The Art Of Fashion 2008
November 1st, 2008The Art of Fashion 2008 brings you the Luxury Collection
featuring the very best in Irish Craft and Design.
The Leitrim Design House brings you The Art of Fashion Show 2008. This not to be missed show takes place at 8pm on Tuesday November 11th in The Dock, Carrick-on- Shannon and promises to be a superb event for all those who are fashion conscious, interested in style or just love shopping. Doors open at 7 pm for a pre show reception.This years event is being held in aid of North West Hospice. In 2006 and 2007, renowned Irish fashion consultant Eddie Shanahan curated and produced special sell out shows for the Leitrim Design House, bringing elements of craft, jewellery, fashion and accessories together in a presentation described as unique, impactful and a wonderful show by the Sunday Independent. This contemporary fashion show has now become an annual event featuring contemporary creations from top Irish Designers and showcasing fresh new talent from the National College of Art and Design and Limerick School of Art and Design.This year we are very pleased to introduce The Enterprise Ireland Graduate Award.
Galway Mayo Institute of Technology Exhibition
at the Leitrim Design House
Bringing fresh new talent to the wider community is an integral part of the Leitrim Design House programme, having shown degree collections by students of the National College of Art and Design, Limerick School of Art, The University of Ulster and Sligo IT at the gallery in recent years.
To continue its support of younger artists the Leitrim Design House will host an exhibition of contemporary ceramics from the 28th of June to the 13th of July. This exhibition of new ceramics by the graduates of Galway Mayo Institute of Technology deals with a common theme “The human body”.
Chloe Dowds is one young artist from Derrywillow, Aughamore, Carrick-on-Shannon who recently completed her degree in Fine Art from GMIT. Her degree show collection deals with the themes of
the human body, human emotions and the differences between physical scars and emotional scars.
Chloe works through the medium of photography, drawing and ceramic work. Primary research for her ongoing collection was conducted with the use of macro photography. Chloe began studying
the human body leading to the creation of abstract landscapes.
“It was absorbing to see how abstracted and unrecognisable the human body and flesh
became when photographed under such magnification” says Chloe.
“This fed directly into my work in the ceramics studio, helping me to discover
interesting surface textures on the clay body”.
A collection of twelve ceramic sculptural works - from a series of twenty pieces by Chloe will be on display at the Leitrim Design House for the duration of the exhibition.
Raku fired sculptural work by Chloe Dowds, Aughamore, Carrick-on-Shannon
Caryl Tyson from County Galway also has local connections with Carrick-on-Shannon. Caryl is a niece of Josephine and John Mc Dwyer. Her delicate sculptural works are based on the fragility of the human body. Caryl’s pieces are almost thread like similar to the skeletal forms of organic matter. Her pieces convey a sense of the frailty of human life. Though her work she wishes to focus the viewers attention, to take time and reflect on the fact that
“We should embrace and cherish every moment and never forget there my not be another tomorrow”.
Earthenware paper pulp slip works by Caryl Tyson
Sinead O’Toole from Tullamore County Offaly exhibits her collection “Inner Organics”-The Organ. Through her work Sinead observes the organic world. The notion of transformation and metamorphic activity of organic matter has been the source of inspiration throughout her research. Little states of change within the living objects bearing a life-force that, presents surprising results for the artist. Sinead hopes that these new objects will produce a curiosity and tactility that is not always affiliated with organs and in doing so safely invite the viewer to consider issues surrounding their own lives and stresses that can shape our inner make-up.
Sinead O’Toole’s pieces from her degree show collection
Joe Westcott from Ballinrobe is interested in the human psyche. His ceramic pieces are inspired by research into different forms of depression present in today’s society, from S.A.D (seasonal affect disorder) through to Bi-polar disorder and people’s experience of them. His work combines both classical and contemporary styles reflecting historical and modern views on what was known as Melancholia.The torsos depict mental turmoils suppressed, but present in society today. His angel-like figures were initially inspired by the winged figure in Albrecht Durer’s “Melancholia 1″. By sending out questionnaires to people who have lived with various types of depression, Joe let their answers shape each figure in a slightly different way, thus creating a series of individually unique pieces. He named this series Pariah and numbered each piece accordingly. Each piece represents the voice of the people.
