Stopress, CCoI September/October 2008

IrIsh speakers announced p.10 for sofa 2008

p. 4 IrIsh craft at orIgIn, London

23 News and Reviews P.2 P.3

Craft at Kilkenny Arts Festival New Book ‘Peter J. Brennan’ Regional Outlets - Update

Craft at Kilkenny Arts Festival

P.4

Irish Craftpeople at Origin Skillnet sends Donegal Businesses to 100%Design

P.5

Joseph Walsh’s new Exhibition Denis Brown at the International Calligraphers’ Conference

Image of Longing at the National Craft

P.6

Craftmaker in Context - Rory Conner

P.8

RDS National Crafts Competition Winners Announced.

P.9

Craft Month NI - A Success!

Gallery was one of many exhibitions showcasing contemporary Irish craft during

P.10 Glenn Lucas - Research Missions Report

Kilkenny Arts Festival. The exhibition was

P.11 SOFA - Irish Speakers Announced

curated by Martha Haveman and Karel

Ceramics Ireland International Festival

Betman of Galerie Beeld & Aambeeld in the Netherlands.

Craft Community Forum P 12 Craft Community Forum Sharon Ferguson

It features the work of 27 different craftspeople as they pay tribute to a person or organisation that inspires them. (See page 23). The Crafts Council of Ireland also organised and facilitated a craft workshop for children between the ages of 4 and 6 as part of the arts festival children's programme.

Based on the idea of creating a 'mini-me', the workshop, which took place in the NCG was thoroughly enjoyed by the participating children.

Cormac Boydell, one of those taking part in Image of Longing also had a solo show in the Rudolf Heltzel Gallery. Renowned for his brightly coloured, roughly hewn ceramics, Boydell’s new work was on a smaller scale. Richly gilted, his pieces were displayed in spot-lit glass cases. Glittering under the lights like precious jewels manage to combine a delicate elegance with daring craftsmanship.

Craft Community News

opened his studio to the public, where they could see his beautiful hand built sculptural vessels.

Scroope’s new work sees him introducing colour to his simply shaped, finely textured pieces.

P.13 New Members at CCoI Ceramics at the Hallward P.14 New Craft Portal on www.discoverireland.ie

Opportunities As part of Kilkenny Arts Week, The Kozo Studio & Gallery in Thomastown presented an exhibition of visiting ceramic artists and featured work from the USA, England, Wales and Ireland. This bright and airy space was the perfect venue to display groundbreaking ceramic art and to experience a dynamic and diverse range of ceramic practice. It included work by Kira Campbell, Jim Turner and France Lambe.

Kira Campell’s porcelain ‘monsters’ are fragile, plaintive creatures. Fantastically eerie, these small, almost comical, hybrids are skillfully crafted with an astonishing attention to detail.

P.14 CCoI at Higher Options Fair, RDS P.15 CCoI @ Ploughing Championships Autumn Mentoring Programme P.16 Exposing Craft, Emerging Makers Seminar Exhibition Design & Curatorial Skills Seminar P.17 Research Missions - Call Out for Submissions Showcase

Advertisements P.19 Adverts & Listings

Exhibitions - NCG P. 22 Image of Longing Opening

Another artist from Image of Longing also showed new work in the city. Ceramicist Peter Scroope

P.23 Image of Longing Review Continued on page 2

P.24 RDS National Craft Competition Exhibition Breaking Out

News and Reviews

2

Kilkenny Arts Festival has long established itself as a leading event for the visual arts.

Following on from this year’s rich display of contemporary craft, it’s certain to be seen as an important showcase for cutting edge craft from Ireland and overseas Continued from page 1

Jim Turner’s simple shapes are brought to life with his wonderfully textured surfaces.

Layering paper clay to construct these organic vessels the tactile, distressed surface gives some of his pieces the appearance of archaelogical finds. Frances Lambe, who can also be seen in the National Craft Gallery, works with heavily grogged terracotta, white stoneware and porcelain. Her sculptural pieces, simply displayed, resemble undulating life forms.

Willow woodlouse, ceramic rabbits and painted hares, Jerpoint’s Animal Kingdom showcased work by some of Ireland’s leading craftspeople. An upbeat and enjoyable exhibition, visitors were treated to animal-themed pieces by artists such as Heike Kahle, Alan Ardiff and Geoffrey Healy. Standout pieces include Kathleen Leadbetter’s playful glass blowfish and birds of paradise and Neil Boyle’s large scale white ceramic rhino and bear.

The Kozo Gallery was one of the many galleries based in Thomastown who took part in the Ceramics Ireland International Festival, during the weekend of September 5th to 7th. (See page 13). Earthworks, who have just celebrated their 1st year birthday, also had a rich variety of work on display (see page 11).

Castlecomer Estate Yard has established itself as a hub of contemporary craft in Kilkenny. Not surprisingly they had some wonderful work on show during the Festival. Furniture maker Duncan Russell had some beautifully elegant pieces displayed. These included an eight foot long oak cabinet, cut through with a rich walnut streak. Polly Minett of Paper Works collaborated with printmaker Debra Bowden to create a series of simple yet striking Japanese woodblock prints on handmade paper. Both artists base their practice on traditional Japanese art forms and their combined skills led to a wonderful contemporary take on these ancient art forms. While finally, textile artist Maeve Coulter lined the walls of her studio with a series of charming prints and some striking fabric and stitch town and landscapes.

Over in Grennan Mill, Nicola Henley’s large artworks, inspired by birds in motion, have taken on a bolder, darker feel. Printing and painting on the surface of dyed calico, Henley then adds texture by adding gold pigment, Japanese paper and silk stitching to the surface. One of her outstanding pieces was ‘Gull Passage I, II and III’ a huge triptych capturing the wild energy of the West Clare coast. In a second gallery space Henley was also showing smaller, framed pieces. Many of these subtle works on paper, also inspired by the movement of birds, were made during a recent residency in Cill Rialaig in Co Kerry.

Also in Thomastown, Elaine Riordan’s first solo show, Bridge, took place in the Berkeley Gallery. Working with imprinted porcelain paper clay, Riordan creates detailed city scapes. This new work was inspired by the skyscrapers of New York and Brooklyn Bridge. Riordan made clever use of the gallery space, conveying the urban scene with plinths vaulting over one another, while others loomed with mini cities perched on top.

Kilkenny Arts Festival has long estabished itself as a leading event for the visual arts.

Following on from this year’s rich display of contemporary craft, it’s certain to be seen as an important showcase for cutting edge craft from both Ireland and overseas.

This year also marks the first year of CCoI's involvement as a sponsor of the festival and is looking forward to the development of a closer partnership with the festival for 2009.

Large Image: Francis Lambe Top: Elaine Riordan Bottom: Duncun Russell

3

News and Reviews

New Exhibition of Life & Work of Peter J. Brennan opens at Rothe House An exciting new exhibition showcasing the life and work of artist potter Peter Brennan during his time in Kilkenny, from 1941 to 1962, was opened by Audrey Whitty, Curator of Ceramics at the National Museum of Ireland, in Rothe House, Kilkenny on Friday 5th September 2008.

Peter J. Brennan by Helena Brennan - Book Cover

The exhibition was launched as part of the Ceramics Ireland’s bi-annual International gathering in Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, and will continue for a period of six months.

Encouraged by local historian Michael O’Dwyer, the Kilkenny Archaeological Society at Rothe House invited Helena Brennan, to set up an exhibition to record Peter Brennan’s time (more than twenty years) in Kilkenny.

During that austere period Peter encouraged people by establishing art and pottery classes, art exhibitions and societies. He also set up The Ring Ceramics Studios Ltd. in 1945 with both the financial and gallery help of Dublin art dealer Victor Waddington.

The exhibition also features a mock-up of the old studio showing many of the methods used, with tools and moulds, illustrating the wide range of production methods undertaken

by Peter in Kilkenny, in producing his colourful range of hard fired earthenware.

The exhibition is accompanied by a beautifully illustrated book, compiled by Helena Brennan (Peter Brennan’s widow), as a companion to the exhibition and it tells the story of those early days of studio pottery in Ireland.

Priced at €10, the book is av ailable to buy from gallery bookshops, Easons at w w w.amazon.com and at Rothe House.

Peter J. Brennan by Helena Brennan - Inside Spread

For further information, contact Roisin McQuillan, 056 7722893, or email roisin@rothehouse.com.

Craft Regional Outlets - Blazing a Trail Less than two months after its launch by Brian Cowen, Core - Offaly Westmeath Crafted Design in Ballinahown, Co. Westmeath is getting a great reaction from visitors and media alike. With the coffee shop now open the outlet has a real buzz about it and Ballinahown village, which also boasts the new Celtic Roots Studio is making a name as the craft destination in the region.

The next regional outlet to be developed under the Crafts Council of Ireland (CCoI) programme is based in Listowel, Co. Kerry and plans are coming along for a launch of the outlet in late Autumn/ early Winter.

The two existing regional outlets, Leitrim Design House and Louth Craftmark were fundamental in influencing and informing the development of the CCoI pogramme.

Sharing a common ethos of presenting high quality, customer-driven local craft in a professional and contemporary retail environment, all three of the existing outlets (Leitrim, Louth and Core) along with new outlets as they launch, form a national platform through which to promote quality Irish craft throughout the country.

Look out for events and activities that will be taking place in the outlets over the coming months - including fashion shows, customers events, exhibitions and much more.

Promotional Stylised Photoshoot for CORE, Photographer: Neil Hurley

4

News and Reviews

Origin The London Craft Fair Six registered craftspeople of the Crafts Council of Ireland have been selected to exhibit at the upcoming London Craft Fair, Origin 2008, taking place at Somerset House, from the 7th to the 19th of October 2008. There will be a diverse range of high quality Irish craft on show with the selection including work by Rachel McKnight, Roger Bennett, Sara Flynn, Beth Moran, Inga Reed and Hope & Benson.

