Education, Awards and Curation
Education:
Foundation Diploma in Art and Design at West Dean College, England. 2015.
Certificate with Distinction in Creative Textiles and Entrepreneurship, NUI Galway at St. Angela’s College, Sligo. 2011.
Three University Certificates with distinction from The Queen’s University of Belfast.
Master of Social Science, The Queen’s University of Belfast. 2001.
Doctor of Philosophy, The Queen’s University of Belfast. 1997.
Bachelor of Science (Hons), The Queen’s University of Belfast. 1992.
Training:
1997-2008
I completed over 70 courses in management, health and safety, strategic planning, marketing, budgeting, curation, risk assessment, design, conservation, working with young people, legislation, creating educational material, policy writing, just to name a few. These courses were provided by the Northern Ireland Museum Council, the IPA and Heritage Councils.
2020
Invited Advanced Practitioner Enamelling Closed Workshop, West dean College, England
2016
Japanese Mokuhanga woodcut training residency at MI-LAB, Japan
2015
Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, West Dean College, England
Copper Enamelling. Pat Johnson. West Dean College, England
2014
Icon Writing. Peter Murphy. Canterbury, England.
Wood Engraving. Chris Daunt. West Dean College, England
Copper Enamelling. Pat Johnson. West Dean College, England.
2013
Wood Engraving. Harry Brockway. West Dean College, England
Japanese Print Making. Rebecca Salter. West Dean College, England.
Etching Course. Robert Russell. Graphic Studio Dublin
Enrolled for the Foundation Diploma in Art and Design at West Dean College, England.
Advanced Practitioner Printmaking Course. Merlyn Chesterman and Rod Nelson. West Dean College, England
2012
Black and White Sketch Book Course. Maxine Relton. West Dean College, England.
Woodcut and Watercolour Course. Merlyn Chesterman and Rod Nelson. West Dean College, England.
Etching Workshop using photopolymer techniques. Limerick Printmakers Studio
Photopolymer Printmaking Course. Robert Russell Graphic Studio Dublin.
2011
Certificate in Creative Textiles and Entrepreneurship course with Distinction, NUI Galway taught at St. Angela’s College, Sligo
Wood Engraving Course. Kate Dicker. West Dean College, England
2010
Woodcut Printmaking. Chris Daunt. Horsley Printmakers Studio, England
Linocuts Summer School. Carol Nunan, Mandy Pattullo. Horsley Printmakers Studio, England
Masterclass in Contemporary Printmaking. Pete Williams. Leitrim Sculpture Centre
Awards & Residencies:
2020
Roscommon Visual Artist’s Award by Roscommon County Council
2019
Roscommon Visual Artist’s Award by Roscommon County Council
Residency with AJ Wells, Enamel factory, Isle of Wight
Individual Artists Bursary from Roscommon County Council
Artist in Residency at Northlight Gallery, Orkney
Tyrone Guthrie Artist Residency Bursary awarded by Roscommon County Council
2018
Awarded Highly Commended by the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists
Individual Artists Bursary from Roscommon County Council
2017
Tyrone Guthrie Artist Residency Bursary awarded by Roscommon County Council
2016
Awarded a six week artist residency in Japan (April and May)
Artist Bursary awarded by Leitrim Arts Department
Commendation, awarded by Boyle Arts festival
2015
Valerie Earley Residency Award, Visual Artists Ireland
Tyrone Guthrie Artist Residency Bursary awarded by Roscommon County Council
Artist in Residency at the Dock Gallery, Carrick-on-Shannon
Awarded Artist Residency at the Cill Rialaig
2014-15
Artist in Residency, King House, awarded by Roscommon County Council
Individual Artists Bursary from Roscommon County Council
2013
Residency at the Cill Rialaig Retreat
Tyrone Guthrie Artist Residency Bursary awarded by Roscommon County Council
Individual Artists Bursary awarded by Roscommon County Council
Membership of the Graphic Studio Dublin (to the present)
2012
Commendation, Dock Open Exhibition, Carrick-on-Shannon
Individual Artists Bursary awarded by Roscommon County
Tyrone Guthrie Artist Residency Bursary awarded by Roscommon County Council
2011
Individual Artists Bursary awarded by Roscommon County Council
Curation and Work:
I trained as an archaeologist specialising in the architecture of medieval churches, particularly the Cistercian and Friary buildings of Connacht. In my career I have been a teaching assistant, archaeological excavator, site supervisor and laboratory technician at Queen’s University Belfast, a guest lecturer, and a museum assistant and a curator at two museums and now I am a full-time artist. I have twenty years curatorial experience of multiple exhibitions across different media and disciplines. I managed the Craigavon Museum Services and Mayo County Museum for twelve years and then during a period as carer for my father I returned to my main love, my artwork.
I have given demonstrations of wood engraving and various printmaking techniques and gallery lectures associated with my art practice. I have been an advisor for the Boyle Arts Festival, managing the coordination, delivery, hanging, promotion of this event for five years with up to 150 artists per year.
Professional Affiliations and Memberships:
I am a curatorial advisor to the Boyle Arts Festival Committee
Member of the Graphic Studio Dublin
Professional member of Visual Artists Ireland
Member of the Wood Engravers Network
Subscriber member of the Society of Wood Engravers
Member of the British Society of Enamellers, UK
Member of the Enamellist Society, USA