We are very pleased to welcome Sarah Mooney Wiegersma to the Leitrim Design House on Friday 9th Dec. Please join us at 5.30pm to view a selection of Sarah’s absolutely stunning work. Sarah is a 2011 design graduate from the National College of Art and Design, Ireland where she specialised in ceramics

Her work draws inspiration from natural plant forms, specifically fractals in nature. Through the design process new plant forms are created. The use of vivid colour is also a prominent feature in Sarah’s art. Her work was very well received at her graduate show and can now be viewed in the following permanent collections:

• National University of Ireland, Permanent Collection,
• Collins Barracks, National Museum of Decorative Arts,
• Office of Public Works, Permanent Collection

She currently works from her studio in County Roscommon.

http://www.sarahwiegersma.com

The purpose of Design Week is to highlight the important contribution that good design makes to the cultural, economic and social life of Ireland by fostering a reputation for creative excellence and innovation. The week involves seminars, workshops, lectures, trails and exhibitions across the island of Ireland. For further information and to download the week booklet see: www.designweek.ie

Design Week 2011 in association with Crown Paints. A celebration of Irish & International Design

Leitrim based ceramicist Peter Fulop was commissioned by Leitrim County Council through the Leitrim Design House to design the prestigous inaugural Leitrim Arts and Culture Awards. The stunning ceramic pieces were presented at the Leitrim Arts and Culture Award Ceremony 2011 on Friday 29th April. The gala ceremony was held in the Bush Hotel and was a great celebration of the arts in Leitrim.

Peter Fulop is a ceramicist of great renown and his most recent acolade includes being selected by an International panel of judges for the Irish craft Portfolio 2011; a prestigious acolade afforded only to a select few in the Industry

Peter is a long standing member of Leitrim Design House and is a great example of the talented Craftsmen living in this County.

Love your Look was truly a great night out. On Wednesday 20th April Leitrim Design House joined with the Dock Arts Centre to offer top millinery, fashion and beauty tips followed by the award winning play Little Gem. The ladies in attendance had great fun trying on a fabulour colection of hats from Aishling Aherne, Wendy Knight and Edel Staunton. Caroline Murray, Mac make up artist was on hand to give top beauty tips and demonstrations and Mohill-based Eileen Abbott gave great fashion tips on re-styling.

Eileen Abbott creates bespoke bridal and special occasion wear. Having honed her craft by first observing her grandmother working at the kitchen table, Eileen now designs, make and hand-finishes all her garment in her studio.

Wendy Louise Knight designs and makes unique hats and headpieces for all occasions. Wendy presented her new collection on the evening. Specialising in one-off hand crafted designs ranging from theatrical pieces, small beaded and feather creations to full hats in a range of fabrics, she can create the perfect piece to suit any occasion.

Up and coming milliner Aisling Ahern from Boyle was also here showing her new collection of stylish hats and headpieces influenced by her studies in architecture. Milliner Edel Staunton travelled from Foxford to showcase her collection.

Leitrim Design House teamed up with Dock on the evening. The Dock hosted the multi award winning play Little Gem by Elaine Murphy. Starring Neili Conroy, Genevieve Hulme-Beaman and Fair City’s Anne Kent. The play was by turn funny and moving but always entertaining provoking tears both of laughter and sadness from sell out audiences in New York, London, Dublin and Paris, and at The Edinburgh Festival. It is just back from a major tour of Australia, winning the hearts of audiences and the admiration of critics.

By shopping at Leitrim Design House, you will find a treasure trove of unique affordable handmade gifts from under €10.00. There is no need to travel long distances to find something truly unique, find the perfect present, right on your doorstep. By supporting the makers and designers who work with Leitrim Design House you are helping small authentic Irish businesses in rural areas to survive. Contact the Leitrim Design House on 071 96 50550 or follow us on Facbook.com/The LeitrimDesignHouse

Be inspired and be entertained-a showcase of inspiring work-tempting ideas for the important people in your life. Come for the coffee and the chocolate -introducing exquisite Irish artisan chocolate and stay for the comedy later in the Dock. A great night out and a date for your diary! Lots of special offers in the gallery for one night only.