This exhibition will be opened on Saturday the 28th of June at 3pm by award winning ceramic artist, Peter Fulop. Peter will give a presentation on his ceramics which were inspired by recent residencies abroad and created in his Leitrim Studio. Peter will be exhibiting at the Hatfield National pottery and ceramics festival in the UK this summer. He has also been selected for SOFA a world renowned contemporary decorative Art Fair in Chicago which takes place in October
The Leitrim Design House has been at the forefront of cultural development in Leitrim for over ten years, it is widely recognised for a commitment to standards of excellence in art, craft and design
The Leitrim Design House retail gallery was established in 2000 by Leitrim County Enterprise Board. Now in their 8th year of business, it is seen as an innovative centre of excellence providing the ideal platform for recent graduates and fledgling creative businesses to achieve economic growth through product and business development. Providing support through sales, exhibitions, events and marketing opportunities for over 260 designers and makers. The Leitrim Design House was noted, in the Sunday Independent “as a vehicle for the renaissance of the Irish Craft Industry”.
For further information please contact the Leitrim Design House on 071 96 50550 or email info@leitrimdesignhouse.ie.
PROFESSIONAL MAKE UP WORKSHOPS
AT THE LEITRIM DESIGN HOUSE
JUNE 28TH 2008
Morning Workshop - 10.30 am TO 1.30 pm
Afternoon workshop - 2.30pm to 6pm
The Leitrim Design House invites you to their Professional Make-up Master Class presented by Amanda McCarthy, one of the industries best celebrated and highly respected Make-Up Artists, to review her work and share her experiences, learning the latest in products, trends and techniques.
Amanda has been a Professional Make-up Artist for the last 14 years and works regularly as a Senior Make-Up artist on various Fashion Awards and Shows e.g. MTV Music Awards and Brown Thomas Fashions Awards. She also works for film and TV e.g. Saving Private Ryan and Dancing as Lughnasa.
She has a Diploma in Make-up and Special Effects for Film, Fashion and T.V. in Dun Laoghaire College of Art and Design and hosts various Wedding Seminars Nationwide. Most recently she was a Senior Make-up Artist working on The Harvey Nichols Seasonal Key Trends for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, which show cased on Xpose for TV3.
Amanda’s Workshop delivers a full group Professional Make-Up Master Class which brings you up to date on the this years must have products and Make-up Looks and you will become involved in Amanda’s creative make-up process and passion for the visual, creating looks that complement day and night.
The programme offers you an opportunity to learn and interact in the teaching of Make-Up, which covers a wide range of topics. And the result will be a one to one personalised Make-Up Look, Face Chart for Reference and a take-away complementary Brush set.
Workshop fee: 60.00 euroFor further information please contact the:
Leitrim Design House on 071 96 50550or email info@leitrimdesignhouse.ie
The Leitrim Design House, The Dock, Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim
LEARN TO MAKE UNIQUE SUMMER HEAD PIECES AT THE LEITRIM DESIGN HOUSE
What do you get when you combine colourful straws and silks, exotic plumes, crinoline, dazzling beads with a splash of glamour? The answer is breathtaking hats. The current Renaissance in the craft of hat making gives inspiration to all of us to produce the ultimate accessory.
A special one day workshop in the art of millinery will take place on June 14th between 11am and 4pm at the Leitrim Design House.
Create your own headpiece for summer celebrations with milliner Wendy Knight of Wendy Louise Designs.
Wendy is one of ten outstanding Irish designers that make up RED THREAD APPLIED applied art and design - RED THREAD is a new cooperative body established to promote the work and interests of a group of Irish Designers, makers and applied artists brought together under the Leitrim Design House Art of Fashion and Business development programmes.
