National Museum of Ireland and the Crafts Council of Ireland Launches Treasure-Hunt Trail

(Today Sunday 13th Feb) Four young ‘explorers' joined forces with some very special Crafted Creatures - PVC and fabric rabbits by artist Sharon Hay, as they 'hopped' on the LUAS to follow the Find: Crafted Creatures trail - a self-guided weekend treasure-hunt trail for families produced by The Ark and the National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts and History, brought to you by LUAS. The trail runs alongside Crafted Creatures, an exhibition and series of craft workshops where each child can make their own crafted creature, running at The Ark from 15th February, specially commissioned by The Ark, A Cultural Centre for Children and the Crafts Council of Ireland as part of Year of Craft 2011.

The Find: Crafted Creatures trail map can be picked up at The Ark and in any of the NMI's Dublin sites, or download one from ark.ie. Once you have the trail map follow the clues to uncover captivating crafted creatures at the National Museum of Ireland - Decorative Arts and History at Collins Barracks, The Ark, and in some surprising outdoor places along the way:
Sat (12-5pm), Sun (2-5pm) from 19th Feb - 27th March, mid-term break 22nd Feb - 25th Feb and St Patrick's Festival 2011 (17th Mar - 20th Mar). The trail can be completed on foot, or take the Luas between Jervis and Museum (see luas.ie for service information).

Also running at The Ark in Eustace Street is Crafted Creatures, a specially commissioned exhibition (free entry) with weekend and mid-term craft workshops (€10/€8), where all children will leave with their own crafted creature to take home (ages 2-12). Crafted Creatures is presented by The Ark in partnership with the Crafts Council of Ireland to celebrate Year of Craft 2011.

The Crafted Creatures exhibition is designed by international curator Brian Kennedy, and brings together a diverse collection of work by leading craftspeople who have taken their inspiration from the animal kingdom. The exhibition runs alongside an extensive series of workshops and events for children, families and school groups. Pieces on display will include an intriguing invasion of mixed media jellyfish and insects made from recycled materials, while farm animals and pets will make themselves at home in The Ark's theatre space. Insights into the artists' inspiration and preparatory drawings will also feature in the exhibition. Children and families can explore this captivating world of crafted soft toys, pets, insects, underwater creatures and mythical beasts using activity stations to help reveal the secrets used to bring materials like clay, wool and willow to life as wonderful pieces of art.

The Crafts Council of Ireland and Craft Northern Ireland have designated 2011 as Year of Craft which will be will be celebrated through a diverse range of dynamic events and programmes at home and abroad to showcase the very best of craft made on the island of Ireland. Full details of the Year of Craft 2011 programme are available at www.craftinireland.com. Crafted Creatures is the first major public event taking place as part of Year of Craft 2011 and is presented by The Ark in partnership with the Crafts Council of Ireland.

The Ark also gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Arts Council and the support of the Department of Education and Skills, Temple Bar Cultural Trust and Dublin City Council.

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