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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

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