Author: laois art

The Laois Arthouse, Stradbally, Co Laois, are delighted to present Spontaneous People / Spontaneous Paintings

This two-person exhibition brings together works by artists Diana Chambers and Seamus Morton.

The exhibition is curated by Dominic Thorpe.

The exhibition opens on Saturday 1st April and runs to Friday 28th April.

The word ‘spontaneous’ refers to the impulse, instinct and natural feeling that fuels the work of both Chambers and Morton. The works presented in Spontaneous People / Spontaneous Paintings also demonstrate the deep curiosity and expression of two artists dedicated to art practice.

Diana Chambers works from the KCAT studio in Callan Kilkenny. She is a prolific painter who addresses a range of subject matter from portraiture to landscape to everyday scenarios and objects. She has shown in several exhibitions including at the West Cork Arts Centre, Riverbank Arts Centre, Galleria Art Kaarisilta Helsinki, and Farmleigh House Dublin.

Seamus Morton works from his studio at Erkina House Rathdowney Co. Laois. He has developed a substantial body of work, including portraiture, landscape, and still life. He has exhibited his work in several exhibitions, including a sell-out solo show at Áras an Chontae, Laois County Council, Portlaoise, Dunamaise Arts Centre, and currently has work on display in the Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise.

Dr. Dominic Thorpe is an Irish visual artist and curator. He has shown extensively, including at the Bangkok Cultural Centre, Performance Space London, Galway Arts Centre, the Golden Thread Gallery Belfast, and SASA Gallery Adelaide. Thorpe frequently engages with inclusion and education based initiatives and has work in several public collections in Ireland, including the collection of the Arts Council of Ireland.

The exhibition will be opened by Pádraig Naughton. Pádraig Naughton became Executive Director of Arts & Disability Ireland in 2005.  Working strategically in partnership with the arts sector ADI champions the creativity of artists with disabilities and promotes inclusive experiences for audiences with disabilities.  In 2022 Pádraig graduated with an LLM in International & Comparative Disability Law & Policy from the University of Galway, also that same year The Kennedy Center, Washington D.C., recognized his lifetime achievement with an Excellence in Accessibility Leadership Award.

An exhibition tour by Diana Chambers, Seamus Morton and Curator Dominic Thorpe, takes place on Thursday 20^th April at 12.30pm in the Gallery, Laois Arthouse, Stradbally. Light refreshments will be served. Booking for this event is advisable at the artsoff@laoiscoco.ie  /  057-8689386

 

Exhibition Opening Times:

Exhibition runs from Tuesday 4th April to Friday 28th April.

Open daily, Tuesday-Friday 1:00pm-4:00pm (through the Laois Arthouse) or by special arrangement

 

For more details:

057 8689386 / artsoff@laoiscoco.ie

 

 

 

 

Wonderful exhibition of artworks titled ‘We Are Artists’ were presented by Junior and Senior infant students in St Colman’s NS took place on Wednesday 8^th February to Friday 10^th February at Laois Arthouse, Stradbally. Through the Arts-in-Education BLAST Residency Programme, the pupils got the opportunity to work with local professional artist Orla McDonagh. The pupils created beautiful creations inspired by their woodland walk at Cosby Estate.

 

Pictured are Catherine Guidera, Laois County Council Arts Office, Ann Marie Kirrane, Community Department, Laois County Council, Diane Seale, Laois County Council Arts Office, Teachers Annmarie Kelly, Sarah Meally, Artist , Orla McDonagh, Principle St. Colman’s N.S Brian Lynch, Catherine Doolin, Laois Education Centre Director, Jenny Buggie, L.E.C, Art & Creativity, Laois County Council Cathaoirleach Thomasina O’Connell, Cllr. Paschal McEvoy .

 

The official opening of the exhibition took place on Thursday 9^th February with Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council Cllr. Thomasina Connell opening the exhibition.

 

Ms Anne Marie Kirrane, A/Administrative Officer, Community Department, Laois County Council and MC for the evening welcomed everyone and said “Laois County Council is delighted to exhibit here at the Arthouse in Stradbally, the wonderful Art work created by the Junior and Senior Infants from St Colman’s National School, who took part in the BLAST Arts in Education Residency Programme. This programme gave the students an amazing opportunity to work alongside a professional Artist- Ms Orla McDonagh”.