For the second year running, Rachel McKnight appears at Origin. Her range of new work experiments with laser cutting resulting in new intricate designs, particularly lace. Rachel enjoys working with alternative materials and is driven by both those materials and strong graphic shapes, these give her the inspiration for her jewellery.

Sara Flynn has a love for the process of throwing, an ongoing relationship with porcelain and a fascination with the theme of the vessel. All Sara’s work is fired in a gas kiln to 1280° centigrade, offering a variety of colours and finishes ranging from complex blacks and vibrant reds to cool and subtle greens and whites.

Woodturner Roger Bennett has recently launched a new series of wall-hung pieces, disc shapes of dyed sycamore, inlaid with dots of silver wire. These pieces have evolved from his woodturned jewellery, which like his bowls, are coloured and inlaid with dots of sterling silver and 18-carat gold.

Beth Moran works in fine silks, she makes large pieces which can be used as wall hangings, curtains or throws. Beth’s work is concerned with colour and pattern, each piece being unique in its application of both.

Inga Reed has been making jewellery in Ireland for over thirty years. Inspired by structural

Large Image: Rachel McKnight Top: Inga Reed, Bottom: Roger Bennett

composition, surface detail and making skill, currently much of her work is decorated with embossed patterns. Inga was awarded the Crafts Council of Ireland Craftsmanship Award 2008 earlier this year for a large oval brooch, inspired by the seed heads of plants in embossed silver and ornamented with tiny golden dishes.

Finally, Hope and Benson combine shape, colour, texture and embellishment to create a range of handbags that are unique and yet are also commercially viable. They enjoy pushing the boundaries of design into the field of art, creating bags as sculptures that are about visual stimulation as much as practical use.

100% Design, London 10 Design Businesses to be selected for ‘Best Practice’ visit A group of ten design-based businesses from across Donegal are currently being selected to travel to the world’s leading contemporary design event, 100%Desi gn, which runs form 19th to the 21st September 2008.

micro and small businesses. In just ov er 18 months the Directorate has signed up ov er 80 local design businesses as members, deliv ered training in areas such as product design, branding and organised best-practice v isits to Paris, Milan and London.

Coinciding w ith London’s Design Week and London Fashion Week, 100% Design prov ides a show case for the latest in cutting edge design in fur niture, architecture, lighting, tex tiles and interiors. Last y ear, the international ev ent attracted ov er 35,000 v isitors and design firms from across the globe. The Donegal Design Directorate Skillnet is selecting the businesses to participate in a subsidised ‘best practice’ delegation to the show, hoping to repeat the success of last y ears v isit.

Skillnet is an initiativ e of Donegal County Enterprise Board, it w as set up to promote the v alue of good design t o local,

"100% Design is the highlight of the design calendar for any one w ith an interest in design in Europe”, say s Donna McFadden, new Programme Manager fo r the Donegal Design Directorate Skillnet. “There is no other show that has the same mix of architects, product designers and manufacturers and highly innov ativ e new comers”.

For m ore v is it w w w.s killnets .com , ww w.100percentdes ign.co.uk

5

News and Reviews

Jospeph Walsh Solo Exhibition in New York Irish designer and artist, Joseph Walsh presents his first major solo exhibition of work from October 17th to November 2nd at the Irish Historical Society in New York. Entitled ‘Realisations’, the exhibition representing the most significant collection of his work created over the last 10 years.

A new strand of Joseph Walsh’s work sees the creation of art works which explore concept, techniques employed and execution, rather than functional purpose; this is work which brings a new scale and complexity to the study of a concept. The first large scale art installation entitled ‘In Aer’ was created in 2007 and this major work will be represented at the show by a video, photographic and graphic presentation.

arts in general and presentations will be given by; Audrey Whitty, Curator with the National Museum of Ireland; Brian Kennedy, Curator with the National Craft Gallery of Ireland and Joseph Walsh.

A lecture series will also take place in conjunction with the exhibition. These lectures, will not only focus on Joseph Walsh’s work, but also on Irish contemporary applied

For further information contact Frances McDonald, t: +353 21 477 1759 or email: frances@josephwalshstudio.com

‘Realisations’ will take place at the American Irish Historical Society, 991 Fifth Avenue, New York from October 17th to November 2nd 2008.

Joseph Walsh

Denis Brown Performs at the International Calligrapher's Conference Chicago 2008 Denis Brown, winner of the Crafts Council of Ireland's Bursary Award 2006 premiered his new performance, The Music of Ink, Reclaiming the Barcode as Calligraphy at the 2008 International Calligrapher's Conference held in Chicago earlier this year.

Internationally recognized as a world leader in the field of lettering art, Brown has won numerous awards for his innovative and diverse body of calligraphic work. At the 2008 conference, entitled Letters Mingle Souls, Brown debuted his full length production of calligraphy as a performance art, producing large scale calligraphic works using various backgrounds and media. Brown's performance was accompanied by music and specially designed video projections of writing and calligraphy, producing an extraordinary multi-layered dynamic.

Brown uses huge self-made pens, brushes and unique tools and draws on classical traditions, combining them with the fields of street art, painting and performance art. His performances play upon the dynamic interactions between sound and vision, word and image, classical and avant-garde and manual and digital.

Words emerge and submerge in abstract gestures, some choreographed and others improvised, to self-composed music. Held in July of each year, the International Caligrapher's Conference attracts an international body of artists specialising in print, script and lettering.

Denis Brown

6

News and Reviews This is the first in a series of articles where the work of a craftperson, registered with the Crafts Council of Ireland will be featured along with the Guild that supports them and a retail outlet that carries their work. If you would like to be considered for selection in future issues of Stopress, please email stopress@ccoi.ie.

Craftmaker in Context

by Cornelia McCarthy

‘The desire to have a bespoke knife commissioned to individual tastes is growing. 80% of my business is commissioned work’

Rory Conner

Rory Conner - Cutler

What do a prison officer, a gourmet chef and a witch all have in common? Each is a customer of one of Ireland’s only three professional cutlers. Add to this list of customers, a Bantry vet, a freemason, a flock of outdoor pursuit enthusiasts, a pot of amateur chefs and the artist Damian Hirst…and I am just getting started.

Many knives are used for ceremonial purposes, from the dirk at Scottish ceremonies to the samuri sword. In Ireland, the ceremonial knife ranges from the bridal cake-cutting affair to the Sunday roast carving-set wedding or retirement gift. Orders for specialist knives, with materials chosen with care add meaning to these important events.

Outdoor pursuits such as hunting and fishing require extraordinarily big knifes that have the most amazing handles, blade decoration and sheaths. The bowie knife design is the domain of the serious knife collector who will add an Irish knife to his collection of Alaskan, Finnish or Arab designs.

‘The desire to have a bespoke knife commissioned to individual tastes is growing. 80% of my business is commissioned work,’ notes Rory Conner, one of only three professional cutlers working in Ireland today.

Rory Conner at his studio in Bantry, West Cork

extensive - cutting metal, forging, shaping and hardening so that it lasts a lifetime.

The handle shape and material has to be decided and discussed - it is normally exotic wood but could be stone, resin or gem-encrusted. Whatever it is, this must be treated so that it won’t crack and will be stable when attached to the blade.

The appropriate rivets are chosen and designed into the blade and the final polishing completes the knife.

Packaging and knives have always gone hand in glove - normally a sheath for a personal knife and a box for a presentation of a set. Rory’s workshop is full of tools and machines to do all these tasks. There are sanding belts of varying grits piled high, dozens of boxes and trays of tiny rivets, rolls of leather skins and metal sheets and rods everywhere - shiny, dull, thick, thin, plain, powdered and rippled.

‘I can really exercise my imagination and have great scope and fun with materials when making for this niche market.

One recent client wanted a tiny relic embedded into the handle of a commissioned bowie knife. The object was a piece of World Trade Centre glass, a gift for a US marine friend about to go to Afghanistan'. (All commissioned knives have a serial number and customer details are recorded).

Although Rory does most of the work himself, he contracts others for their specialist crafts. He has a Cork-based leather shoe-maker who makes beautiful leather sheaths for special orders and to Rory’s design. There is a cigar box maker in Northern Ireland who makes walnut and rosewood boxes that house steak knives fit for a King. Various jewellers have worked with him over the years on special commissions where engraving, stone setting and silversmithing are incorporated in his knife design.

Whatever his customers are looking for, Rory has a large amount of disciplines to draw from when constructing a piece.

The process starts with design and the client brief. Next comes the obvious metalwork. Rory’s understanding of metallurgical matters needs to be

Finding people to collaborate with is no problem as he has a very good network, mainly provided by his participation in the West Cork Craft and Design Guild and years of exhibiting at craft fairs. The Guild meets regularly and Rory comments that ‘it’s great to meet like-minded people

7 with similar creative businesses. The social aspect is very important for me as I am working on my own all day. I also collaborate with other makers on various jobs. Working towards exhibitions is good for me.’

Learning to make a knife can take as little as five minutes, but can take up to 20 years honing the technique and developing the skill.

Rory’s initial interest and aptitude for metalwork was followed by some time in California where he worked with a knife-maker. The world of speciality knives was opened up to him, however he decided not to pursue this niche market solely as he has always been interested in creating beautiful knives that can be part of everyday lives.

A number of small batch ranges are featured in Rory's work. The most popular of these is his cheese knife, a batch of specially designed

News and Reviews blades, forged in Spain, with the handles, assembly and finishing taking place in the West Cork workshop. Selling through a number of specialist gourmet shops, on-line and from his workshop, this is ideal for the gift buyer and comes in a sturdy wooden box with Rory Conner’s name on the lasercut lid.

Clearly enjoying the process of product development, Rory is now developing a cheeseboard with a local woodworker to sell with his knife and a locally made ceramic butter dish to accompany the new butter knife he has developed.

With such a wide range of products and customers, Rory’s work requires a range of listening, probing and learning skills, which have allowed him maintain a cutting edge and has resulted in his position today as one of Ireland’s leading cutlers.

