‘The Shape Shifting Slua’ showcased at Cruinniú na nÓg 2023

The 1st public outcome of a project that began with the Sparkcatchers! creative youth committee (CYC) at supported by the Creative Places Tuam Arts Council Programme.

The CYC created large-scale creatures for outdoor pop-up performances. Sparkcatchers! artists Jojo Hynes and Midie Corcoran collaborated with the young people to imaginatively explore outdoor spaces in Tuam, write prose and imagine what creatures could live in two contracting places of their choice The park and The railway station. Donal McConnon worked with the teenagers create a score containing their poetry. Dr. Dave Donavan collaborated with us to create large scale willow puppets. This project created a space where teenagers could express their opinions and creatively respond to concerns they have about their hometown.

The Creative Youth Committee was assembled in response to a public call-out and it has given Sparkcatchers! the opportunity to work with young people from different secondary schools. Through creative workshops in performance, music and visual art, ‘The Shape Shifting Slua’ was born and popped up to meet the people of Tuam.