To mark Autism Awareness month, visit the Learning Resource Room at Collins Barracks for this sensory friendly drop-in workshop: Clark’s Colourful Creations. Explore light & colour through activities designed to engage your child’s senses. Learn about the different designs, patterns and shapes that Harry Clarke used in his stained glass. Play with colourful tiles on a light box and create your own simple stained-glass effect artwork with paint to take home with you. 

12th April 2025, 10.30am -12.30pm

If you would like to find out more about Harry Clarke check out the Harry Clark's Stained Glass exhibition.

No booking required. Located in the Learning Resource Room, off Clarke Square. This workshop is for families and suitable for children aged 5-10 years. 

• A relaxed sensory friendly visit to the Learning Resource Room at the National Museum of Ireland Collins Barracks. The activities at the workshop are designed to be inclusive, calming, and accessible for children with sensory processing differences.
• This room is located on the ground floor of the South Block off the central square known as Clarke Square. It is to the left of the arch into the square if you are walking up from the Luas Stop or to the right if you are leaving the Reception area.
• The drop-in takes place from 10:30am-12:30pm. The Learning Resource Room will be open to families during this time, and they can come and go as they please during the two hours. There is no set time that a family needs or can stay in the room.
• During this workshop, children with their accompanying adults, can complete the Relaxed Sensory Friendly Drop-In activity: a simple stained-glass effect artwork with paint which will take between 20-30 minutes to complete.
• You're artwork will need time to dry so we will have drying rack or string for you to hang it up outside the room or you can take it home to dry.
• When you arrive at the Learning Resource Room, you will be greeted by artist Madeline Schmidt and two Museum Educators.
• They will welcome you to the room and Madeline will show you pictures of stained glass made by Harry Clarke. You will learn about the original stained-glass process and the symbolic references Harry integrated into his designs. You can ask artist Madeline Schmidt any questions you may have about stained glass or working as an artist. You can ask the Museum Educators any questions you have about the Museum.
• Madeline will show you how to create a simple stained glass effect artwork using paint. You will use card, scissors, string, paint and sharpies to make your own artwork.
• There will also be an area with a light box and some clear magnetic shapes for you to make some patterns like those in stained glass panels.
• If you arrive the Learning Resource Room and the room is full of people doing the craft, you may be asked to have a look around the Museum and come back in 10-20 minutes when a family have completed their craft activity and have left.
• Throughout the duration of the drop-in workshop, all children must be supervised by an accompanying adult.
• The Drop-In Workshop is based on the Harry Clarke’s-Stained Glass Exhibition, which is located on the ground floor. 
• The Museum is wheelchair accessible.
• There is a toilet accessible in the Learning Resource Room
• Please bring along any PPE that you want e.g. ear defenders. the Museum galleries can get busy.
• There is also a shop onsite but currently no cafe. 
• Scroll down to the very end of this page to see a picture of what the outside of the Museum looks like.

Madeline Schmidt is an interdisciplinary artist with experience working at various creative festivals, schools, and art camps. As a longtime junk drawer enthusiast that ties seemingly disconnected subjects, she is an alchemist of pixels and sound waves. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in sustainability, which informs her approach to using recycled materials and eco-friendly practices in her art projects. Her art practice responds to the Anthropocene’s degradation by rekindling a universally hushed, child-like wonder and admiration for the world.

For more information about this workshop, please contact bookings@museum.ie or call 01 648 6453