Rory Conner’s Studio, Bantry, Co. Cork

Rory Conner, Handcrafted Knives, Ballylickey, Bantry, West Cork. w: www.roryconnerknives.com t: 027 50032

Supporting and Representing the Craftmaker O’Kanes Craft Shop Christine Nichols opened O’Kanes Craft Shop in 1980 in the picturesque fishing village of Bantry. Since then the shop has been dedicated to showcasing the work of Irish craftspeople.

Local cutler Rory Conner has two cases of his work displayed prominently in the shop. With the exception of a selection of Birkenstock shoes, everything in Christine’s shop is handmade, authentic and Irish. She has delivered Irish choice to her customers for a generation and despite all the choices in the market, she still can.

O’Kanes Craft Shop, Glengarriff Road, Bantry, Co Cork. t: 027 50003

Christine Nichols

The West Cork Craft & Design Guild Rory Conner is one of 20 makers that are part of the West Cork Craft and Design Guild. This association, now over 10 years in existence, represents artists and craftspeople working in the West Cork area through a website and an annually produced booklet, the perfect size for your glove compartment when touring in West Cork.

funding from Cork County Council and with financial support from the three Cork County Enterprise Boards

Their patron is Jeremy Irons who lives locally. With a successful exhibition programme behind the group, they are now looking to build and run a state-of-the-art, eco-building in the Skibbereen area. Here they plan to exhibit both work by their own members and the work of other associations and groups. They also hope to develop a diverse programme of courses and workshops in a variety of craft disciplines.

In a further development, craft producers in Co. Cork who formed The Cork Art and Design Group two years ago are about to commission a feasability study, looking at the entire craft sector with a view to employing a Craft Officer for the area. This is being carried out with facilitation and

To submit for selection to be part of the WCC&DG check out their website, www.westcorkcraft.org or contact Alison Ospina t: 028 21890 e: alison@greenwoodchairs.com Cornelia McCarthy is a consultant and Project Manager working with creative businesses.

8

News and Reviews Winners of the RDS National Crafts Competition Announced

David McGrail ‘Intangible’

The recent RDS-National Crafts Competition in association with The Crafts Council of Ireland (CCoI) was a huge success attracting over 500 applications from craftpeople across Ireland. CCoI has a long history of association with the RDS, in 1971, it was established under the auspices of the RDS. The renewed partnership between CCoI and RDS offers positive mutual benefits, synergies and possibilities that will benefit future generations of craftspeople. (Winners names marked with an asterix denote purchases for the Crafts Council of Ireland Craft Collection).

National Crafts Com petition 2008 Winners : David McGrail 1st Prize Category 21.1 Calligraphy & Lettering - Paper.

RDS Award of Excellence (Winner) - €7,000 and California Gold Medal. The Library Prize - €250 Joe Hogan 1st Prize Category 10. Rod, Rush, Straw & Similar Materials. RDS Award of Excellence (Reserve) - €3,500 Mary Nees on Category 6. Ironwork / Metalwork RDS New Entrants Prize 2008 - €1,500 David McCaul 1st Prize Category 5.1 Jewellery - Precious Metals RDS Graduate Prize 2008 - €1,500 Marie Crean 1st Prize Category 13. Knitting & Crochet RDS William Smith O’Brien Perpetual Challenge Cup Chris ty Keeney Category 1.2 Ceramics – Architectural & Decorative RDS Committee of Arts Acquisition Petra S chradi 1st Prize Category 1.1 Ceramics – Functional Ceramics Ireland Award - €500 Chris ty Keeney 1st Prize Category 1.2 Ceramics – Architectural & Decorative Mark S callan Category 1.2 Ceramics – Architectural & Decorative IACI Muriel Gahan Scholarship Nominee

S uzanne Rogers 1st Prize Category 4.2 Gold, Silver & Alternative Materials - Alternative Materials Rachel McKnight 1st Prize Category 5.2 Jewellery - Alternative Materials Alan Ardiff 1st Prize Category 6. Ironwork / Metalwork

Beth Moran 1st Prize Category 14.1 Weaving - Hand-weaving for Fashion or Furnishings Country Markets Ltd. Medal Annie Dibble Category 14.1 Weaving - Hand-weaving for Fashion or Furnishings Lillias Mitchell Award - €650 Terry Dunne 1st Prize Category 14.2 Weaving - Tapestry

Jonathan Ball 2nd Prize Category 6. Ironwork / Metalwork

Margaret Patton 1st Prize Category 16.1 Patchwork & Quilting - Traditional

S eam us Cas s idy 1st Prize Category 7. Woodturning Irish Woodturners Guild Award - €500

Ann Fleeton 1st Prize Category 16.2 Patchwork & Quilting - Contemporary

Thom as McCos h 2nd Prize Category 7. Woodturning

Logan McLain 1st Prize Category 17.1 Embroidery - Traditional Máirín O’Brien Flegg Memorial Award - €1,000 IACI Muriel Gahan Scholarship Nominee

Thom as P. Ry an 1st Prize Category 8. Wood & Stonecarving Edw ard Dom ican 2nd Prize Category 8. Wood & Stonecarving Paul Dooley 1st Prize Category 9. Musical Instruments Reggie Goodbody 2nd Prize Category 9. Musical Instruments Anne Harrington Rees 2nd Prize Category 10. Rod, Rush, Straw & Similar Materials Rois in Gartland 1st Prize Category 11. Leatherwork

Brigitta Varadi 1st Prize Category 2. Felting * Crafts Council of Ireland Purchase Award

Tris ha Bonham Corcoran 2nd Prize Category 11. Leatherwork

As trid Tom rop-Hofm ann 2nd Prize Category 2. Felting

Thom as Kay 1st Prize Category 12. Furniture

Karl Harron 1st Prize Category 3. Glass Dublin Art Glass Award - €700

Peter Ranalow & John Ry an 2nd Prize Category 12. Furniture

June O'Gorm an 2nd Prize Category 3. Glass

Andrew Kirrane Category 12. Furniture Duff Tisdall Furniture Design Award

Niam h Mulligan 1st Prize Category 4.1 Gold, Silver & Alternative Materials - Precious Metals. Company of Goldsmiths of Dublin Award - 1st Prize - €1,000

S tephen Ry an Category 12. Furniture National Crafts & Design Fair of Ireland Award - €1,500 IACI Muriel Gahan Scholarship Nominee

Catriona By rne Category 4.1 Gold, Silver & Alternative Materials - Precious Metals. Company of Goldsmiths of Dublin Award - 2nd Prize - €500 IACI Muriel Gahan Scholarship Nominee

Jurate Tis kute 2nd Prize Category 13. Knitting & Crochet IACI Muriel Gahan Scholarship Nominee

Nigel G. Cheney 1st Prize Category 17.2 Embroidery - Contemporary Máirín O’Brien Flegg Memorial Award - €500 * Crafts Council of Ireland Purchase Award Lynds ey McDougall Category 17.2 Embroidery - Contemporary * Crafts Council of Ireland Purchase Award Elizabeth Quain 1st Prize Category 18. Lace Guild of Irish Lacemakers Award - €250 Mary O'Neill 2nd Prize Category 18. Lace Eleanor De La Branchardiere Award - €1,200 Patricia Lam b Category 18. Lace Traditional Lace Makers of Ireland Award Kam ila Bartuzi 1st Prize Category 19.1 Printed Textiles - Hand Techniques Liz Nils s on 1st Prize Category 19.2 Printed Textiles - Digital Print Laura Ennis 1st Prize Category 20. Multimedia Textiles IACI Muriel Gahan Scholarship Nominee Kate Lennon 2nd Prize Category 20. Multimedia Textiles

9

News and Reviews

August Craft Month NI 2008 A Resounding Success!

Last month people joined a silver trail of world-class exhibitions, saw Indian folk art ‘as it happened’ and produced their own designs using ‘tie-dye’ and ‘raku’ craft techniques. Úna Parsons and Gerry Wycherly, CEO and Chairperson of the Crafts Council of Ireland visited Northern Ireland for the event and were thoroughly impressed by the diversity of the programme and the quality of the craft on display.

Organised by Craft Northern Ireland, this month-long celebration of craft opened on the 1st of August with a packed calendar of over 30 events taking place across Northern Ireland. The festival, simply called ‘August Craft Month’, offered everyone an opportunity to experience craft and to join in and get some hands-on experience of craft making.

Having had particular appeal for tourists, this wide-ranging programme of events was supported by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. Joe Kelly, Director of Craft NI noted "that this partnership represented a major step in developing important links between craft and tourism."

Downing Street Silverware

Research Mission Report Glenn Lucas visits the Utah Woodturning Symposium, USA In May 2008 Glenn Lucas attended the Utah Woodturning Symposium, this trip was partly funded by the Craft Council of Ireland’s Research Missions Scheme, which funds up to 50% of the cost of attending a craft/ design show abroad. Glenn reports on the positive experiences and many benefits he enjoyed on this trip.

The reason I attended the show was to learn from the presenters, learn new techniques and network with the delegates and the organisers.

The Utah Woodturning Symposium is the longest running woodturning symposium in the world. It has been running for 29 years and participants select from over 110 demonstrations given by some of the best International woodturners.

The presentations have something for everyone, from the experienced professional, to the absolute beginner.

I got to meet with some of the teachers there and listen to their different approaches and hear their recommendations. This was very useful as I am currently opening my own ‘study centre/ school’ and this opportunity gave me the chance to hear about current best practice and also to become familiar with the pros and cons of juggling teaching with running a professional production business.

The symposium was an exceptionally well-run event, with all visitors being made to feel very welcome by the Festival Director and other organisers.

There was a genuine eagerness to listen and give feedback and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting with other woodturners from all over the world, many of whom have reached the pinnacle of their careers as teachers and as artists.

The work that I brought with me was also very well received, at the delegates exhibition and auction my native Irish beech salad bowl was much sought after and was sold in the end for a bid of $425!

