Art lecturers deliver creative courses to six visiting students in unique GateWay project

GMIT art lecturers Rob D’eath, Julia Roddy, Declan Sheridan, Hazel Walker and Nuala Ni Flathuin recently delivered a series of free courses over two days to six people with physical and intellectual disabilities as part of the GateWay Project.

Within the classroom, the Gateway students partnered with attending GMIT students,  a socially inclusive process, which it’s hoped offered multifarious benefits to all involved.

The GateWay pilot began with a short student service induction followed by a class in collage making followed by a paint workshop. The following day allowed students an opportunity to engage with clay and further paint workshops, or an opportunity to sit in on the first year screen writing class.

Head of CCAM, Dr Paddy Tobin, says: “This is a wonderful initiative by GMIT lecturers, developed through their own passionate engagement and advocacy for students with special needs, and has been an inspiring experience for GMIT students also. The GateWay project demonstrates GMIT’s ambition to offer inclusive projects and opportunities within the college. Based on the success of this pilot project we are exploring the development of a GMIT accredited short course in the Creative area, specifically designed to provide inclusive educational opportunities for people with disabilities.”

For further information, contact rob.death@gmit.ie

(Photos by Fintan Geraghty)