An exhibition of fashion and knitwear, textiles, jewellery and accessories by unique designers from Leitrim, Sligo, Donegal, Dublin and Longford runs at the Leitrim Design House until the 22nd of June.
Wendy Louise Design.
Wendy Knight of Wendy Louise Designs offers unique designed handcrafted headwear and accessories to suit all occasions. Hand blocked hats, feather, beaded and fabric headpieces, evening bags and bridal headpieces all in sumptuous fabrics. Wendy originally from Oxford in England is passionate about hats. It’s in the blood, as her grandfather was a milliner and owned his own hat factory in Luton Bedfordshire, the home of the hat making industry. Wendy has always had a flare for fashion, her father was a photographer and she herself studied fashion and photography at college in the UK. Now settled in Ireland she works from her studio at home in the midlands.
This workshop is open to anyone who wants to learn the basic techniques used in the wonderful art of millinery. We will be using traditional materials such as sinamay and wire. The aim is to create a unique headpiece or hat using the skills you have acquired during the course. Early booking is advised. The fee for this workshop including materials costs is 80.00 euro. Refreshments included.
What out for exciting news on a hat extravaganza by the Leitrim Design House in the near future….
For further information and bookings contact the Leitrim Design House on 071 96 50533 or email info@leitrimdesignhouse.ie
WORKSHOP IN JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINTMAKING WITH DEBRA BOWDEN
JUNE 21ST - 11AM TO 5PM
AT THE LEITRIM DESIGN HOUSE, THE DOCK, CARRICK-ON-SHANNON
JUNE 21ST - 11AM TO 5PM
AT THE LEITRIM DESIGN HOUSE, THE DOCK, CARRICK-ON-SHANNON
The Leitrim Design House will host a day-long workshop in Japanese woodblock printmaking on June 21st, 11am to 5pm at the Dock, in Carrick-on-Shannon. This workshop is designed to incorporate the basics of the art form of Japanese Woodblock printmaking. Debra Bowden is an artist / printmaker based in Thomastown, County Kilkenny.
Her work is a combination of Japanese woodblock prints and paintings on carved and scorched plywood blocks. In 2006 she was awarded a six week Artist-in-Residency in Japanese Woodblock Printmaking on Awaji Island, Japan. She was one of seven international artists to be selected and the first ever from Ireland where she was taught skills by Japanese master printmakers, skills that are still being used today in Kyoto and Tokyo. A large focus of Debra’s training in Japan was in the dissemination of the skills she has acquired. Prior to the course she taught Japanese woodblock printmaking in Grennan Mill Craft School, Thomastown; Kozo Studio and Gallery, Thomastown and the National Print Museum, Dublin.
and included in the price in this unique workshop.
Japanese woodblock printmaking is an ancient technique that dates back to the 8th century. It is completely hand produced and water based, requires no printing press and the minimum of specialised equipment, thus providing an environmentally friendly and easily transportable process.
The masters on Awaji were passionate about their ancient tradition and their main objective in running this programme was that their skills would reach a wider audience. With that in mind, Debra feels it is extremely important for her to spread their knowledge in the hope that this ancient tradition stays alive.
The fee for this one day workshop is 90.00 euro
Maximum 8 people per workshop.
Early booking essential
For further information please contact the Leitrim Design House on 071 96 50533 or
email info@leitrimdesignhouse.ie
The Leitrim Design House will host a series of exhibitions by the designers and makers of “Into Leitrim” throughout the Summer.
“In The Garden” - May 16th to June 16th 2008 is the first collaborative exhibition between two of Leitrim’s most outstanding wood turners Niall Millar and Roy Humphreys. Both makers are working in wood but with differing designs and products. Both highlight the beauty and diverse uses of wood, bringing age-old crafts into the twenty-first century.