I am confident that in the process of setting up a centre, I have a core list of world-class wood-turning teachers and guest demonstrators who will continue to communicate with me and would be happy to accept an invitation to Ireland to both demonstrate in my centre

Glenn Lucas

and to enjoy the quality Irish craft and design that Ireland has to offer.

10

News and Reviews Ceramics Ireland International Festival - A Great Success

The annual Ceramics Ireland International Festival, which took place on September 4th to 6th in Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny was a great success for participating artists and visitors alike.

The Crafts Council of Ireland’s Ceramic Design and Skills School played host for what was a dynamic, informative and entertaining event. Demonstrations, slide shows, lectures, exhibitions, firings, trade stands and entertainment all took place in the grounds of this beautiful old mill on the banks of the River Nore.

Participating artists included Frances Lambe and Jim Turner (Ire), Jim Robinson and Mike Dodd (UK) and Jason Walker and Kira Campbell (USA). The comprehensive lecture programme featured a selection of presented papers, student presentations and a discussion forum. Speakers included Kira Campbell, Gus Mabelson and Audrey Whitty, Curator of Ceramics, Glass & Asian Collections at the National Museum of Ireland. An exhibition of the visiting artists’ work was also on show at Kozo Gallery, Thomastown during the festival.

Kira Cambell

Irish Speakers Announced for

SOFA 2008

Irish woodturner Roger Bennett has been invited to participate in a significant lecture as part of Chicago’s Annual Exposition of Sculpture, Objects & Functional Art (SOFA) taking place from the 7th to the 9th of November this year.

The lecture, entitled Enhancing Nature: Wood & Colour will be given by the Collectors of Wood Art and Bennett will join other important artists from all over the US, who will be discussing their work. Another member of the Irish contingent at SOFA 2008 has also been invited to deliver a key lecture during the fair Jennifer Goff, Curator of Furniture, Musical and Scientific Instruments at the National Museum of Ireland will give a lecture on modernist developments in Irish furniture from the turn of the 20th century through to the present day.

SOFA is a key international event for contemporary craft and applied art.

Last year a record 35,000 people visited Navy Pier to see work by some of the world’s most important dealers and galleries. This is the third year

T - B: John Lee, Inga Reed

running that the Crafts Council of Ireland has attended the event and 2008 promises to be another impressive outing, with 23 of our leading craftspeople showcasing their work. 2006 and 2007 saw some of our artists gain international representation while others saw their work added to major American collections. For contemporary Irish craft in general, it has been a huge success. The opportunity to showcase our beautifully designed and crafted work on an international stage has paid huge dividends. Influential gallerists, collectors and critics have been introduced to high-end Irish craft and the artists who created it. So positive was the response, that some of them travelled to Ireland earlier this year to visit artists studios and workshops around the country.

For more information please visit www.sofaexpo.com or www.ccoi.ie.

Mark Hanvey

11

Craft Community Forum

Through the ‘Craft Community’ section of Stopress, the Crafts Council of Ireland is happy to facilitate a FORUM AREA for constructive debate amongst craft enthusiasts. The views in this forum are therefore the views of individuals and are not necessarily the views of the Crafts Council of Ireland.

A New Dialogue

Opinion/Analysis/Criticism

Craft & Criticism: A New Dialogue began in the July/August issue, Stopress 16, 2007. Silversmith, Seamus Gill introduced the forum with a lecture he heard delivered by Bruce Metcalf on ‘Critical Writing on Crafts; Who Benefits?’ at SOFA (Sculpture, Objects & Functional Art), Chicago, 2006. Since then there has been a great response to this forum from the wider craft community, including craftspeople, writers and academics. Below is the latest contribution and response to the ‘Craft & Criticism’ forum.

seamus gill

Critical Writing on Crafts: Who Benefits?

Subject: Craft & Criticism Response by: Dr. Joseph McBrinn, Lecturer at the School of Art and Design, University of Ulster, Belfast

Dear Craft Forum, It is with great interest that I have followed the comments posted in this section of STOPRESS over the past year since Seamus Gill made his initial statement about the place of critical writing in the contemporary Irish craft world. Whilst I welcome the opportunity this forum presents as a teacher (and writer) I do think that the issues initially raised by the American jeweller Bruce Metcalf’s 2006 SOFA lecture ‘Writing on the Crafts: Who Benefits?’ (which jolted Gill into action) are sadly perennial. And, unsurprisingly it has generated much heated debate, almost everywhere, over the years.

The critic Janet Koplos recently suggested; ‘Craft criticism is a mess.

It has a shaky past, uncertain credentials, no theoretical basis, and only a vague idea of an ideal. A lot of it is defensive, operating on the assumption that craft is an underdog field’ (in Jean Johnson (ed.), Exploring Contemporary Craft: History, Theory & Critical Writing, 2002, p. 3). Koplos further suggests that this may mask deeper, displaced, anxieties within the craft world itself: Criticism has become a convenient hole in which to shovel all the controversy, all the quality issues, all the identity crises surrounding the uncertain position of contemporary crafts, which have lost their functional purposes and so retain only decorative and symbolic ones. These essential issues should be faced in every class taught and in every object made.

Sometimes they are, but often these ‘critical issues’ get postponed or, more precisely, they get hidden under the easier to talk about subject of ‘what’s wrong with crafts criticism?’ (ibid, p. 81) The critic Rosemary Hill concluded (in her 2001 RCA Peter Dormer Lecture) that by the new millennium anyway ‘as the concept of craft is dissolving’ craft criticism is ‘as such coming to an end’.

Rosemary Hill is English, Bruce Metcalf and Janet Koplos are American and they are responding to their specific English and North American contexts. It is difficult to make a comparative response about the Irish context, as even basic documentation of

the crafts here barely exists never mind serious critical or theoretical interrogation. Irish newspapers, magazines and journals tend to sideline or disregard craft and the few articles that find their way to print are often light, disparate and tangential. Whilst Irish craft is internationally recognised as an innovative field, Irish writing exists in a hermetic state that is largely benign. It is for the most part explanatory and pedestrian: rarely experimental or provocative; almost always insular and idiosyncratic; and often possesses little self-awareness or any real sense of local, or global, context.

The blame lies largely with the teaching of craft history in schools, colleges and universities, which often falls under the rubic of visual culture or cultural studies. Here craft can be easily lost (or distorted) amidst its more aggressive (and seemingly professionalized) art and design history counterparts. On a positive note the CCoI has an important policy of publishing catalogues to their exhibitions. But these are printed in small runs and are often difficult to get unless you get to Kilkenny. However, the CCoI’s earlier short-lived Craft Review (1987-1991) magazine was an admirable beginning to foster critical writing and emerged at a time when writing on contemporary crafts internationally was itself being crystallised.

To reprise such a journal would be worthwhile as the crafts are clearly marginal to the agenda of the media in Ireland. Wouldn’t it be stimulating to have a designated forum to write for such as an internationally admired journal like the British Crafts Council’s Crafts (1973-) or the American Craft Council’s American Craft (1979-).

Whilst I agree that good critical writing on contemporary craft is fundamental to its continued existence I would equally insist upon the necessity of fostering writing on craft history. Indeed, this STOPRESS discussion was sparked by comments made by Bruce Metcalf who is completing a book (co-authored with Janet Koplos) on the history of the studio craft movement in twentieth century America. For me, like many, craft history is a valuable tool in helping locate thinking within practice, past and present.

Continued on page 12

12

Craft Community News Continued from page 11

To this end the School of Art and Design at the University of Ulster offers opportunity to study the history and theory of craft at postgraduate level, on the MA Irish Visual Culture, and the University of Ulster has also initiated a doctoral research strand entitled ‘The Identities of Craft in Ireland from Modernity to Post-Modernity’, and is keen to encourage anyone interested in pursuing research to contact us (seewww.adbe.ulster.ac.uk/schools/ graduate_schools/public/docs/PhD.topics.doc).

This year many of my students will have read some of the recently published (and deeply engaging) books on craft such as Harold Risatti’s A Theory of Craft: Function and Aesthetic Expression (2007), Richard Sennett’s The Craftsman (2007) or Glenn Adamson’s Thinking Through Craft (2007) - but what about their own context?

What knowledge of the remarkable history of their own craft disciplines in Ireland can they possibly hope to have before they finish their studies? So what I am really saying is simple - we need much more writing on the crafts in Ireland before we can even

begin to make value judgements like those by Metcalf, Koplos and Hill. Who would benefit from such writing? Surely, we all would.

Dr. Joseph McBrinn lectures at the School of Art and Design, The University of Ulster, Belfast, and wrote chapters in 'NeoCraft' (2007) and 'Craft, Space and Interior Design, 1855-2005' (2008).

Editor’s Note: The Crafts Council of Ireland has a number of initiatives underway in relation to some of the above. We will shortly launch an Annual Critical Writing in Craft Award, in association with Irish Arts Review open to final year degree and postgraduate students in Craft, Design and Journalism and others. Next year we will launch a Publications Fund to stimulate books on craft and recognizing the value of craft history, plans are underway to expand and grow The Crafts Councils of Ireland’s material and cultural archive, both visual and textual.

New Member Organisations at CCoI The Crafts Council of Ireland (CCoI) would like to extend a warm welcome to the five new crafts guilds who have become member organisations of CCoI during 2008.

They are Louth Craftmark Designers Network, Offaly Crafty, Limerick Ceramic Works, the Glass Society of Ireland and the Letter Carvers Guild Ireland. If you would like further information on membership or the activities of any of these guilds please see below for contact details: Louth Craftm ark Designers Netw ork Dundalk Co. Louth Contact: Sarah McKenna e: info@sarahmckenna.com t: 042 939 6943 w: www.louthcraftmark.com

Limerick Ceramic Works Henry Street, Co. Limerick Contact: Gemma Dardis e: limerickceramicworks@gmail.com t: 061 408714/ 086 3148684 Glass Society of Ireland Cabinteely, Dublin 18 Contact: Aideen McCole e: glasssocietyofireland@gmail.com t: 087 9922688 Letter Carvers Guild Ireland Ashford, Co Wicklow Contact: Stuart McGrath e: stuart@stonecarvingstudio.com t: 087 2943818 w: www.stonecarvingstudio.com For further information on registering your guild with CCoI please contact Nuala McGrath on t: 056 779-6133 e: nuala@ccoi.ie

Offaly Crafty Birr, Co. Offaly Contact: Hazel Greene

Tribute to Con

e: info@bramberstudio.com t: 0505 47025/ 087 2209414 w: www.offalyartsandcrafts.com

Doyle

The Crafts Council of Ireland is sad to report on the death of Con Doyle, who sadly passed away earlier this year. Con was one of the first woodturners in Ireland to sell tableware to retail outlets, both at home and abroad. He had a long standing relationship with CCoI since its beginning and was a regular exhibitor at showcase until he retired in 2004.

