Northern Ireland

Christmas gift brings artistic masterpiece to Ulster University

Eliza McGourty, Hazelwood IC, Prof Raffi Folli, Provost of UU Belfast campus, Charlie Dodds, Hazelwood IC, Lisa Toland Senior Manager, Economy Belfast City Council and Kathryn Thompson, CEO NMNI at the launch of Art Unwrapped
Eliza McGourty, Hazelwood IC, Prof Raffi Folli, Provost of UU Belfast campus, Charlie Dodds, Hazelwood IC, Lisa Toland Senior Manager, Economy Belfast City Council and Kathryn Thompson, CEO NMNI at the launch of Art Unwrapped Eliza McGourty, Hazelwood IC, Prof Raffi Folli, Provost of UU Belfast campus, Charlie Dodds, Hazelwood IC, Lisa Toland Senior Manager, Economy Belfast City Council and Kathryn Thompson, CEO NMNI at the launch of Art Unwrapped

SCHOOL pupils are being given exclusive art sessions through a new educational outreach strand of an initiative that allows people to view classic works.

Art Unwrapped takes an iconic work from the Ulster Museum's collection, and gives it pride of place in the heart of Belfast and as a gift to its citizens for the Christmas period.

The collaboration involves Belfast City Council, Ulster University (UU) and National Museums Northern Ireland.

Saint Cecilia by Giovanni Francesco Romanelli is being exhibited at UU's Belfast campus.

This year's Art Unwrapped initiative encompasses a new educational outreach feature, with five north Belfast schools; Boys Model, Girls Model, Blessed Trinity, Mercy and Hazelwood.

Young people are gaining access to art sessions delivered by UU's School of Art and National Museums NI, introducing students to the painting and exploration of the themes associated with Romanelli's masterpiece.

Pupils in each school will take part in a festive competition and will be tasked with creating their own interpretive panels based on their exploration of the painting. These panels will be on display along with the Romanelli painting.

:: The painting will be accessible for public viewings until January 12. It is free to attend, with booking recommended due to anticipated high demand.