17th June 2026
Roe Valley Arts Centre recently welcomed pupils, families, teachers and invited guests to celebrate the launch of a special sculpture exhibition created by students from Rossmar School, a co-educational Special School in Limavady.
Co-ordinated by Emma Thorpe, Community Arts Development Officer, the project provided pupils with the opportunity to explore their creativity through sculpture, build confidence, and develop new artistic skills through a shared creative process.
Throughout the project, the students worked with artist Fiona Shannon, who supported and guided them as they explored ideas and developed a range of sculptural works.
The exhibition showcases the achievements of the young participants, highlighting creativity, collaboration and personal expression through a variety of sculptural pieces.
Rossmar School teacher Donna Cummings said:
“The pupils of Rossmar School were absolutely delighted to take part in a series of ceramic workshops facilitated by Fiona Shannon, a professional ceramic artist. The participating pupils, all enrolled in the CCEA Occupational Studies Creative Crafts course, found that the hands‑on experience significantly enriched their portfolios. It also helped them form stronger connections between writing about the creative crafts industry and experiencing it in a real, practical context.
Working with a real-life artist was a true highlight. Fiona’s patience, enthusiasm, and encouragement each week created a positive and inspiring atmosphere that resonated deeply with the group. Pupils were introduced to a wide range of ceramic techniques and products, and Fiona’s clear, step‑by‑step guidance made the process accessible to learners of all abilities.
A key strength of the project was the creative freedom given to the pupils. Their individual artistic ideas were celebrated throughout, allowing them to explore a medium they would not typically encounter in school. Access to clay, ceramics, and glazing opened up a new world of creative expression, and the pupils engaged with remarkable enthusiasm.
Each week brought excitement as they checked the progress of their pieces, especially when selecting colours and applying glaze. The anticipation reached its peak when they viewed their finished work fresh from the kiln ,moments filled with pride, joy, and a genuine sense of achievement.
The experience was made even more special when pupils had the opportunity to exhibit their work at the Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre. Inviting friends and family to view the exhibition gave them an enormous sense of pride, and many expressed how it made them feel like real artists.
This project has provided our pupils with invaluable experience, deepened their understanding of the creative crafts industry, and sparked a lasting passion for ceramics that will stay with them long after the workshops have ended.”
Artist Fiona Shannon said: “It was an absolute pleasure to work with such a creative group of young people. Moving from never having worked with clay before to creating three unique pieces each is an incredible achievement. They should be immensely proud of their finished work, which is now on display at the local Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre!”
Causeway Coast & Glens Arts Service would like to congratulate all of the pupils involved on their fantastic achievements and thank everyone who helped make the project possible. The exhibition stands as a celebration of young people's creativity, and the value of inclusive, collaborative arts practice within the community.