He received numerous awards for the quality of his work and was regarded highly in the trade, usually being referred to as a man of gentle character. His woodturning work is being carried on by his son Cormac Doyle. Con is survived by and will be greatly missed by his wife Mairead, daughters Maeve and Aileen and sons Cormac, Eamonn, Cathal and Aidan.

Ceramics at the Hallward 11th - 27th September 2008 The Hallward Mill Cove Gallery is currently exhibiting the best of contemporary Irish ceramics. This adjudicated exhibition presents significant ceramic achievements by artists in this medium. Two Awards were made as part of the exhibition - The Hallward Mill Cove Award to Alison Kay and the Ceramics Ireland Award to Lucy Meagher.'

From over 300 submissions, 57 ceramic artists have been selected for exhibition, including Jim Turner, Frances Lambe, Pat Connor, Laura O’Hagan, Michael Moore, Fidelma Massey, Neil Read and Etain Hickey.

The Hallward, 65 Merrion Square, Dublin 2.

T: 01 662 1482 E: info@hallwardgallery.com www.hallwardgallery.com

13

Craft Community News

Tribute to Patrick Hall The craft world was shocked to hear of the death of ceramicist Patrick Hall in a road traffic accident in July of this year.

We exhibited at Showcase, The National Craft Gallery, Habitat, The Interiors Show and many more smaller venues.

I first met Patrick at a Crafts Council of Ireland meeting in Collins Barracks in 2002 when a group was set up to promote niche market products.

This group was called Ten Times Tables which then progressed to become Six Times Tables, a very successful partnership.

Patrick was a very talented ceramicist and was legendary for his beautifully executed porcelain Space Ship Lights and his quirky sense of humour.

Judging by his funeral he will be sadly missed by his many friends, his family, his soul mate Trish and beautiful daughter Ellen.

The group would meet about four times a year to decide on colours, designs and future exhibitions together.

Ní bheidh a leithead ann arís.

Eva Kelly

Patrick Hall

An Exhibition of Contemporary Jewellery & Silversmithing - Belfast The Craft & Design Collective, formerly, County Down Crafts, presents 1ST EDITION, an exhibition of Contemporary Jewellery & Silversmithing, at Space CRAFT the group’s shop/ gallery/ exhibition area at The Fountain Centre, College Street, Belfast, from Friday 5th to Saturday 27th September 2008.

Jewellers, artists and designer-makers from the Craft & Design Collective have come together to raise awareness regarding contemporary jewellery currently available to commission and buy. The exhibition includes work in a broad range of materials such as gold, silver, rubber, perspex, plastic, nylon, resin and wood.

The Gallery is open Monday to Saturday 10.30am to 5.30pm, t: 028 9032 9342 m: 0779 327 9161 e: jan.irwin@virgin.net

New Dedicated Craft Portal on discoverireland.ie Following the success of the Crafts Council of Ireland’s (CCoI) partnership with Fáilte Ireland at Bloom 2008 earlier this year, CCoI is happy to announce the most recent development in the growing partnership between the two organisations.

Fáilte Ireland has just added a new dedicated Irish craft page to its site, www.discoverireland.ie. The new portal www.discoverireland.ie/crafts will be a one stop shop for consumers and visitors to Ireland, who wish to access the best of Irish craft, through quality retail outlets, open

studios, craft trails and information on craftspeople working in Ireland. www.discoverireland.ie, Fáilte Ireland's main consumer website is extensively promoted nationally as part of the annual Discover Ireland campaign. Through the Tourism Content Systems it feeds all other information distribution channels, the network of tourist offices and also feeds discoverireland.com, the sister site promoted internationally by Tourism Ireland overseas. The portal is now up and running, so have a look for yourself at www.discoverireland.ie/craft!

Fáilte Ireland Website, www.discoverireland.ie

14

Opportunities Craft in the Classroom Calling all Makers Craft in the Classroom is a visual arts-based educational programme that provides training for makers and teachers in the design and delivery of creative crafts projects for children in classroom contexts.

Work produced during ‘Craft in the Classroom’

The Crafts Council of Ireland is seeking professional makers from all disciplines interested in finding out more about the programme. For the 2008 - 2009 period. Craft in the Classroom will run in Dublin West and Leitrim. Information days will be held on the following dates and locations:

Classroom programme and would like to be considered for selection to deliver residencies.

Following the information day participants will be invited to apply for “residency projects.”

Successful applicants will be required to attend Child Protection Training and Craft in the Classroom training in early 2009.

S aturday 11th October - Dublin Wes t, The Tow er Hotel, Tallaght

Craftspeople who have previously participated in Craft in the Classroom residencies, attended the information day and completed the Child Protection Training may re-apply for the 2009 residency programme and if successful, are only required to attend 1 training day and 1 evening planning session in either location in early January 2009. However, you must register your intention to apply for the 2009 residency.

S aturday 18th October - Carrick-onS hannon, Education Centre, Leitrim Pleas e Note: Attendance at the information days is mandatory for craftspeople who have not yet participated in the Craft in the

In response to feedback from Class in the Classroom participants to date, successful applicants for the 2008/2009 programme will receive a flat rate travel expense in addition to the residency fee.

To regis ter y our interes t in attending the inform ation day s or intention to apply for the 2008/2009 res idency program m e pleas e contact: Am anda Wals h on t: 056 7761804, e: am anda@ccoi.ie.

ALL CRAFTS PEOPLE WIS HING TO ATTEND THE INFORMATION DAYS MUS T REGIS TER WITH C CoI BY TUES DAY, 30TH S EPTEMBER 2008.

Further details about Craft in the Classroom are available on our website: www.ccoi.ie

Network Support Scheme 2008 Closing Date 30th September Due to the high level of interest in the Network Support Scheme 2008 we are pleased to announce an additional call out for funding applications: For further information or to download an application form:

Go to the ‘Opportunities’ section of our website at: www.ccoi.ie or email Mary Whelan at maryw@ccoi.ie

Crafts Council of Ireland at Higher Options Fair, RDS, Dublin September 17th - 19th 2008 A career in craft and design is diverse, challenging, innovative, creative and fulfilling. There are a huge range of skills based disciplines to choose from: jewellery, furniture making, textiles, ceramics, glass, metal-working and more. The Crafts Council of Ireland is available to guide you through the many career and training opportunities that the Irish craft industry has to offer. Visit our education stand at the Higher Options Fair, RDS, September 17th - 19th to find out more!

15

Opportunities

Crafts Council of Ireland

Autumn Mentoring Programme 'The Crafts Council of Ireland (CCoI) has worked with many mentors and experts, developing high levels of expertise in business, design and production. This Autumn CCoI are implementing a Mentoring programme as part of their Strategic plan.

Crafts Council of Ireland

Bursary 2008

Themed Mentoring The CCoI will offer group mentoring days in Kilkenny during October & November 2008.

Thank you to everyone who submitted material in application for the Bursary 2008 Award. There were a large amount of very high quality submissions and a review of all submissions is now being undertaken. The winner of the Bursary 2008 award will be announced in late September 2008. Please visit www.ccoi.ie for further updates.

Proposed Topics: 1. Identity and packaging 2. Merchandising and display 3. Gallery relationships 4. Conducting consumer research and new product development 5. Retail relationships 6. How to write an exhibition brief 7. pR and Media relationships 8. presentation Skills 9. pricing and Costing 10. Export and marketing abroad.

11. Increasing your sales offering through brand awareness If you are interested please download the form from our website (www.ccoi.ie) and tick the 5 topics you are most interested in.

CCoI will provide mentoring on the 5 most popular topics.

Individual Mentoring Do you feel you need assistance in any area and would like some ‘one to one’ mentoring from the professionals. If so, please contact us now as only a limited number of places are available - selection will apply. please download an application form from the ‘Opportunities’ section of our website www.ccoi.ie CLOSING DATE: TUESDAY 30th September

Have You Enjoyed Reading Stopress??? please let us know what aspects of Stopress you enjoy by answering these three simple question and forwarding your response to info@ccoi.ie. A draw will take place for those who participate for a prize to the value of €150.

1. Which page do you enjoy reading most in Stopress?

2. What would you like to see more of in Stopress?

3. Would you prefer to receive Stopress by mail or email?

CLOSING DATE: 30TH SEPTEMBER 08

Crafts Council of Ireland at Ploughing Championships September 23rd - 25th 2008 The tradition of craft goes hand in hand with agriculture: blacksmithing, basket-making & weaving are only a few of the craft disciplines that have evolved over centuries in Ireland. The traditional models are still used today but in a vibrant and contemporary way.

The quality and diversity of Irish craft today offers fantastic career opportunities and training. Why not visit the Crafts Council of Ireland's education stand at the Ploughing Championships to find out more about a range of courses from degree level to weekend workshops.

16

Opportunities

Exposing Craft A seminar on Exhibition Design & Curatorial Skills 27th November 08, Kilkenny Are you interested in organising and curating craft exhibitions? Do you want your exhibitions to stand out? Then this is a day for you. Exposing Craft is an informative and practical seminar. It is intended to advise aspiring curators on the content and design of exhibitions and how to run them efficiently. It will cover all areas involved in the design of an exhibition, from concept to delivery.