 

 

Cathaoirleach, Thomasina Connell said “The arts education project “We Are Artists” undertaken by the staff and pupils of St. Colman’s National School is a great example of how younger children can engage in the exploration of art. Given the opportunity, these students produced beautiful drawings and paintings inspired by walking through the Cosby Estate and appreciating the nature and environment around them.

Engagement in these types of projects and the opportunity to work with a real artist, Orla McDonagh, builds confidence and supports the development of self-esteem and creativity within each child.

I was delighted to open the Art Exhibition at Stradbally Arthouse and look forward to more events and projects like this, which embrace children’s art.”

 

Laois County Council Cathaoirleach, Thomasina O’Connell who officially launched the “We Are Artists” Exhibiton at the Art House Stradbally 

 

Ms Orla McDonagh is contemporary figurative artist, her work is multidisciplinary, she often moves between: drawing, paint, ceramics, textiles and up cycled materials. Orla McDonagh said “I found the children very engaged in the process, they experimented with materials and trusted the process. They worked together finding new ways to express ideas, the project was very rewarding and l would welcome a chance to work with the children again.”

St Colman’s NS were delighted to be accepted on the BLAST programme.

St Colman’s NS Principal, Mr Bryan Lynch said, “We were particularly excited about the programme being directed at the younger children in our school. We endeavour to promote the Arts in St Colman’s and to allow the creativity of the children to flourish at any given opportunity. Being accepted onto the BLAST programme gave another outlet via a professional artist for the children to explore their creative sides and to express it through a variety of mediums. Basing the project around the natural surroundings of Stradbally allowed the children to interact with their locality in a different way and to creatively reflect their local environment. We are indebted to BLAST for affording us such a rich and engaging opportunity and for celebrating the creativity of the children by hosting an art exhibition in the Art House Stradbally. Go raibh maith agat as an deis, as an tacaíocht agus as an deis cruthaitheacht na bpáistí a chur chun cinn. (Thank you for the opportunity, the support and the chance to highlight the children’s creativity.)”

 

St Colman’s NS teacher Ms Sarah Meally who applied for the programme said “We had the pleasure of seeing how, with careful facilitation and exposure to the beauty of our natural surroundings here in Stradbally, the children expressed their creativity and individualism with no inhibitions. Having the Laois Arthouse as an exhibition space was the icing on the cake for the students as they saw how valued their unique expressions were in our local community.”

 

The Arts-in-Education BLAST Residency Programme was administrated by Laois Education Centre.

Catherine Doolan, Director of Laois Education Centre said “Laois Education Support Centre administers the Arts-in-Education BLAST Residency Programme in our catchment area. This programme has enabled 25 new Arts-in-Education residencies in our local schools this year alone. This gives students the opportunity to work with a professional artist on unique projects planned and developed between the artist, the teacher and the school under the co-ordination of the Education Support Centre. This initiative supports key skills like the ability to connect and collaborate with others, engage in creative and critical thinking and practice inclusivity at every level. It includes drama, dance, music, visual art and many more creative projects. I was delighted to attend this exhibition and see the wonderful work being carried out through this residency and I congratulate all involved for such a fantastic showcase on the night.”

 

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The exhibition had a great attendance from the pupils of St.Colman’s school, friends, family and members of the public. The pupils thoroughly enjoyed creating their artwork and seeing their creations displayed at Laois Arthouse, Stradbally. For further information about the exhibition and Laois Arthouse, please visit http://www.arthouse.ie/

 

Photos: Denis Byrne

Laois County Council Arts Service hosted an in-person Information Session on upcoming arts grants and opportunities on Thursday 19th January 2023 at Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise.

 

An online Information Session will take place on Thursday 26th January 2023 at 7:00pm via Microsoft Teams.

To book a place: Please email artsoff@laoiscoco.ie

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Laois Arts Grants & Opportunities

1: Arts Act Grants 2023

Provision has been made by Laois County Council for the payment of grants to Laois arts organisations and individuals who meet the artistic and financial criteria set down by Laois County Council and who provide adequate information on their proposed activities.  Maximum amount payable will not exceed €1000.

