Things I love A children's online artbook project from Newport, Ireland to Byron Bay, Australia - St Finbarr's Primary School
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Newport N
.S. Things I
lo ve S t F i n b a r r ’s B y r o n B a
y
Children’s Global Artbook Exchange 2021
Things I love
A children’s online artbook project from Newport, Ireland to Byron Bay, Australia
W
elcome to Things I Love, a global minature book making and illustration project by
Primary School children from Holy Family National School, Newport, Co Mayo,
Ireland and St Finbarr’s Primary School, Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia in
collaboration with Visual Artist Cas McCarthy.
Things I Love was delivered by teacher Michelle Finnerty in Newport Primary School
with pupils from second class and teacher Mary McEvilly-Butler in St Finbarr’s Byron Bay
with year 5 and 6. Over 3 weeks, paper was folded, cut, pages inserted, stacks of pages
bound, covers attached and magically a book was made. The children began talking, thinking,
discussing and reflecting on people, places, pastimes, pets and animals they love. Delightful
drawings and images bubbled up in imaginations and using pencils, biros, colours,they
were committed to the book pages. Soon there were heaps of miniature books from Byron
Bay and Newport ready to be digitised and uploaded by artist Cathal Mc Carthy.
Things I love was inspired by a collaborative public art project by American artists
Miranda July and Harrell Fletcher called Learning to Love you More. A web-based art
project which ran over 7 years. In designing Things I love, artist Cas McCarthy came up
with the idea of a handmade book that would provide a receptive space for children to recall
and register meaning filled aspects of their life using a handful of humble art materials. The
project landed on fertile ground.
The 53 matchbook sized books are beautiful objects, their graceful pages bearing the
marks, images, colours and swirls of a child’s engagement. Children’s humour, agency and
purchase on life, illuminate the pages. Connections were made between two classrooms at
opposite ends of the world with participating children from two different continents working
on this art project. The artwork provides insight into the important things in children’s lives
from two culturally diverse countries during the time of COVID 19.
Well done to the 53 talented children who created the books and their exceptional
teachers Mary McEvilly-Butler and Michelle Finnerty. A super project was created by artist
Cas McCarthy that gave children a platform to tell us about their passions through the
medium of art. Thanks to Austin Vaughan Mayo Co Library Services for his support.
Funding from Creative Ireland Mayo for this project is gratefully acknowledged.
Newport N
.S. Things I
lo ve S t F i n b a r r ’s B y r o n B a
y
Children’s Global Artbook Exchange 2021
Grace Bonnie Alan Mia
Grace Joseph Saoirse Sam
Anabelle Sarah Kayden Alysson
Rachelle Clodagh Cate Katie
Moya Willow Faye Joe
Robin Sonny Callum Gergely
Children’s Art Books - Newport National School, Ireland
Newport N
.S. Things I
lo ve S t F i n b a r r ’s B y r o n B a
y
Children’s Global Artbook Exchange 2021
Indigo Lola Matilda Adam
Eden Sasha Toby Nixon
Daisy Wilf Zoe Teddy
Angus Roberio
Rory Olivia
Carina Jasper Jasper Issy
Eamon Daisy Rihanna Angus
Raine Evie Ada River
Maxine
Children’s Art Books - St Finbarr’s, Byron Bay, Australia
Newport N
.S. Things I
lo ve S t F i n b a r r ’s B y r o n B a
y
Children’s Global Artbook Exchange 2021
S
econd class in Newport National School
were delighted to be invited to take part
in this inter-continental art project. Give
the year that was in it, this project gave
us the opportunity to forget about what
was going on and lose ourselves in creativity and
focus on positive things – ‘Things we Love’.
A big thank you has to go to Artits Cas Mc
Carthy and Cruinniú na nÓg together with
Austin Vaughan and Mayo County Library
service. Without their funding we would never
have been given us this gift of connectivity with
a school halfway across the world!