Their brand new collection of hand-crafted garden and household produce come from the forests of County Leitrim. “In the Garden” features a range of items for the home and garden, some traditional, some modern, from potato mashers, honey spoons, and coffee scoops to hay rakes and shoe scrapers.
Bird feeders, seed dibbers and beautifully handcrafted baby rattles are carved and turned from small native timbers found in South Leitrim. Each piece, from bog oak bowls to garden tools are treated by hand with natural oils to show the true beauty of the diverse woods used.
The Leitrim Design House offers you the opportunity to purchase gifts that reflect on the natural beauty of our landscape and local heritage. Ethical purchasing is increasing as awareness of environmental impact grows. “In the Garden” aims to emphasis the vocation of the woodworkers who encourage, maintain and often revive artistic and technical skills native to our area.
Some of the events taking place at the Leitrim Design House in May as part of “In the Garden” are:
A DEMONSTRATION OF GREEN WOODWORKING: Thursday 22nd May 12.30-1.30
Showing the use of a pole-lathe, shaving horse and other hand tools. The pole-lathe is an apparatus for turning freshly-cut (green) wood into useful items with a chisel and a foot. The shaving horse is used to hold wood for shaping with a draw-knife.
KIDS WOOD WORLD: Saturday 17th May Time: 11am-4pm
Come along to learn in a fun way about different types of local wood and their uses. Play with wooden toys, try your hand and leg at the pole-lathe (9-99yrs), make a wooden toy like cars, figures (dog, cat), planes, all done with the use of your imagination and not one drop of electricity.
All events are free and everyone is welcome along.
Into Leitrim is a guide to the Artists and Craftworkers of Leitrim. This online craft trail is a unique opportunity to see the artists at work in their studio; to hear their stories and to share something of the process involved in producing each piece of craft. Viewer’s will see exclusive designs produced in an environmentally-responsible way and experience the authenticity of the product. Together with our 2008 series of exhibitions, the website and its accompanying book take the visitor on a virtual journey into the workshops of the artists and craft-workers.
As well as the growing consumer demand for high-quality artisan products, there is an increased interest in both the person and story behind the product, and a need to understand and enjoy the energy and care that has gone into its making. “Into Leitrim” enables the widest of audiences, through the accessibility of the internet, to engage with the culture and creativity of County Leitrim as part of the Green box area.
These events are sponsored by the Leitrim Design House “Opportunities through skills programme” supported through Border Action through the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation 2005-2008.
For further information please contact us on 071 96 50550/50533.
www.leitrimdesignhouse.ie
at the Leitrim Design House .
On Thursday the 8th of May the Leitrim Design House will present an exhibition of drawings created by the WILL/WAVE Partnership. Women from Leitrim (WILL - Women Living Independently in Leitrim) and Fermanagh (WAVE - Women Making WAVES) have come together to creatively engage with the self-image of women with and without disabilities in a cultural and artistic context, building on the Peace and Reconciliation process.
To accompany the exhibition Kathy O’Leary a member of the Leitrim Design House and facilitator with the WILL/WAVE Partnership will present a workshop around the theme of “Identity and Women”, “Shared Spaces and experiences”. Kathy will endevour to address the issues facing women with disabilities through the artwork of surrealist painter Frida Kahlo.
Frida Kahlo (1907-1954), one of the most influential Mexican painters of the middle twentieth century. From 1926 until her death, the painter created striking, often shocking, images that reflected her turbulent life. She did not originally plan to become an artist. A polio survivor, at 15 Kahlo entered the premedical program at the National Preparatory School in Mexico City. However, this training ended three years later when Kahlo was gravely hurt in a bus accident.
The day long workshop and exhibition at the Leitrim Design House aims to develop positive relationships between the participants North and South of the border by focusing on the shared experiences of women with and without disabilities.
“The Partnership is ready to open up to the public having built up relationships through Art and Drama. They would like to work on the theme of shared spaces/experiences and the event at the Leitrim Design House is a building block for this work” says Kathy.