The event will be packed with expert speakers with international experience, information on galleries nationally and how to access them and the mechanics of running of a professional exhibition. It will also mark the launch of the Crafts Council of Ireland’s updated guide to organising and running exhibitions written by Hilary Morley, Curator.

Exposing Craft will take place in the Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle, please contact Mary Whelan for further information: t: 056 776 1804 e: maryw@ccoi.ie or visit our website: www.ccoi.ie

Business Awareness for Emerging Makers 7th November 08, Kilkenny To compliment Breaking Out, an exhibition running at the National Craft Gallery from the 18th October 08 to 31st January 09, the Crafts Council of Ireland is running a seminar packed with advice and information for all those starting out in a career in craft enterprise. Whether you are producing work for gallery exhibition or for the retail market this is the seminar for you!

Topics w ill Include: • • • •

Adv ice from buy ers /curators Writing a propos al w hich w ill ens ure s ucces s Pres enting y ours elf and y our product Creating a s trong pres s releas e

Business Awareness for emerging makers will take place in the Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle, please contact Mary Whelan for further information: t: 056 776 1804 e: maryw@ccoi.ie or visit our website: www.ccoi.ie

Dublin City Enterprise Board Round Table Event for October Calling all Furniture & Tabletop Design Businesses/ Bespoke Jewellery Businesses Dublin City Enterprise Board is holding two information sessions aimed at both Tabletop, Furniture and Lighting Design Businesses and Bespoke Jewellery Businesses in order to provide a networking opportunity in which businesses can meet and share information (businesses must be trading for at least 2 years).

The format will be mostly discussion based and will also have a questions & answers session. The aim of the session is to have an interactive session where people for whom designer products are the main activity of their business can share the latest trends and use it as a starting point for some discussion and networking. What are the common issues for craft/ design businesses? What are the solutions?

Date: Time: Venue:

Tuesday 2nd October 08 14:00 - 16:30 Dublin City Enterprise Board, 5th Floor, O'Connell Bridge House, D'Olier Street, Dublin 2

This is an excellent opportunity to meet other design businesses and find out more about the supports available to help you run your business. It is not a training course. Places are restricted to 15 participants. We expect strong demand.

Please see DCEB’s website for full details www.dceb.ie or email your interest to Eibhlin Curley, by Friday 26th September to E: ecurley@dceb.ie

17

Opportunities Research Missions

Showcase A New Era! With just over four months to go, plans for the new developments at Showcase 2009 are well underway ... and the excitement is mounting!!!

Financial Assistance Towards Visiting Exhibitions/Fairs/Conferences If you want to research an event/show in 2009 and want to avail of assistance with costs,

apply now • Read Glenn Lucas' report from a recent Research Mission to the Utah Woodturning Symposium on page 9 • Also visit the Resource Area of the CCoI website

For buyers the impact will be immediate - with a new look and feel for the show, from the entrance right through to Hall J. New product and new talent will be one of the key thrusts - with plenty of initiatives to highlight craft throughout the show. And a positive impact on buyers means increased sales potential for exhibitors.

Marketed to Buyers - Craft Focal Points The Balcony is being developed as one of the key craft locations, with over 90% of the exhibitors now registered with CCoI. The group stands will also move to a prominent new location in Hall A along with the ‘One Day’ stands for emerging craft businesses and a fantastic new seminar area.

The Source Aisle will remain a prominent feature in the Main Hall with a new look and some exciting additional promotional features in the pipeline.

for listings of design museums/ crafts fairs & exhibitions through Ireland and abroad

Closing Date: 30th November 2008 For further information and to download an application form: Go to the ‘Opportunities’ section of our website www.ccoi.ie or email Mary Whelan at maryw@ccoi.ie

Seminars - Adding Value and Offering Insight Seminars by key speakers on topics that will inform and attract retailers will run throughout each day of the show. These sessions add value to the show offering retailers a chance to access new information to help grow their business, while also doing business and placing orders!

Networking Opportunities Another new feature is a networking evening event for buyers and exhibitors, which will not only offer everyone the chance to kick back and have fun, but also to build and develop key relationships in an informal setting.

Over the coming weeks we will be announcing further developments and innovations - so please keep an eye on the website and read the Crafts Council of Ireland ezines to keep up to speed on all that is new for Showcase 2009!

Álainn News Álainn is an initiative set up by the Crafts Council of Ireland to increase awareness and access to Ireland’s vibrant & contemporary fine Irish craft market. Álainn membership includes, invitation to special collectors events and exhibitions, priority reservations at CCoI lectures and seminars, master-craftsman studio tour and more.

NEW DISCOUNTS!!!

S o if y ou are a com m erc ial craft m anufacturer, s upply ing into retail, y ou can’t afford to m is s S how cas e 2009! If y ou hav en’t booked or confirm ed y our booking pleas e contact Em m a McGrath at 056 7761804 im m ediately as there is lim ited s pace av ailable - and w e w ant to ens ure it is filled w ith craft!

From Leading Irish Craft Galleries now Include: Designyard, 48-49 Nassau Street, Dublin 2. www.designyard.ie Red Aesthetic, 2 Rose Inn Street, Kilkenny. www.redaesthetic.com Etain Hickey Collection, 40 Ash Street, Clonakilty, Cork.

For further information on Álainn membership contact Ann Dack: T: 056 7761804 E: ann@ccoi.ie W: www.ccoi.ie

18

Opportunities

Dates for your Diary

Opportunities...Opportunities...Opportunities...Opportunities

*Please note: The November/ December 2008 issue of Stopress will be published on 15th November 2008. Please forward all submissions by 15th October 2008. Stopress is also available on-line at www.ccoi.ie

OPPORTUNITY DIARY DATES

BY/ON/CURRENTLY

CCoI Network Support Scheme: closing date for applications CCoI Autumn Mentoring Programme: closing Date for Applications CCoI Craft in the Classroom Information Day The Tower Hotel, Tallaght, Dublin West CCoI Craft in the Classroom Information Day Education Centre, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim Business Awareness: CCoI Seminar for Emerging Makers Exhibition Design and Curatorial Skills: CCoI Seminar CCoI Research Missions: Closing Date for Applications for Financial Assistance

by by

30th September 30th September

on

11th October

on on on

18th October 7th November 27th November

by

30th November

on on on on on

9th August - 5th October 4th - 27th October 18th October ‘08- 31st January ’09 1st November 7th - 9th November

on

5th - 11th November

on on on on on on on

17th - 19th September 23rd - 25th September 24th - 28th September 4th - 6th November 14th - 16th November 3rd - 7th December 18th - 21st January 2009

on on on on

18th - 21st September Premiere Vision, Paris 23rd - 26th September Origin: The London 7th-12th & 14th -19th October 7th - 9th November

NATIONAL CRAFT GALLERY (NCG) EXHIBITIONS 2008 For 2008 Programme contact ncg@ccoi.ie or log onto www.ccoi.ie NCG, Castle Yard, Kilkenny Image of Longing RDS National Crafts Competition Prizewinners Breaking Out Breaking Out Official Opening SOFA, Sculpture, Objects and Fine Art, Chicago, USA For NCG Touring Exhibitions visit www.ccoi.ie or see Exhibitions Programme

SPECIAL EVENTS Design Week, Venues all over Ireland. www.designweek.ie

SHOWS IN IRELAND 2008 CCoI at Higher Options Fair, RDS, Dublin CCoI at Ploughing Championships, Cuffesgrange, Co. Kilkenny. www.npa.ie 43rd Annual Irish Antique Dealers Fair PlanExpo, www.expo-events.com Art Ireland, RDS, Dublin. www.irishartfair.com National Crafts Fair, RDS, Dublin. www.nationalcraftsfair.ie Showcase, RDS, Dublin. www.showcaseireland.com

INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR DATES 2008 100% Design, London www.100percentdesign.co.uk www.premierevision.fr Craft Fair www.craftscouncil.org.uk SOFA, Chicago www.sofaexpo.com

19

FOR SALE

Felted Christmas Traditions Book is available from choice publishing. price € 15 T: 041 9841551 W: www.choicepublishing.ie

Advertisements Invitation to submit proposals for Kaunas Art Biennial TEXTILE 09 , which will be held in kaunas, Lithuania, from 1st of october till 30th of november, 2009. deadline for applications 30th of november 2008. All information about conditions of participation, please find on our website www.biennial.lt or T: +37061256171

Front Loading Ceramic Kiln rohde ke90n with Bentrup tc 507 controller. 6.6kw single phase 400V including shelves. also programmed for glass firings. 3 years old with very light usage. excellent condition.

Interior 42x48x46cm. € 3,000 o.n.o (€ 4,000 new). Contact Olga T: 071 914 2133, 086 157 5687 E: olgahiggins@gmail.com

EXHIBITIONS (SUBMISSIONS WANTED)

Friars’ Gate, Limerick

EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS

Madhatters Tea Party II, An Exhibition of Hats by Lina Stein . Join Westport-based australian Milliner Lina stein for an evening of fun and frivolity, style and elegance.

Like-minded hat enthusiasts from all over will have the opportunity to dress sharp, wear their favorite hat, enjoy the company with a glass of wine and some nice nibbles!!

Opening - October 9th 2008, 7pm at Linenmill Café Winebar, New Road, Westport, Co. Mayo

is a theatre and arts centre including a gallery space with monthly exhibitions. We are always looking for new people to exhibit with us.

For further information contact Caoimhe at T: 063 98727 E: friarsgate@eircom.net W: www.friarsgate.ie

st Ives, cornwall. september 14th - november 14th 2008. Jack doherty, Lead potter at the Leach pottery and Museum in st Ives cornwall has created a stimulating and thought provoking exhibition which explores the power of fire to alter and enhance clay objects. he has chosen eight potters who use very different types of kiln and firing techniques. potters include svend Bayer, gail nichols, Martin McWilliam, ashraf hanna, Jack doherty, nic collins, sarah Walton, Lisa hammond. kiln opening at the Leach pottery saturday september 20th from 11am. an opportunity to buy new work straight from the kiln. all welcome. The Leach pottery, Higher Stennack, St Ives, Cornwall, TR26 2HE, UK.T: 01736 799703/ E: office@leachpottery.com

The Mill Theatre Gallery, Dundrum Town Centre hosts an exhibition of New Paintings by David Gearty entitled “Nutopia Nutopia”, new work from Irish artist based in the northwest of Ireland. september 6th - october 3rd 2008, open Mon- sat 10am-6pm.