The project has provided us with so many
avenues to explore across the curriculum –
through oral language and english writing we
developed our list of ‘Things we Love’.
We discovered Byron Bay through map-
reading in geography class. Our participation in
this global event has had a postive impact on our
wellbeing which is a big focus in school this year.
Of course learning a new artistic skill to create
our own mini book and being given the space to
freely explore and interpret ‘Things we Love’ was
very liberating also!
The class are so excited to see what the Byron
Bay children have created, it will be a special
event and memory that I’m sure they will carry
with them forever – ‘The Time we made a book
that travelled across the world’
Teacher Michelle Finnerty
Second Class, Newport N.S. Co Mayo.
Teacher’s Page - Newport National School, Ireland
Newport N
.S. Things I
lo ve S t F i n b a r r ’s B y r o n B a
y
Children’s Global Artbook Exchange 2021
O
Creativity is contagious. Pass it on. Albert Einstein
pportunities to be creative and connect
with others are invaluable. With great
enthusiasm our Stage 3 (Year 5 and
Year 6) students at St Finbarr’s Catholic
Primary School in Byron Bay, New
South Wales, Australia accepted the invitation to
participate in a transcontinental book making and
illustration project. Byron Bay can be compared
to a small country town like Westport but with
better weather!
The outcome of sharing hobbies and extra
curricular activities students love to engage in
developed their mutual relationships and enabled
the teacher to know more about these wonderful
students. Skills in identifying continents, countries
and locations on the world map was developed.
It allowed them to pause, reflect, and be grateful
for their beautiful surroundings and the variety
of activities they participate in. It encouraged
the class to reflect on the freedom they have to
pursue and enjoy the things they love.
Stage 3M love to be artistic and the opportunity
to demonstrate their passions. Engaging with
Ireland, its history, traditions and culture, is
always welcomed (not just on St Patrick’s Day!).
The students are excited to connect and learn
about what Irish students like to do in their spare
time.
Many thanks to Artist Cas Mc Carthy and
Austin Vaughan and Mayo County Library
service along with Cruinniú na nÓg for their
funding which enabled this project to come to
fruition.
Teacher Mary McEvilly Butler
Stage 3M, St Finbarr’s Byron Bay .
Teacher’s Page - St Finbarr’s, Byron Bay, Australia
Newport N
.S. Things I
lo ve S t F i n b a r r ’s B y r o n B a
y
Children’s Global Artbook Exchange 2021
Things I love
A children’s online artbook project from Newport, Ireland to Byron Bay, Australia
W
elcome to Things I Love, a global minature book making and illustration project by
Primary School children from Holy Family National School, Newport, Co Mayo,
Ireland and St Finbarr’s Primary School, Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia in
collaboration with Visual Artist Cas McCarthy.
Things I Love was delivered by teacher Michelle Finnerty in Newport Primary School
with pupils from second class and teacher Mary McEvilly-Butler in St Finbarr’s Byron Bay
with year 5 and 6. Over 3 weeks, paper was folded, cut, pages inserted, stacks of pages
bound, covers attached and magically a book was made. The children began talking, thinking,
discussing and reflecting on people, places, pastimes, pets and animals they love. Delightful
drawings and images bubbled up in imaginations and using pencils, biros, colours,they
were committed to the book pages. Soon there were heaps of miniature books from Byron
Bay and Newport ready to be digitised and uploaded by artist Cathal Mc Carthy.
Things I love was inspired by a collaborative public art project by American artists
Miranda July and Harrell Fletcher called Learning to Love you More. A web-based art
project which ran over 7 years. In designing Things I love, artist Cas McCarthy came up
with the idea of a handmade book that would provide a receptive space for children to recall
and register meaning filled aspects of their life using a handful of humble art materials. The
project landed on fertile ground.