A presentation on the life and work of the artist will be followed by a self portrait drawing workshop.
A viewing of the academy awarding winning film FRIDA will take place in the afternoon at Carrick Cineplex. The artwork made during the workshop will be exhibited with a body of work recently made by the women from the Partnership.
As part of the workshop the group will also look at the work of Scottish Artist Chrissie Orr As a practising artist for the past thirty years her focus has been on producing work for and with communities. Her work is based on the premise that the artist, when directly involved with the community, can address complex issues and bring people together in a shared experience. It is her belief that art can transcend politics, cultural barriers and socio-economics.
Her project in Arizona worked with Native American and Hispanic Youth from treatment Centres to create a safe space for Youth in trouble. These adolescence were suffering from alienation of their ancestors and had turned to gangs and killing each other through conflict. Through working with these Youth she uses photography to raise issues of Peace and the Peace Process and the concept of what Peace meant to them.
The artwork made during the workshop will be exhibited along with a body of work recently made by the women from the WILL/WAVE partnership. This exhibition “Identity and Women” will be shown at the Leitrim Design House as an installation on panels similar to the projects developed by Chrissie Orr. The idea to expand and travel the exhibition to other public venues in the region.
This exhibition will be shown at the Leitrim Design House from the 8th to the 22nd of May. The WILL/WAVE Partnership is funded through the Leitrim County Councils Task Force.
The Leitrim Design House aims to engage with the wider community through organised events and activities to accompany its lively exhibitions programme. If you are interested in getting together to creatively engage with other women and explore the self-image of women with and without disabilities in a cultural and artistic context please contact the Leitrim Design House on 071 96 50533.
This day long workshop will take place on the 8th of May 11am to 5.30pm. Admission is free please book early to confirm your place.
Experience stunning Irish Craft at Bloom 2008 - the Garden Show
Visit Leitrim Design House at Bloom - meet our talented craftspeople - see the work, find out the inspirations, hear the stories behind these unique and beautiful pieces, and experience the fun of making.
An exciting addition to Bloom 2008 is the new Craft Trail - offering visitors a chance to live the craft experience. Follow the craft trail at Bloom; see and enjoy;
- Large-scale pieces of hand-made craft from some of Ireland’s most talented designer-makers
- Demonstrations, in a variety of skills and disciplines, from some of the countries most talented
craftspeople - and have a go yourself
- Crafted Design - a select area where you can browse and purchase a wide variety of products
from over 20 of the Irish craft world’s most talented makers.
The craft trail has something for all ages - whether you want to wonder at the inspiration that influenced the one-off pieces, or you’d like to try your hand at a craft you’ve always liked, or even if you are just curious to see what’s involved in crafting a piece - the opportunities are all there at Bloom.
And of course if you want to bring home a piece, treat yourself or a friend, buy for the house or the garden - the choice of beautifully design, hand crafted items is sure to tempt and delight you.
10th March 2008
Eileen Abbott - 2007 Art of Fashion
Introducing RED THREAD
I am looking forward to our RED THREAD event in Sligo in a couple of weeks. Its really exciting, our very own red carpet event! I am busy organizing the press release for same and about to put together a gown that I designed specially for the event using the RED THREAD theme. It’s tight going as all has to be complete by the weekend. The more pressure the more creativity flows!!! Bring it on….
Eileen Abbott
Couture Designer
Mohill, Co Leitrim
RED THREAD - Design & Applied Art is a new co-operative body established to promote the work and interests of a group of designers, artists and craftspeople who were brought together under the Leitrim Design House’s Art of Fashion and Business Development programmes. Here are some of the RED THREAD designers and makers at the launch of the Leitrim Design House - “Art of Fashion”
Left to right:
Michelle McCarroll, Eileen Abbott, Wendy Knight, Renate Regan and Aistrid Tomropp Hoffman