Contact Aoife E: aoife@milltheatre.com T: 01-2969340 W: www.milltheatre.com

Enda O’Donoghue at Limerick Print Makers + Gallery . Limerick printmakers

Nora Dunne Gallery is now open for Submissions craft and sculptural work wanted. one-off pieces and unique designs. please email 3 samples of work including sizes and prices. gallery opening late in october 2008. We have an exhibition space 9 x 10meters.

Located in terenure dublin 12. space can be split into 2 for smaller exhibitions. all welcome to see space in october. space available with or without curator. help with promotion, opening and sales.

Contact Karen Harper T: 086 888 5321 E: noradunnegallery@gmail.com

Formed in Fire, Leach Pottery and Museum ,

Cork Textile Conference 2009 ‘Transforming Textiles’ is a one-day conference with lecturers from Britain and Ireland’s leading contemporary textile artists.

Lectures, workshops and viewing of work. Venue: coláiste stiofán naofa, tramore road, cork. sat 7th March 2009. entrance fee: € 80.

For more information contact Carmel T: 086 6095656 or E: ctn@oceanfree.net

studio and gallery are delighted to present ‘after_Joeblogs’, an exhibition of recent paintings by enda o'donoghue. the work in this exhibition comes from an ongoing series of paintings which looks to the Internet as a source of photographic imagery. the exhibition will open on 4 september at 8pm and continues until 25 september 2008.

W: www.endaism.com/ www.limerickprintmakers.com

John Moloney at the Library Gallery, Fishguard, Wales . fe 2008 is an exhibition of a selection of iron sculptures cast in Wales at

the Library gallery fishguard, town hall, Market square, fishguard, on show until 27 september 2008. this exhibition is to promote the 6th International conference of cast Iron art to be held in carmarthenshire in July 2010.

Group Show at Eggliving, Galway . coinciding with heritage Week, eggliving in oughterard present 'poached', an exhibition of work by artists from engage art studios in galway. featuring a mix of work in various media the artists 'poached' for this show are Leah Beggs, alice collins, Michelle doyle, emma fisher, sharon Lynch and hana tesar. the exhibition will run until 28 september 2008.

W: www.eggliving.ie

WORKSHOPS /COURSES

Derryaun Crafts Workshop , Westport, co Mayo. 2008 autumn calendar - 4th sept: felted Jewellery, combined wire, fibre and beads. 12th sept: needle felted figures/ 4th and 5th oct: Batik Workshop with Bernie dignam/ 23rd and 24th oct: Basket weaving with Joe hogan/ 10th oct: Basic Jewellery making. In the pipe line an introduction to precious metal clay with Maura dickinson, etching with Marianne heemskirk and metal jewellery with derek Mcgowen. Contact Suzie Sullivan T: 098 21888 E: suzie@derryauncrafts.com W: www.derryauncrafts.com

Glass Beadmaking for Beginners - Working with the elements of temperature, timing, gravity and perseverance, learn the basics of glass beadmaking to form several shapes such as round, bi cone, tabular and cylinder. all materials, safety equipment & tools are provided for the course. dates - 27th & 28th september. cost € 190 includes supplies and lunch. transport from Westport train station & B&B available. For further

20

Advertisements information contact Cheryl La Nua Studio, Muranny, Co Mayo. T: 098 36192 E: Cheryl@beadventures.com

Hillside Art Gallery + Studio, Donoughmore, Ballyragget, Co. Kilkenny . courses available in calligraphy, watercolour, pen + ink, oil and mosaic. all materials included.

Bed + breakfast also available if required. Contact Colette O’Brien T: 087 053 9504/ 087 616 9530 E: info@hillsideartgallery.com W: www.hillsideartgallery.com

Hand Knitting Course . the course is to be run on the 8th november 2008 and will involve guidance in hand knitting in colour and trouble shooting with aran garments. current projects are welcomed. Contact: Caroline Wilson T: 059 9156994 E: eirlyskn@hotmail.co.uk

Beads & Bling . We supply a wide range of beads, haberdashery and millinery products as well as having the widest selection of classes in jewellery, millinery and bead making techniques available, our store is located at 5, Bedford row, temple Bar, dublin 2. phone us at 353 1 6337814 or email info@beadsandbling.com or visit our website, beadsandbling.com

TRAINING & COURSES

Dublin City Enterprise Board offers courses and training modules that are run by professional trainers and supported by fÁs, the state training agency. as a result we can offer high quality business training at surprisingly low cost. In today’s information driven economy, training to acquire the necessary business knowledge can make the

vital difference between success and failure. our training venues are the national college of Ireland, I.f.s.c., dublin 1 and guinness enterprise centre, dublin 8. Book today at www.dceb.ie/onlinebooking

Tourism Learning Networks - a unique and flexible learning networking initiative.

You choose from a wide range of programme topics and we provide support through mentoring and providing access to information and web based e-Learning.

For further information contact T: 01 884 7771 E: tourismtraining@failteireland.ie

Hands on creative workshops in West Cork . a chance to spend time with top professionals, learning arts or craft skills. a wide range of classes, courses and workshops, from single days to ongoing day/ evening classes in a variety of locations in West cork. For further information contact W: www.handsonwestcork.com

PLACEMENTS/JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Would you Like to be a Tour Guide? fáilte Ireland will be recruiting for tour guides. their on-line national tour guide programme will run for 20 weeks and will include some workshops and familiarization trips. If you have a keen interest in Irish culture and are a good communicator (ideally with an additional language to Irish or english) you may be interested in training as a tourist guide, normally seasonal work. the next course will begin in nov 2008. To apply, please register your interest with Frances Kinsella, Continuing professional Development, Fáilte Ireland, 88-95 Amiens Street, Dublin 1, T: 01 8847767 E: Frances.Kinsella@failteireland.ie

Nora Dunne Gallery has 3 teaching rooms available. Located

at kcr terenure d12. all interested in teaching are welcome to come and see rooms. Would be interested in accommodating all crafts. no set prices as we are open to suggestion.

Contact Karen Harper T: 086 888 5321 E: noradunnegallery@gmail.com

BUSINESS & FINANCE Fitoutireland.com is an online resource for architects, designers, & specifiers in the Irish fit-out market. this website is a showcase for the best architectdesigned Irish commercial interiors, with up to date news on the Irish fit out industry, in depth articles and project reviews as well as directory of the industry’s suppliers, contractors and designers

Brendan Murphy T: 087 6987340 E: murphyshalfacre@eircom.net

Clare Crafts Association is running its annual craft fairs on the following dates: sat & sun 8th & 9th nov in ennis/ sun 16th nov in killaloe/ sun 23 nov 08 in gort/ sun 14 dec in ennis. Any makers interested in attending please email conor@candlesireland.com or contact paula on 065 6827128 for an application form.

Designer Arts and Crafts Event/ Fair at celtic ross hotel, rosscarbery, West cork, on sunday 9th november 2008. open to public 10.30 am - 6 pm. spaces/tables available at € 110 inner 6ft tables and € 150 outer wall spaces 6ft tables. Contact: Jennie White 086 170 3635 jenni040@gmail.com

The Dalkey Winter Fair : organised by dun Laoghaire NEW WEBSITES

The Museum of the Master Saddler. new Blogsite showcasing this truly unique museum in the north-West of Ireland. Its address is (no need for any www’s) themuseumofthemastersaddler.blogspot.com

CRAFT FAIRS/ STALLS AVAILABLE

The Craft Fair 2008 .

Linenhall arts centre, castlebar, county Mayo. the second of this year’s two Makers fairs will be held at the Linenhall arts centre, castlebar on saturday, december 13th. the fair can accommodate twenty eight makers with a selection panel in place.the cost is € 50 and applications available now.

Contact: Alex Nicholson T: 087 6320705 E: alecman@eircom.net or

rathdown enterprise Board, the dalkey Winter fair will take place on the 14th, (opening night) 15th, 16th of november at dalkey castle & heritage centre. dun Laoghaire rathdown county enterprise Board are now seeking applications for the annual Winter fair. this rapidly developing retail fair is being held for the third year in the heart of dalkey village surrounded by top-end shops and galleries. the fact that this established exhibition centre is on street level, directly opposite the church and its parking area greatly assists in attracting visitors to the fair.

If you welcome new opportunities to exhibit and sell your work send in your application form for a stand today. For further information please contact: Suzanne May, Killeen House, The Summit, Howth, Dublin 13.

T: 01-8391630/ 087-2676650 E: suzannemay@killeenhouse.com

Irishtown Christmas Fair, Co. Mayo . While the date is still tBa…the Irishtown community centre, Irishtown, co.

Mayo, wll be running another craft fair…most likely the first or second saturday in december. the cost of a

21

table is € 20-25. Last year the venue filled up very fast, and even though the day was really horrendous weather wise, the turn out of serious shoppers was amazing!

Contact is Gayle, E: mcpurple2008@yahoo.co.u

SUPPLIERS

Beads and Bling . We supply a wide range of beads, haberdashery and millinery products including beads, buttons, findings, feathers, ribbon, semi-precious stone, stringing materials, sterling silver, swarovski crystal & pearl, tools & wire. please take as long as you like to browse our website at www.beadsandbling.com. You can buy on-line, order over the phone or pop into our store located at 5, Bedford Row, Temple Bar, Dublin 2. phone us at 353 1 6337814 or email info@beadsandbling.com.