The 53 matchbook sized books are beautiful objects, their graceful pages bearing the
marks, images, colours and swirls of a child’s engagement. Children’s humour, agency and
purchase on life, illuminate the pages. Connections were made between two classrooms at
opposite ends of the world with participating children from two different continents working
on this art project. The artwork provides insight into the important things in children’s lives
from two culturally diverse countries during the time of COVID 19.
Well done to the 53 talented children who created the books and their exceptional
teachers Mary McEvilly-Butler and Michelle Finnerty. A super project was created by artist
Cas McCarthy that gave children a platform to tell us about their passions through the
medium of art. Thanks to Austin Vaughan Mayo Co Library Services for his support.
Funding from Creative Ireland Mayo for this project is gratefully acknowledged.
Newport N
.S. Things I
lo ve S t F i n b a r r ’s B y r o n B a
y
Children’s Global Artbook Exchange 2021
Grace Bonnie Alan Mia
Grace Joseph Saoirse Sam
Anabelle Sarah Kayden Alysson
Rachelle Clodagh Cate Katie
Moya Willow Faye Joe
Robin Sonny Callum Gergely
Children’s Art Books - Newport National School, Ireland
Newport N
.S. Things I
lo ve S t F i n b a r r ’s B y r o n B a
y
Children’s Global Artbook Exchange 2021
S
econd class in Newport National School
were delighted to be invited to take part
in this inter-continental art project. Give
the year that was in it, this project gave
us the opportunity to forget about what
was going on and lose ourselves in creativity and
focus on positive things – ‘Things we Love’.
A big thank you has to go to Artits Cas Mc
Carthy and Cruinniú na nÓg together with
Austin Vaughan and Mayo County Library
service. Without their funding we would never
have been given us this gift of connectivity with
a school halfway across the world!
The project has provided us with so many
avenues to explore across the curriculum –
through oral language and english writing we
developed our list of ‘Things we Love’.
We discovered Byron Bay through map-
reading in geography class. Our participation in
this global event has had a postive impact on our
wellbeing which is a big focus in school this year.
Of course learning a new artistic skill to create
our own mini book and being given the space to
freely explore and interpret ‘Things we Love’ was
very liberating also!
The class are so excited to see what the Byron
Bay children have created, it will be a special
event and memory that I’m sure they will carry
with them forever – ‘The Time we made a book
that travelled across the world’
Teacher Michelle Finnerty
Second Class, Newport N.S. Co Mayo.
Teacher’s Page - Newport National School, Ireland
Newport N
.S. Things I
lo ve S t F i n b a r r ’s B y r o n B a
y
Children’s Global Artbook Exchange 2021
O
Creativity is contagious. Pass it on. Albert Einstein
pportunities to be creative and connect
with others are invaluable. With great
enthusiasm our Stage 3 (Year 5 and
Year 6) students at St Finbarr’s Catholic
Primary School in Byron Bay, New
South Wales, Australia accepted the invitation to
participate in a transcontinental book making and
illustration project. Byron Bay can be compared
to a small country town like Westport but with
better weather!
The outcome of sharing hobbies and extra
curricular activities students love to engage in
developed their mutual relationships and enabled
the teacher to know more about these wonderful
students. Skills in identifying continents, countries
and locations on the world map was developed.
It allowed them to pause, reflect, and be grateful
for their beautiful surroundings and the variety
of activities they participate in. It encouraged
the class to reflect on the freedom they have to
pursue and enjoy the things they love.
Stage 3M love to be artistic and the opportunity
to demonstrate their passions. Engaging with
Ireland, its history, traditions and culture, is
always welcomed (not just on St Patrick’s Day!).
The students are excited to connect and learn
about what Irish students like to do in their spare
time.
Many thanks to Artist Cas Mc Carthy and
Austin Vaughan and Mayo County Library
service along with Cruinniú na nÓg for their
funding which enabled this project to come to
fruition.
Teacher Mary McEvilly Butler
Stage 3M, St Finbarr’s Byron Bay .
Teacher’s Page - St Finbarr’s, Byron Bay, Australia
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