Athlone Art and Heritage invites applications from professional artists interested in taking a studio at Abbey Roads Artists’ Studios in Athlone Co Westmeath. The space is suitable for artists, designers, photographers as a creative work space. We have a large multi-purpose space upstairs suitable for a variety of community and cultural events including exhibitions, performances, workshops and seminars. Resident artists can schedule the space upstairs for classes, demonstrations, seminars etc – in consultation with Athlone Art and Heritage.

The studios have 24 hour access, free wi-fi, free car parking and free utilities as well as a dynamic environment to work in.

For further information or to arrange a viewing of the studio please contact Catherine Yorke: 090 6442130 / info@athloneartandheritage.ie

Interested applicants are invited to download application form from: http://www.athloneartandheritage.ie/artists-studios/application-procedure-for-individual-studios

Image: Courtesy of Lesley Wingfield 2011

Abbey Road Studios

Abbey Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath

Tues. 31 January

Open: 10am – 2pm

Public Are Invited to Come and See Artists at Work in Abbey Road Studios

Athlone Art and Heritage invites the public to an Open Day in the Abbey Road Artists Studios on Tuesday 31st of January from 10am to 2pm. The Studios offer a dedicated space in Athlone town for local and visiting artists. The Artists’ Studios consist of four individual artists’ studios as well as a large multi-purpose upstairs space suitable for a variety of community cultural events including exhibitions, performances, workshops and seminars.

Come and see the artist’s work, explore the space Upstairs@studio5 and have a glimpse into the creative processes that create the artworks often shown in galleries. Many exhibitions show the end result of artistic practice, so come and see for yourself visual arts practice taking shape on the ground. Some resident artists will be on hand to describe their work to you. Also the first public screening of artist Lesley Wingfield and dancer Amelia Reiser underwater dance film will be shown Upstairs@studio5 throughout the day.

On Tuesday the 31st Athlone Art and Heritage are set to officially launch their website. The website was created by Athlone eCom, the company responsible for the very popular athlone.ie site. It has a fresh look and has been built with an easy-to-use functionality making it an attractive resource for people to access regular updates and news. The updates section shows the diverse range of activities and events that are taking place while also integrating its social networking dimension.

Catherine Yorke a recent AIT graduate who is on a 6 month internship manages the website for Athlone Art and Heritage. She says “This is an exciting development and one which I can really sink my teeth into. I am particularly interested in identifying ways in which we can harness the power of social media to promote the many sites and facilities of Athlone Art and Heritage. All of the projects under Athlone Art and Heritage are hugely visual from the obvious aesthetic of the gallery to the proud stance of the castle on the river bank. They lend themselves easily to visual interpretation.”

For further information see:

http://www.athloneartandheritage.ie/

Image courtesy of Block T 2011

VISIT Open Studios / Sat. 22nd October 2011
VISIT 2011: City Wide Visual Artists studios open day. Eighteen studio organisations and over two hundred and fifty artists open their doors to the public.

Saturday 22nd October, 12 – 6pm
Artists Studios city wide.

See www.visitstudios.com for full listing

VISIT 2011 is an open invitation to the public to come see how artists work, to explore artistic methodologies and to have a glimpse into the creative processes that culminate in the artworks often shown in galleries, museums, art centers, artist led spaces and various venues. Many exhibitions show the end result of artistic practices,VISIT 2011 invites you to see how visual arts practice takes shape on the ground. Following the national and international focus of Dublin Contemporary, VISIT 2011 provides the opportunity to refocus on the wealth of artistic practices thriving in Dublin city, VISIT is delighted to partner with Dublin Dublin Contemporary and to receive the on-going support of Dublin City Council to present this year’s open studio day.

This year sees VISIT’s third event which comprises of eighteen visual arts studios in Dublin city and will provide access to over two hundred and fifty visual artists. Dublin’s creative city is mapped out through the great variety of studio work-spaces in this specially produced VISIT 2011 publication and on the accompanying website. VISIT operates as an archive in two ways, it provides an extensive inventory of all the participating artists and it also displays architectural spaces used by visual artists as studios, ranging from industrial warehouses, Georgian buildings, converted stables and many other inspirational uses of space. With this large scale open studios event, visitors can see the wide diversity of art forms at work within these spaces from painting, sculpture, video, photography, performance, new media and installation.

This private and often hidden world of the Artist’s Studio life is opened up to the public for one day, VISIT is a chance to connect with the many unseen layers of cultural activity that go on in our city. Contained in this brochure and on our website you can find a map of the city-wide visual art studios, with information and contact details for this free public event and suggestions on how you can plan your day of studio visits.

Discover VISIT for yourself – take a bus, hop on a bike, jump on the Luas or stretch your legs with a walk. On Saturday 22nd October we’ll be waiting for you, from 12 – 6pm.