Wholesale orders are welcome

Advertisements MISC ITEMS

FREE ART MATERIALS. a range of art materials available for free including boards, oil paints and brushes of various sizes. there are also framed and unframed paintings, size approx. 20 x 18 inches. dublin area. For more information interested parties should contact: T: 01 2887958

WOOD, FREE FOR COLLECTION IN CORK . apple and eucalyptus wood available, free for collection in cork city area. For more information please contact Liam Heaphy on: T: 021 4545388

Liquidation Sale of ceramics. (formerly fonn) to include: bowls, vases, lamps and figurines. Large volume all boxed and packed. selling at up to 90% discount on retail. sale takes place nov 7th, 8th and 9th at unit 8 Zone c, Mullingar Business park. Further information contact 087 9152823

Pottery Equipment For Sale. kilns - different sizes /clay cutters/press 10 - 40 ton/Jiggers /foot Wipers/6 station spraying Machine/extraction hood/plate Jiggers/terra cotta clay Irish Country pottery-Contact Sally 061 471033 or E: sally@irishcountrypottery.ie

Feltmakers Ireland have a fab new website visit: www.feltmakersireland.com.

Autumn Business Courses - Kilkenny County Enterprise Board (KCEB). kceB has a full range of courses available starting this autumn, including start Your own Business, sage accounting, time Management, costing your product, Writing a Business plan and many more. all courses are price subsidised, delivered in an easy to follow, practical manner and are run in convenient city centre venues at business friendly times. For further information on other seminars & events or to sign up for their e-newsletter please go to: www.kceb.ie E info@kceb.ie or T: 056 77 52662.

1st Year Birthday Celebration at Earthworks!!

The rain held off and w ine w as all that poured for Earthw orks ’ recent firs t birthday celebration during Kilkenny arts w eek.

Many customers and friends joined in as Earthworks’ three ceramic artists, Caroline Dolan, Karen Morgan and Oonagh Anderson blew out the candles on their first birthday cake for an evening of celebration.

In an exhibition to mark the occasion entitled ‘One Year On’ - three other talented artists were invited to show their work in Earthworks’ beautiful gallery located in the 17th century mill in Thomastown. Lorna Donlon displayed some of her designs in intricate collages, Joan Fitzgerald-Cahill’s paintings exuded energy and light with a vibrancy of colour and motion, while Heike Kahle’s baskets were very popular for their skill, scale and simple beauty.

Look out for the Earthworks Stall at the Poughjng Championships in Kilkenny 23rd-25th September and at the Craft Fair at the RDS in December. Earthworks is open 10:30 - 5:30, Tues - Sat at Grennan Watermill on the Waterford Road in Thomastown. t: 056 772 4714 e: earthworksceramicstudio@gmail.com.

Exhibition Snapshots - National Craft Gallery

22

Image of Longing at the National Craft Gallery

Brigitta Varadi with her work

adelle hickey with her work

sonya Landweer with her Laureate, carmen hijosa

peter fullop with his work

national craft gallery Manager, Vincent o'shea with Image of Longing curators, karel Betman and Martha haveman with ceo ccoI Ăšna parsons and chairman ccoI gerry Wycherly

ann Mulrooney with her Laureate, keith Wilson and his daughter

Ăšna parsons, Margaret Walsh & eva kelly

gillian freedman with her work

cora cummins with her Laureate Margaret reid

23

National Craft Gallery - News

Breaking Out Emerging Makers Exhibit at the National Craft Gallery Continued from page 24:

During the exhibition the Crafts Council of Ireland, in association with the Irish Arts Review, will name the winner of the inaugural Emerging Makers Award. This award which is accompanied by a prize worth €5000 is open to all artists who applied for Breaking Out. Breaking Out runs in the National Craft Gallery from the 18th to the 29th of October 2008, with the official opening on the 1st of November and a seminar taking place in the Parade Tower, Kilkenny Castle on the 27th of November.

Kilkenny Arts Festival Workshops at the National Craft Gallery The Crafts Council of Ireland (CCoI) was delighted to organise and facilitate workshops for 40 children as part of the Children's Programme of the Kilkenny Arts Festival. The children aged 4 - 6 years had a great time creating mini-me puppets in the inspiring surroundings of the ‘Image of Longing’ exhibition at the National Craft Gallery. This was the first year of CcoI's involvement as sponsor of the Kilkenny Arts Festival and we look forward to developing the growing partnership between the two organisations. kilkenny ar ts festival Workshop at the national craft gallery

Image of Longing It was one of the most emotionally charged openings to have taken place in the National Craft Gallery in recent times. When Image of Longing was unveiled on the first weekend of the Kilkenny Arts Festival, there was a sense of celebration, appreciation and also sadness for those not present.

This unique exhibition saw some of Ireland’s leading craftspeople make new work for those that have inspired them. They paid tribute, through the medium of beautifully considered craft, to a wide range of ‘laureates’ - fellow artists, tutors, teachers and religious figures. Some of the artists chose to honour close family members: Adelle Hickey made a piece for the Irish Kidney Association in honour of her father Joseph who died from kidney failure aged just 35. Geraldine Grubb’s laureate was her late grandmother, whom she never met as Geraldine’s father was given up for adoption.

What was most striking about the exhibition was how many of the artists chose to honour health organisations and voluntary groups, such as the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation, Lakelands Area Retreat & Cancer Centre and Gheel Autism Services. Most of these groups

travelled to Kilkenny for the opening and expressed genuine gratitude to have been honoured in this way.

attendance that they conceived the exhibition as a means of encouraging an interaction between the artist and their inspirator.

Following the opening, the artists and their laureates were invited to a celebratory dinner.

Image of Longing, which runs until October 5th, has proven to be a hugely popular exhibition. Visitors take their time wandering through the two gallery spaces that make up the National Craft Gallery, admiring the beautiful pieces and reading the very personal essays written by each of the artists. All of the pieces will be presented to the laureates at the end of this exhibition.

Explaining their curatorial approach, they also spoke of the difference between the first Image of Longing exhibition, which took place in their own gallery and the Irish show.

Martha said they were delighted with the response of the Irish artists but were very surprised at the strong emphasis they placed on the voluntary sector, a completely different reaction to the Dutch artists. Most artists participating in Image of Longing were in attendance for the talk, and many spoke about their work and answered questions from the audience.

The morning after the opening, with Kilkenny Arts Festival in full swing, the curators and artists gave a gallery talk. Karel Betman and Martha Haveman of Galerie Beeld & Aambeeld in the Netherlands told the large

Upcoming Exhibitions - National Craft Gallery

24

Breaking Out Emerging Makers Exhibit at the National Craft Gallery 18th October 2008 - 31st January 2009

The Crafts Council of Ireland’s flagship exhibition space will open its doors to some of our most promising young designer-makers, giving them the chance to ‘break out’ to a promising career in the craft industry.

RDS National Crafts Award Winners Exhibition National Craft Gallery, Kilkenny 4th October - 27th October 2008 The National Craft Gallery will open its doors to award-winning craftspeople on October 4th.

Prizewinners from the RDS National Crafts Competition 2008 will show their work in Ireland's foremost gallery of contemporary craft.

Newly trained craftspeople, recent graduates and career changers, what they all have in common is a dedication to design and fine craftsmanship. Following an open call for submissions throughout the country, curator Ann Mulrooney finally selected 30 designer-makers to participate in Breaking Out 2008.

The Crafts Council of Ireland is dedicated to supporting and nurturing emerging talent and this wonderful exhibition is an important platform for Ireland’s young makers.

Featuring some of the best designer-makers from a wide range of disciplines, this exhibition is a wonderful snapshot of contemporary craft practice in Ireland. Ceramics, glass, furniture, textiles, metalwork, felting and quilting, visitors to the gallery will see exceptional work from these categories and more.

The RDS National Crafts Competition is one of the highlights in the Irish Crafts industry calendar. It allows both professional and amateur craft designers to compete for prestigious awards in 21 different categories with its significant prize fund of €31,050.

Continued on page 23

for further information on the national craft gallery: T: 056 7761804 E: ncgpress@ccoi.ie W: www.ccoi.ie The National Craft Gallery 2008 opening times are: April - December: Monday - saturday 10am - 6pm, sunday 11am - 6pm

Celebrating its 40th birthday this year, the exhibition also marks the first year of the Crafts Council of Ireland’s involvement as key partner and sponsor of the National Craft Awards.

FOR NATIONAL CRAFT GALLERY NEWS TURN TO PAGE 23

About the Crafts Council of Ireland The Crafts Council of Ireland (CcoI) is the main champion of the craft industry in Ireland, fostering its growth and commercial strength, communicating its unique identity and stimulating quality, design, innovation and competitiveness. CCoI’s activities are funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment via Enterprise Ireland.

All notices and advertisements are published in Stopress for general information purposes only, at the risk of the advertiser and at the discretion of the Crafts Council of Ireland (CCoI). CCoI make no representations or warranties about any of the information contained in any notice or advertisement and accept no responsibility for the accuracy of any information contained in a notice or advertisement.

Advertisements in Stopress do not indicate endorsement by CCoI. It is the responsibility of the reader to check that goods and services are described fully and accurately.

CCoI expressly excludes liability for direct or indirect consequential

loss or damage which may arise in respect of Stopress or purchase of the goods and services. CCoI does not accept any responsibility for or necessarily endorse the views expressed by third party contributors to Stopress.

All copyright, database rights, trade mark design rights and any other intellectual property rights whatsoever in Stopress are, owned by and the property of CCoI. Crafts Council of Ireland, Castle Yard, Kilkenny t: 353 56 7761804 f: 353 56 7763754 e: info@ccoi.ie www.ccoi.ie

The copydate for the Nov/Dec issue of Stopress is 15th October 2008. Publication date is 16th November 2008.

Advertising in STOpRESS is free and is welcomed. Submissions for articles from craftspeople and those interested in craft are also always welcome. please contact: STOpRESS, Crafts Council of Ireland t: 056 7761804 e: stopress@ccoi.ie While every care has been taken in the compilation of this Stopress, the publisher cannot take responsibility for errors or ommisions.

newsletter design: dynamite

(Official Opening 1st November 2008)