Three visual arts exhibitions and a concert marked the end of this academic year for nearly 100 Third and Fourth year Mary Immaculate College (MIC) Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching) students.
The end-of-semester exhibition showcases the work of over 40 students from the Bachelor of Education programme and explores a wide range of themes through innovative art education pedagogy and creative practice.
Students used both modern and traditional techniques to express their ideas, combining images, text, and creative processes with artwork in various media and formats including prints, mixed media pieces, small sculptures and nature-inspired creations. Their work explores themes like memory, the environment, and everyday life, highlighting how art can tell stories and support learning in the classroom.
Students collaborated with lecturers in Visual Arts Education including Anne-Marie Morrin, Dr Julie Brazil and Dr Tanya de Paor, as well as the wider community, in a transdisciplinary context. They explored contemporary media, responded to the MIC Art Collection through printmaking, and engaged in nature-based learning. Their research was informed by educational theory and practice, in addition to contemporary and socially engaged art and creative pedagogies.
According to Dr Tanya de Paor: “The ITE student exhibition 2025 from the B Ed programme showcases wonderfully diverse artistic responses to educational, technological, environmental and cultural topics. Students were innovative and courageous in how they developed their visual art literacies. They explored Art and STEM, Visual Thinking Strategies and MIC’s Art Collection as a learning resource.
The work showcased in the exhibition combines traditional and contemporary artmaking processes for primary classrooms including eco-art, drawing, sculpture, 3D printing, media art and animation. The exhibition communicates the important role that art education plays in teaching and learning about Sustainable Development Goals, climate change, biodiversity issues and the interdisciplinary primary school curriculum. These students will make a significant contribution to Irish Primary Education, and we wish them every success going forward.”
Speaking at the exhibition, Dr Angela Canny, Assistant Dean of Education at MIC, praised participating students as “so creative and talented” and encouraged them “not to lose sight of this” throughout their teaching careers.
She also emphasised the importance of supporting art education, stating: “All evidence shows that fostering creativity, curiosity and exploration in children through art is just as essential as developing literacy and numeracy skills.”
The exhibition remains open to the public at MIC Limerick until Thursday 8 May.
Meanwhile, 32 Bachelor of Education students undertaking a module in Instrumental Music Leadership also demonstrated their initiative and musicianship on April 8 with a concert in the MIC Chapel.
The event was organised by the group involved, which was made up of primarily Third Year students but also featured a solo performance from Fourth Year B Ed student, Sadhbh O’Leary, who was accompanied by Peter Barley from the Limerick School of Music.
Associate Professor in Music Education, Dr Gwen Moore, commented: “Myself and fellow lecturers who co-taught on this module—Avril McLoughlin and Edmond Gubbins—were very impressed with this year’s cohort of students, who are not just creative teachers and musicians but also excelled in developing their leadership skills, which they will bring into primary schools and other musical endeavours. Music Education is a vital part of the curriculum, and the creativity and practice involved in this module aims to enhance the lives of children and teachers alike. As practising musicians ourselves, we, as faculty, were delighted to join in a performance with the students and Rachel Mahony, who is this year’s recipient of the Aisling Murphy Memorial Entrance Scholarship.”
