Participating Schools

St. Louise’s Comprehensive College, Belfast
Cullybackey College, Cullybackey
St. Benedict’s College, Randalstown
St. Conor’s College, Clady
Hazelwood Integrated College, Newtownabbey
Newry High School, Newry

One ArtistTeacher from each school is participating in the majority of the project work, while sharing learning across the department and school. The Artist Teachers are Máiréad Robb, Emma Andrews, Michelle McElhone, Gráinne Darragh, Joanne Fitzpatrick, and Sinead Young, respectively. Learn more about them here:

Máiréad Robb is the Head of Art and Design at St Louise's Comprehensive College in Belfast, where she leads a team dedicated to providing students with a strong foundation in visual and digital arts. Máiréad has 30 years experience of teaching Art and Design and is an Assistant Principal Moderator for CCEA. Beyond her teaching role, she has been actively involved in humanitarian efforts, notably hosting Palestinian students from Gaza in 2022 and launching fundraising campaigns to support them during the ongoing conflict. Máiréad is a practicing artist and former president of the AADE.

Emma Andrews graduated from Belfast School of Art (2000) with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art, specialising in painting. Following this she completed a Community Arts programme with the Community Arts Forum, certified by Queen's University, Belfast. Emma then worked within the education team at Ormeau Baths Gallery. She completed a PGCE (2008) from the University of Ulster and is currently an Art and Design teacher at Cullybackey College. Recent collaborative projects included the Grayson Perry Project for Schools in association with the British Council and Fashion Sense, a project exploring the work of Renoir in association with the Ulster Museum and the Courtauld Institute of Art, London. Emma is currently the Vice President of the AADE. In her own artistic practice, she works within the mediums of drawing, painting, printmaking, collage and textiles.

Michelle McElhone is a Fine Art graduate. She obtained a Fine Art Degree from Kent Institute of Art and Design in 1992 and a Masters Degree in 1993 from the University of Ulster. A P.G.C.E. in Art and Design followed in 1997. She has been a full-time teacher of Art and Design in St. Benedict’s College since 2001 and has continued her own practice, specialising in ceramics, in which she is self-taught. She is currently a member of Ceramics Ireland.

Gráinne Darragh graduated in 2001 from St. Mary's College Belfast with a BEd in Art and Design. She began her teaching career in St. Mary's College, Clady in 2004. Gráinne was appointed Head of Art and Design at St. Conor's College Clady/Kilrea which is the amalgamation of St. Mary's Clady and St. Paul's Kilrea. She is passionate about promoting all aspects of Art and Design as an educator while also embedding a nurturing approach and practices within her department and school as a whole. A recent initiative involved coordinating a cross-community street mural, working with local children at both primary and secondary level, focusing on well-being and positive mental health. Gráinne is a practicing artist, specialising mainly in painting, and has exhibited her work in local galleries. She is a current member of AADE.

Joanne Fitzpatrick is a visual artist, educator and advocate for the elevation of art and design in driving transformation. As Head of Art, Photography and Moving Image Arts at Hazelwood Integrated College, she is committed to inspiring the next generation of creative thinkers through innovative, student-centred approaches. A practicing painter and printmaker, Joanne’s practice is rooted in social engagement. She is passionate about exploring alternative teaching styles and using the arts as a tool for promoting positive mental health and well-being. Joanne is currently president of the Art and Design Association for Education (AADE) and Assistant Principal Moderator for A-Level Art and Design at CCEA.

Sinead Young has been Head of Art at Newry High School since 2004, where she has been instrumental in inspiring students and nurturing their artistic abilities. Sinead's commitment to education goes beyond the classroom, as an active committee member and past president of AADE and as an Assistant Principal moderator for CCEA for 17 years. Sinead has also pursued her own creative journey as a practicing artist. Her work has been exhibited in various galleries both locally and nationally. Her artistic practice informs her teaching, allowing her to bring real-world experience and a deep understanding of the creative process into the classroom. This dual role as educator and artist enriches her ability to connect with students and inspire their own artistic endeavours.