Fossil Art Exhibit 2022
University College Cork’s education programme Ireland’s Fossil Heritage ran a new children’s art exhibition in the Glucksman Gallery from June 9th - 19th 2022. The exhibition celebrated the artwork of Irish schoolchildren – and fossils - in two exciting new collections, FOSSIL FREAKS and IRISH FOSSILS ALIVE.
FOSSIL FREAKS featured art pieces created by students from St. Mary’s on the Hill National School in Knocknaheeny and Cork Educate Together National School in Cork city. The artworks are inspired by strange and unusual fossils from around the world and were created during a series of school workshops integrating the science of palaeontology and art.
The workshops were developed by Cork-based artists Susie Walsh and Leah Murphy (who co-deliver the Tools of the Trade schools art programme) in collaboration with palaeontologists from Ireland’s Fossil Heritage at the School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences UCC.
IRISH FOSSILS ALIVE featured the winning art pieces from the 2022 National Fossil Art Contest across four age categories: under 8 years, 9 – 12 years, 13 – 15 years and 16 – 18 years. The winning entries are inspired by Irish fossils and were submitted by school students from all over Ireland. The lucky winners received amazing prizes that include a visit to UCC’s palaeontology labs, visits to their schools by UCC palaeontologists, T-shirts and more.