Well worth the effort, enjoy your VISIT!

www.visitstudios.com / www.dublincontemporary.com
Follow VISIT on Facebook: Visit Studios

Laois County Council – Comhairle Chontae Laoise
Professional Artist Studio Scheme now available at the Arthouse Stradbally, Co Laois
A Professional Artist Studio Scheme’ is available at the Arthouse, Stradbally Co Laois. Developed by Laois County Council the scheme is intended to support a professional artist to develop their professional practice.
The Scheme includes: A studio with separate accommodation at a rent of €200 per month for a one-year period, which may be extended at the discretion of Laois County Council. Light and heat are extra. Administrative and curatorial support through Laois County Council Arts Office. Inclusion in exhibition programme with Laois County Council. Services offered within the complex include an exhibition space, music rehearsal space, kiln, garden space a digital room and library facilities. Digital equipment includes: Mac Pro , Samsung EX 1920W Monitor, 40”LCD TV

Criteria
Applicants must be open to engage with the local community in order to raise awareness and appreciation of the visual arts.
The successful applicant must sign a tenancy agreement with Laois County Council.
Should the applicant require the use of the kiln, they must have appropriate training in kiln use and firing.
Should the applicant require the use of the digital suite they must have appropriate training in the use of the digital equipment.
Applicants are asked to submit the following. Completed Application form should include a detailed proposal outlining the proposed usage of the studio and a work plan outlining ideas for the 12 month period. Describe how the opportunity will impact and affect your artistic practice and impact on the community. (max 600 words). A current Curriculum Vitae that includes a short description of your education, current practice including solo and group exhibitions, any publications, research projects, residencies, awards or bursaries. Documentation of work. (applicant’s submitting digital info should do so on disc using open standard formats).: Please ensure that your name is clearly marked on all visuals submitted. We will accept a maximum of ten images/photographs. Sound or video work on CD or DVD should be for a max. duration of 3 minutes only. Stamped addressed envelope – (for return of supporting documentation if required)
Applicants may be shortlisted and invited to attend an interview within a week of the closing date. Before the final decision is made, copies of relevant educational qualifications will be required.
To apply:

Application forms and further information about the scheme are available from The Arts Office, Laois County Council, Telephone 057 8674342/44, website www.laois.ie or email artsoff@laoiscoco.ie
Applications should be submitted not later than 12 noon on the 22nd July to the Arts Officer, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Co Laois.
(No email applications accepted)

The closing date for the Professional Artist Studio Scheme’ at the Arthouse Stradbally has been extended until Friday 12th August. The scheme includes: A studio with separate accommodation at a rent of €200 per month.  .: Please ensure that your name is clearly marked on all visuals submitted. We will accept a maximum of ten images/photographs. Sound or video work on CD or DVD should be for a max. duration of 3 minutes only. Stamped addressed envelope – (for return of supporting documentation if required)
Applications should be submitted not later than 12 noon on Friday 12th August -to the Arts Officer, Laois County Council, Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise, Co Laois
(No email applications accepted)

Press Release

The Arthouse,  Stradbally,  Co Laois .

May 13th , 2011

The official opening of The Arthouse Studios and Library, Stradbally County Laois will take place on 13th May 2011.  The opening will be performed by Minister Jimmy Deenihan, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.   Following an open competition, three artists and one craft worker were selected.  They have been settling into the Arthouse over the last month and already it has proven a busy time. In this time the Arthouse has hosted an open house weekend for the general public, attracting hundreds of guests, a visit from Imeall, Tg4’s arts programme, the Spring Conference of the Arts Officers Association and a meeting between French artists and Laois artists to explore the possibility of exchanges in the near future.  It has also started an arts education programme for the public headed by NCAD Graduate Artist Vera Mc Evoy.

The three artists at the Arthouse are Laois based artist, Karen Hendy, Kerry based artist, Laura Fitzgerald and Kildare based artist Vera Mc Evoy. The resident Craft Worker is Laois based Goldsmith Helena Malone. The Arts Administrator is Laura Byrne and the General Manager is Laois Arts Officer, Muireann Ní Chonaill. The complex is available for use by local community groups.  The development, costing in excess of €1.2million, commenced early in 2010 has been assisted with funding from the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport Access 11 scheme.  Construction work was completed in December 2010. The architects on the job were Milligan, Reside and Larkin and the contractor was L&M Keating.

Facilities at the Library and Arthouse include a community library, artists’ studios and living accommodation, an exhibition gallery, an equipped music rehearsal space, a kiln, and a garden space with a commissioned Percent for Art wall mounted artwork and a meeting  room for the Laois Heritage Society. Under the percent for art scheme a stainless steel relief wall piece was created by Wicklow based artist James Hayes and it graces the garden wall of the studios.   A limestone sculpture by Henk Korthuys was purchased for the front of the building, also funded by the Percent for Art scheme.  This sculpture was made in Mc Keon’s Stone, Limestone Yard in Stradbally by Henk when he participated on their international artist visiting programme last Summer.