On Sunday October 31st 2010, Leitrim Design House will be hosting the Monster’s Ball Halloween Party. This Halloween celebration is suitable for the under twelves and forms part of an exciting series of events delivered over the past six months under the Leitrim Design House Raising Awareness of Different Cultures Programme. The Raising Awareness of Different Cultures project has been funded by the PEACE 111 Programme through the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund which is managed by the special EU Programmes Body. Come and revel in our scary storytelling session with Eileen O’Toole. Other delightful ghoulish activities include apple dunking, face painting, fancy dress to name a few. The grand finale will be a special parade down to the Shannon,where we will be float the fantastic lanterns made by the children who attended the le Cheile festival in August. These willow Lanterns will Sky lanterns will fill the sky. River lanterns will float on the water. Come and delight in devilish abandonment @ The Leitrim Design House….if you dare!!!

Tel 071 9650550 www.leitrimdesignhouse.ie

www.facebook.com/TheLeitrimDesignHouse

Leading contemporary fashion designer Una Burke showcased her stunning new collection at the Art of Fashion in the Leitrim Design House 2010. Una recently wowed crowds at both London and Paris Fashion Week and as winner of the Craft Council of Ireland Future Maker Award in 2009 is getting noticed by just about everyone. Una has just been commissioned by Lady Gaga to design an outfit for her next tour. Her collection has also featured in Vogue Italia.

Leitrim Design House is taking part in Cultural Weave 2 at the Island Arts Centre in Lisburn on the 21st October. This seminar is being organised in a partnership between Community Arts Forum, ArtsEkta, ISLAND Arts Centre, and Down Community Arts. The event is a follow on from 2009′s successful Cultural Weave conference. Women of the World from Enniskillen are joining us for the trip.

Cultural Weave 2 is a half day networking event (9.30am-1.30pm) aimed at those working in the field of minority ethnic arts including artists, community representatives, voluntary organisations, and statutory bodies. The event is open to delegates from across Northern Ireland and will be hosted by IIsland Arts Centre, in Lisburn.

Cultural Weave 2 will provide the opportunity to network and engage with others working in this area, as well as offering the chance to learn from best practice project examples, both local and from further afield. Geraldine Gray from Leitrim Design House will discuss how her organisation engaged with the minority ethnic community and Harminder Berman from Creative Scotland will explore forums for the minority ethnic community in Scotland.

The event will involve a choice of three discussion-led workshops on the following topics:

• Using the arts to engage with minority ethnic young people
• Involving the minority ethnic community in community festivals
• Local political and cultural sensitivities training for BME artists

For more information or to register attendance please contact Louise Smith, ISLAND Arts Centre on 028 9250 9509 or email louise@island.lisburn.gov.uk

Carrick-on-Shannon stained glass artist Colette Langan will be in residence at the Leitrim Design House on Saturday October 23rd between 2 and 4pm. Meet Colette and have a go at cutting glass and bending and cutting lead.

Colette will also have a selection of stained glass mirrors for sale on the day

The Art of Fashion is delivered under the Leitrim Design House Raising Awareness of Different Cultures Programme. This event forms part of an exciting series of Leitrim Design House events which have run over the past six months. Craft, design & art disciplines by their very nature allow people to explore each other’s culture, language and traditions. The Raising Awareness of Different Cultures project has been funded by the PEACE 111 Programme through the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund which is managed by the special EU Programmes Body.

The show will be held in the Dock Arts Centre, one of Leitrim’s most stylish venues. In collaboration with this year’s event The Leitrim Design House retail gallery will be transformed into a treasure trove of elegant garments, handbags, jewellery and accessories hand picked from collections by the most talented designer makers of 2010.

Produced by Eddie Shanahan, renowned fashion consultant, The Art of Fashion will bring the world of quality Irish Design to your doorstep. This show provides emerging designers with the opportunity to showcase their collections alongside seasoned virtuosos and established designers like Eilis Boyle, Heidi Higgins and Mia O’Connell.Ireland’s top models will present unique and original fashion talent from both North and South of the Border. This year the show will focus on raising awareness of different cultures through networking and invited guests from Northern Ireland will participate in this contemporary craft and cutting edge Irish fashion event.

The Art of Fashion will use the dynamic of a catwalk show to present an astonishing choice and point of difference from 25 of Irelands most innovative Designers .Showcasing fashion, jewellery, accessories, millinery and wearable art from names like Erika Marks, Brigitta Varadi, Anna-Marie St Clair and Ana Faye Designs.