessie O’Keeffe, Owen O’Keeffe, Caoimhe O’Connell, Éabha Harkin and Aoife Tangney. ©Photograph: John Reidy

The Senior Infants with their plates from the Pottery class with Ms. Cunningham at Scartaglin National School. Front row: Darragh Casey, Kyle Buckley, Edel O’Donoghue, Sophie Horgan, Marjorie Cunningham, potter; Niamh O’Donnell, Mairéad Bn.Uí Bhrosnacháin, principal; Cormac Walsh, Laura McShane and Ava O’Riordan. Back row: Kirsten O’Connor, Aodhán O’Connor, Freddy Mahony, Conor Reidy, William McCarthy, Ryan Walsh Murphy, Ciarán McCarthy, Adam Tangney, Shayne Fitzgerald and Ruby Horgan. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Potential Potters: Scartaglin NS Senior Infants pupils, Kyle Buckley (left) and Ryan Walsh were delighted with the results of their Pottery Class with Marjorie Cunningham. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Happy with their plate production: Niamh O’Donnell,Marjorie Cunningham, potter; Kyle Buckley, Ryan Walsh Murphy, Mairéad Bn. Uí Bhrosnacháin,principal and Laura McShane at Scartaglin NS. ©Photograph: John Reidy

First Class Potters: Potter, Marjorie Cunningham pictured with Scartaglin NS First Class and their completed plates. From left: Michael Horan, Gary Boyle, Maggie Riordan, Eimear Tangney, Dylan Herlihy and Jason Brosnan with Seán Butler at the back. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Potter, Marjorie Cunningham pictured with young potters: Gary Boyle and Eimear Tangney and their just finished plates at Scartaglin NS. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Scartaglin National School pupils enjoyed pottery classes recently with renowned potter, Marjorie Cunningham.  The pupils were first shown how to make clay plates.

Each child made their own plate and formed their handprint on it. Marjorie took the plates away to be fired – and the pupils were fired up in anticipation of the return of the finished product.

Plates, potter, principal and pupils were photographed on the the day of the unveiling and presentation of the finished and commemorative  pieces.

The pottery classes were funded by the Scartaglin Parents’ Council.

Creative Dance classes with Kerry County Council’s Dancer in Residence, Maria Svensson are taking place at the school at present.

On ‘Pancake Tuesday’ the parents’ council hosted a ‘Pancake Day’ with healthy options as fillings and this was part-funded by North & East Kerry Development. The funds raised will go to Crumlin Children’s Hospital.

The ‘Creative Kids with potter Marjorie’ is an idea and inspiration which came from Marjorie Cunningham. Ms. Cunningham has lived in Ballymacelligott for thirty three years. After graduating from the Crawford School of Art, she received a Guinness Peat Aviation Award for sculpture.

Her work has been exhibited in Siamsa Tire, Tralee, St. John’s, Listowel, Tintean Theatre, Ballybunion, Frank Lewis, Killarney, Libraries in Ballylongford, Killarney and Tralee. Tralee Institute of Technology library houses her woodcarving titled, ‘Riverdance’. The piece was inspired by the well-known stage show. It depicts the Celtic flow of the dancers and the passionate magnetism between them.

For eighteen years, Marjorie produced Ceramics in a studio at Blennerville Windmill. Her pieces have travelled as far as the USA, Australia and many other countries.

Ballymacelligott has become a place of inspiration for this artist, with Glenageenta wood a little north of her home and Ballyseede wood a little south. From her workshop she has a beautiful view of the Gap of Dunloe and Carrantuohill.

Working from nature and a sense of spirit for the past five years, has resulted in a solo show each year. Her next exhibition will be held in St John’s, Listowel through the month of August and work is included in the Killarney based Frank Lewis Gallery throughout the year.

Marjorie Cunningham has also spent a long time working with children. She encourages creativity with clay and its tactile use in developing motor skills and co-ordination. The experience helps the child to use their imaginations and diverts from the overuse of technology.

Marjorie has studied Child psychology and Montessori methods and believes that in our present time, children should be more aware of their natural surroundings.

Marjorie Cunningham can be contacted at 086-8246075.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKYpa6Sy1Gs