Laura Fitzgerald commented, “I am delighted to become part of Arthouse Stradbally, a pioneering development in arts and culture in Co. Laois. The opportunity to spend time developing projects in the Arthouse, is an opportunity I believe will create new ideas, stimulus and experience in my art practice. I am excited to embark on the next chapter of this process in such a creative and innovative environment.”

Karen Hendy commented ”I am honoured to be selected as one of the first  recipients  of the Professional  Artist Studio scheme  at the   Arthouse , Stradbally, Co. Laois. This is an important development in the Arts in Laois. I feel privileged to be chosen to be part of this new and innovative project. I look forward to developing my art practice and engaging with the wider community in one of these specially appointed studios.

Vera Mc Evoy is the recipient of the Laois County Council/NCAD Bursary Award, (funded through the percent for art scheme and worth €10,000). She said she was thrilled to be chosen as the NCAD recipient and that it would enable her to explore her art practice which is multidisciplinary (video, print and installation) and explores a wide range of sustainable, environmental and social issues. “I use universal, everyday materials and scenarios to encourage an alternative reality, incorporating practices of recycling and remaking into the realm of human interactions and social context. My work responds to the growing consumer problems and lifestyle trends in contemporary society: in particular to our many discarded consumer products and their reproductive values. I look forward to engaging with the wider community in County Laois.”

The NCAD Bursary Award will enable Vera McEvoy to set out to explore, with a small group of women, the Irish economy and whether creativity and recycling can serve as a means of reclaiming identity, as well as regenerating skill and belief back into Irish society.  Vera Mc Evoy will also run a Summer Arts Workshop for children in the area as part of Laois County Council Summer Arts Programme.

Helena Malone is using the craft studio facility to develop new designs, concepts and prototypes for new collections.  Helena is a jewellery designer working in precious metals and precious stones using traditional methods.  Helena refers to her style of work as “simple and discreetly different, elegant and feminine with an edge”.

Muireann Ní Chonaill, Arts Officer is managing the studios. Muireann says, “It is a privilege to be associated with such an exciting venture and I look forward to the many new experiences it affords us to provide for artists and the general public, enriching their lives through the arts.”

Laura Byrne has been appointed as Administrator Laura graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in July 2010 with a BA( hons) in drawing and painting. Laura says, “Coming back to Ireland was very important to me after being away for 7 years.  I thought becoming part of the art world in Ireland was going to be difficult but the Arthouse has welcomed me with open arms, I feel it will be a place for artists and the community to engage in a new type of visual language and push the boundaries of what art studios mean in Ireland today.”

The Arthouse studios represent an important resource to add to the strong Arts Programme and strategies already present in the County, under the direction of Laois County Council. The initiative will be of real value to the ongoing Arts Programme, the community and the visual arts and design sector in Ireland.  It will also represent an important pathway for artists from outside Ireland to make a valuable contribution to widening and deepening public experiences and direct involvement in the arts. The combination of crafts workers and artists using the Arthouse Studios will be lively and exciting.  Every support and assistance will be given to artists and craftspeople through mentoring, programming and exhibition opportunities.

Visitors are welcome to visit the Arthouse.  Please contact the Arts Office to make an appointment.
For further information, please contact Muireann Ní Chonaill, at The Arts Office, Laois County Council, 057 8674344/42 & 087-2257512, or email artsoff@laoiscoco.ie.

National College of Art and Design, Dublin, Sat. 12th March, 12.00 – 16.00

‘What do you stand for’ is a public event that will identify and articulate
the wide variety of emergent spaces, collectives, affiliations and
initiatives that are sustaining a vibrant and dynamic arts scene across
Ireland today.

Through a series of short presentations and public conversation the
questions of what alternative spaces are; what currency they have
ideologically; and how they manifest in the exhibitionary, curatorial,
creative and political compass will be explored.

In the last three years the need in Ireland for interdisciplinary spaces of
creativity reached a critical mass and materialized. Emergent spaces,
typified as non-profit and run by volunteers, opened across the country
espousing diverse programs in the practical, pedagogical and political
fields.  Measured against the politics of probability apparent in the
existing institutional and commercial gallery spaces these recent
initiatives offer an alternative future for the arts through a politics of
possibility.

This event is intended as an opening stage in an ongoing dialogue between
all participants.

Participants include

Vaari Claffey; PALLAS Projects/ Studios; Annette Molloney; Soma; Ormond
Studios ; BLOCK T; Provisional University; 126 artist run gallery; Trans
Colonia; The Workhouse Test; The Joinery; The Good Hatchery; Angel Luis
Gonzalez; Exchange, Dublin; Radical Love; Basic Space; Francis Halsall/ ACW;
Claire Feeley.

For more information email whatdoyoustandforseminar@gmail.com

http://artsmanagement.ie/category/visual-arts/