 

2: Tyrone Guthrie Residency Bursary Awards 2023

A bursary is available to enable two Laois artists to spend one week working at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre in County Monaghan. The bursary is open to artists in all fields and is selected based on previous achievements and projects in hand.

 

3: Artists in Schools Scheme 2023

Grants are available for artists’ residencies in schools, to include all art forms. This scheme gives primary and post primary schools the opportunity to select and work with professional artists and explore new arts media.

 

4: Culture Night 2023

Expressions of interest are invited from arts and culture groups and individuals interested in organising events to be included in the funding application process for culture night taking place on Friday 22nd September 2023.

 

5: Art Studios and Residential Studios at Laois Arthouse, Stradbally

Expressions of interest are invited for Laois Arthouse Studios and Residential Studios in Stradbally. Studios at €250 and residential studios at €250 per month, including utilities and waste disposal.  Facilities include an exhibition space, kiln, garden, public library and WIFI.

 

 

Closing date for receipt of these completed applications is Friday 17th February 2023

 

Please click here for further details and application forms.

 

 

 

Laois County Council Arts Service will host two information sessions on upcoming arts grants and opportunities.

• In-person: Thursday 19th January 2023 at 7:00pm at Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise
• Online: Thursday 26th January 2023 at 7:00pm via Microsoft Teams

To book a place: Please email artsoff@laoiscoco.ie

 

 

Laois Arts Grants & Opportunities

1: Arts Act Grants 2023

Provision has been made by Laois County Council for the payment of grants to Laois arts organisations and individuals who meet the artistic and financial criteria set down by Laois County Council and who provide adequate information on their proposed activities.  Maximum amount payable will not exceed €1000.

 

2: Tyrone Guthrie Residency Bursary Awards 2023

A bursary is available to enable two Laois artists to spend one week working at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre in County Monaghan. The bursary is open to artists in all fields and is selected based on previous achievements and projects in hand.

 

3: Artists in Schools Scheme 2023

Grants are available for artists’ residencies in schools, to include all art forms. This scheme gives primary and post primary schools the opportunity to select and work with professional artists and explore new arts media.

 

4: Culture Night 2023

Expressions of interest are invited from arts and culture groups and individuals interested in organising events to be included in the funding application process for culture night taking place on Friday 22nd September 2023.

 

5: Art Studios and Residential Studios at Laois Arthouse, Stradbally

Expressions of interest are invited for Laois Arthouse Studios and Residential Studios in Stradbally. Studios at €250 and residential studios at €250 per month, including utilities and waste disposal.  Facilities include an exhibition space, kiln, garden, public library and WIFI.

 

 

Closing date for receipt of these completed applications is Friday 17th February 2023

 

Please click here for further details and application forms.

 

 

Laois Arthouse Stradbally annual adult summer arts programme this year features a series of workshops titled Construct/Deconstruct by renowned artist Tom McLean in the beautiful surroundings of the Malthouse, Stradbally, Co Laois. Running from Tues 21 to Fri 24 June 2022 from 10.30am to 4pm. The  4-day workshop will focus on different approaches to making multimedia paintings.

Tom McLean b.1994 is an award-winning visual artist and curator originally from Stradbally, Laois who is currently living and working in Galway City where he is a studio artist and former director of the 126 Artist Run Gallery.  After graduating from CCAM, GMIT in 2016 specializing in painting, McLean completed an additional year of study from the Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin, and has been short-listed and won multiple awards including the ESB Keating Award, The Whyte’s Award, and the Hennessy Craig Award. Contact artsoff@laoiscoco.ie for application forms and more info.

 

Closing Date coming up on 31st March

Nationwide scheme by the 31 Local Authority Arts Offices in collaboration with the Arts Council opens for applications on March 3 2022

Following on from its successful pilot in 2020-21, the Association of Local Authority Arts Officers (ALAAO) is once more collaborating with the Arts Council to present PLATFORM 31 – a national opportunity for artists to be supported to investigate how they might develop their practice or make work in a different way.

Designed to support and enable career development for 31 mid-career artists – one artist will be selected from each of the 31 local authorities around Ireland – there are two elements of support for participating artists in this pilot scheme: financial and developmental.

Participating artists will receive an €8,000 bursary to invest in themselves and their practice, combined with participation in a developmental programme.

