Norma Keane is an artist and a Lixnaw native who has been based in Rockchapel for the past 15 years.
This July, Norma will conduct art classes for children at Castleisland Community Centre as well as in a number of other locations around the county and in West Limerick.
Norma studied fashion design in the Limerick School of Art and Design. When she left college she travelled and then lived in the Netherlands for a number of years before returning home with her partner Denis to start a family. They have two girls aged eight and six. They both attend her classes also.
Classes for Children
“I returned to art about 18months ago when I started painting again. I started taking commissions for murals, and painting shop windows. I was then asked if I would be interested in starting a class for children,” said Norma.
“I started my children’s classes in Mountcollins last September and things have been growing from there. We had 20 of the 30 children in the classes walking with their artwork in the local St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
“I expanded and started a Saturday Art Club in Listowel in February.
Weekly Classes in September
“Over Easter I ran mini Easter Camps which were a success, and lead to me organising summer camps in four locations in Castleisland, Abbeyfeale, Mountcollins and Listowel across the month of July.
“I’m hoping to start running weekly classes for children in Castleisland in September.
My ethos is that art is for everyone. Art Class is not about the finished project, it is about having fun and being proud of what you create. We are not worried about museum quality artwork, although I do think my students are more than able!, it’s about empowering and inspiring children. Building self confidence and using their imagination.
Wide Variety of Subjects
“We cover a wide variety of subjects. Painting drawing, sculpture, pastels, clay, watercolours, collage and mixed media and a class favourite is always the art challenge,” Norma continued.
“This is where everyone gets a chance to try out a new and tricky way of creating art e.g trying to paint with a 4ft long paintbrush or drawing a picture blindfolded. I’m always looking for new ideas to challenge and excite my students. I have some really exciting projects planned for summer camp this July.
Workshops for Primary Schools
“The fact that I cover such a wide variety of disciplines has provided opportunities to teach workshops for primary students in school.
I have worked with a number of schools over the last school year on workshops and creative camps,” she concluded.
You can contact Norma on: 087 1027 327 and her artwork and that of her classes can be seen on: https://www.instagram.com/normakeane.art/reels/
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