Press Release: The Three Muses

Clay Through the Ages | Three Strands

Clay Through the Ages focuses on each institution’s collection of ceramic objects. Award-wining local artist Ann McBride selected four objects from across the three participating institutions; the goal of using these items is to explore topics including materiality, decoration, design, fine art, form, function and culture. ‘Clay Through the Ages’ has been developed under three strands.

The first strand is the creation of a Digital Teacher’s Pack. The pack will include lesson plans based on and inspired by the four ceramic objects, and each lesson will involve a classroom-based clay activity where both pupils and teachers will enjoy the versatility of clay to explore elements of the visual arts, SESE and history curriculum.

The second strand is a Clay Through The Ages online game entitled Truffles: the Treasure Hunting Piggy. The game, developed in partnership with a team of students in SETU Carlow, is a fun, colourful and engaging way of interacting with the four chosen objects and learning about them in a new and modern format. Designed to complement the lesson plans in the teacher’s pack, the game also works as a stand-alone resource. Truffles the Treasure Hunting Piggy navigates the streets of Old Limerick to collect treasures and artefacts. The game seeks to reveal the rich cultural heritage of Limerick. Visit the game at the link below.

Strand three is a Clay Through The Ages workshop programme that takes place in the three partner venues. This interactive workshop offers pupils the chance to travel through space and time focusing on ceramic objects from the three institutions, beginning in the Bronze Age, concluding with examples of contemporary ceramics. Pupils will learn about the techniques and processes used to create clay objects and how these have changed over time. All activities are designed to encourage pupils to develop a physical relationship with the objects and to develop a broad understand of how museums and galleries operate.

Links to the Online Resources

Truffles ‘The Treasure Hunting Piggy’ Online Game

The Three Muses Primary School Resources