Informed by last year’s pilot, the PLATFORM 31 developmental programme will provide coaching, advisory support and networking opportunities for participating artists, introducing them to a pool of critical thinkers to share their work and encouraging a national conversation about creating work in local contexts.

Designed to support mid-career artists, PLATFORM 31 is open to artists of any artform, medium and practice – as well as multi-disciplinary artists, living in any of the 31 Local Authority regions in Ireland.

Applications open from March 3rd to 30th 2022.

For more information see https://platform31.localartsireland.ie/ or email localartsireland@gmail.com

 

As part of the 10th anniversary celebration at the Laois Arthouse, a panel discussion entitled Till Something Moves…will take place on Saturday 12^th March, 2pm – 5pm.  This event will explore how to create the optimum conditions for sustaining creative work as visual artists and writers, and what role do Studio Spaces and Residencies play in creating space and opportunity for focus?  A number of the exhibiting 64 artists will be in attendance. Prior booking will be essential E: artsoff@laoiscoco.ie

 

 

 

more info click here Till Something Moves – Laois Arthouse

 

 As part of the 10th anniversary celebration at the Laois Arthouse, a panel discussion entitled Till Something Moves…will take place on Saturday 12^th March, 2pm – 5pm.  This event will explore how to create the optimum conditions for sustaining creative work as visual artists and writers, and what role do Studio Spaces and Residencies play in creating space and opportunity for focus?  A number of the exhibiting 64 artists will be in attendance. Prior booking will be essential artsoff@laoiscoco.ie,  more info Exhibitions

 

In Trust. In Gratitude. In Hope. 10 Years at the Laois Arthouse, is an exhibition featuring the work of over 60 artists who have been part of the Laois Arthouse programme since its establishment in 2011 by Laois County Council Arts Service.  This anniversary exhibition is a unique opportunity for the artists and Laois County Council to celebrate the achievement of 10 years of exhibition making, artist hosting and creative place making with the surrounding community of Stradbally, County Laois and beyond.

The exhibition curated by Clonaslee native Monica Flynn was formally opened by Kevin Kavanagh of Kevin Kavanagh Gallery Dublin on 4^th December, 2021 and is open to all members of the public, including groups and schools until Friday 27^th May, 2022.  The exhibition is accompanied by a publication available to purchase at Laois Arthouse or Arts Office Laois County Council.

 

 

 

Monday 7th March 11am -1pm – at the Dunamaise Arts Centre –  Ahead of Culture Night 2022 (Fri 23 September) the Arts Council will host a series of nationwide meetings to share and discuss the findings from its research report and post event analysis from 2021. The conversations will offer a forum for Culture Night organisers to discuss emerging trends from organisers, audiences and artists and work towards Culture Night 2022 being the best it can be.  Sinéad O’Reilly, Head of Local, Place and Public Art, Arts Council and Maria Moynihan Lee, Director of Milestone Inventive and national coordinator of Culture Night will host the meetings. Meetings will take place in Sligo, Portlaoise, Limerick, Dublin, Cork and Galway in March and April. Please click here for Booking and more info (capacity approx. 70 per venue)

 

Laois Arts Office are proud to present this roundtable discussion to coincide with the Laois Arthouse 10th Anniversary exhibition, with over 60 artists, celebrating 10 years of artist hosting, residencies and exhibition making.  Join us if you can…

Till Something Moves…

Sat 12 March (14:00 – 17:00)

at the Laois Arthouse Stradbally, Co. Laois.

Led by the wonderful Cristín Leach with contributions from exhibiting artists Mary Burke, Jen Donnery, Martin Gale and poet Pat Boran.  Taking our event title from a line within Pat Boran’s specially commissioned poem, The Window Seat, the discussion will circle the theme of creative renewal with artists discussing how they nourish their creative practices and create the optimum conditions for sustaining their work as writers and visual artists. We will also examine what role Studio Spaces and Residencies play in creating space and opportunity for focus. Roundtable (14:00 – 15:00)  (15:00 – 17:00) Tea & Coffee and a chance to view the exhibition, films and the Arthouse facilities

In Trust. In Gratitude. In Hope.

(4 Dec 21 – 27 May 22)