Launch of new Craft Fair at Galway City Museum

On Saturday 11th December, Groundworks Studios' 1st birthday coincided with the launch of the new Craft Fair at the Galway City Museum. James Harrold, who officially launched Groundworks Studios one year ago, was present at the Museum to celebrate this new collaboration with Martin Crosbie. A crowd gathered for mulled wine, coffee, mince-pies and some Christmas gift shopping.

Below are some of the photographs taken by Mairead Cunningham at the launch event.

Launch of new craft space at Galway City Museum, showcasing the work of members of Groundworks Studios

Groundworks Studios will celbrate their 1st birthday with the launch of a new craft space at the Galway City Museum, selling a selection of beautiful products designed and created in Mervue.

Martin Crosbie had been looking around the country for work to sell in the museum and was delighted when introduced to Groundworks Studios, not having realised that such talent existed on his doorstep. Martin now looks forward to collaborating with Groundworks Studios to continue to provide the museum with quality craft and design products.

Come and meet the makers at the Galway City Museum on Saturday 11th December from 3 until 6pm and help to celebrate the first birthday of Groundworks Studios with the official opening of this craft space by Galway City Arts Officer, James Harold.

The first year has brought many successes for the group.
 Following an exciting launch exhibition at Groundworks Studios in December 2010, the group quickly transformed the space to accommodate 15 full time studio members.
 Further fund-raising secured shared equipment such as a kiln, textile-printing equipment, studio furniture, etc.
 “Random Shuffle”, an exhibition of textile, ceramic and mixed media artwork took place in an unoccupied retail space in Abbeygate Street in July.
 Participation in Heritage Week with “Open Week’ at the Studios.
 A series of workshops in ceramics, textiles and creativity was launched in September, which brought members of the public into Groundworks Studios to learn new skills. For further information on ongoing workshops contact Emer on 087 4172029.
 Participation in Galway Culture Night in collaboration with other artists at Niland House Gallery, Merchants Road.
 In October, Groundworks Studios participated in the SCCUL Enterprise Awards at the Ballybane Enterprise Centre. Here the group’s display of work attracted a lot of admiring attention.
 In November the group launched “Open Studio” every Thursday from 12 until 6pm until December 16th.
 Individuals within the group have also been involved in the Crafts Council of Ireland’s Future Makers and CraftEd Programmes, Showcase Ireland, features in magazines such as House and Home and Galway Now, interviews on Galway Bay FM and involvement in other group exhibitions at home and abroad.

You can follow the group’s activities on Facebook or at www.groundworksstudios.com. If you would like to support the group in its future plans please contact Emer on 087 4172029 to become a 'Friend of Groundworks Studios'

Crafting your future: Seminar at Limerick School of Art and Design on Friday 3rd December

A one-day seminar, aimed at third level students of Craft and Design, on the subject of mapping career pathways and professional development opportunities with Ireland's Future Makers, takes place at Limerick School of Art and Design on Friday 3rd December, 2010.
Groundworks Studios Chairperson, Emer Hughes is one of the speakers at this event and will give a talk on Groundworks Studios' experience in making it in business.
For more information on the Crafts Council of Ireland's 'Future Makers' programme see http://www.ccoi.ie/.

Studio Open Days on Thursdays 12-6pm until 16th December

Today, and every Thursday until the 16th of December, Groundworks Studios opens its doors to provide an opportunity to meet the makers and to purchase unique ceramics, textiles, fine art, jewellery, fashion and interior products.

The following photos show a small selection of the work on offer.

Roisin Gregory: Ceramic Artist

Groundworks Studios member Roisin Gregory creates a wonderful selection of ceramic pieces.

Roisin's dishes and night lights have inlaid textured detail inspired by the marine.

She has also started a range of mushrooms with this vibrant surface design.

The following photographs show just some of her beautiful work.

Olga Tiernan features in 'House and Home' Magazine's Top Ten

Congratulations to Olga Tiernan who is in 'House and Home' Magazine's top 10 products this month. Her screen-printed cushions are available through the Irish Design Shop. See http://www.irishdesignshop.com/ and http://www.grafikfabrik.ie/ for more information.

Vivienne Martin and Lisa Ryder selected to participate in Adornment Project

Digitally printed scarf on Habotai silk by Lisa Ryder. (photo by Ludovic Des Cognets)

Neckpiece by Vivienne Martin

Groundworks members Vivienne Martin and Lisa Ryder were selected to participate in the Adornment Project by photographer Agata Stoinska and Fashion Consultant Eddie Shanahan. The final selections will be published soon in a calendar and further information on this will be available here soon.

Vivienne Martin features at Sieraad, International Jewellery Art Fair in Amsterdam

Vivienne Martin has been invited to showcase her work along with jewellery designers Eily O'Connell of Workhouse Studios, Sabrina Meynes and Julie Connellan at Sieraad Jewellery Art Fair in Amsterdam in November. For more information see http://www.sieraadartfair.com/.

Lisa Ryder and Olga Tiernan feature in Design Tree Exhibition at Moxie Studios

Groundworks Studios members Lisa Ryder and Olga Tiernan feature in an extensive exhibition of Craft and Furniture 'Design Tree' hosted by Irish Design Shop at Moxie Studios from November 3rd to 7th, 2010. For further information visit www.designtreedublin.blogspot.com

Groundworks Studios enter SCCUL Entrepreneur of the Year Awards

The SCCUL Entrepreneur of the Year Award is a new initiative run by SCCUL Enterprises Ltd, aided by Ballybane Enterprise Centre, St. Columba's Credit Union and Galway City Council. The aim of the award is to encourage local entrepreneurship by identifying high potential entrepreneurs and helping them to accelerate their plans. With an award fund of 25,000 Euro across all categories of entreprise it is exciting for Groundworks Studios to participate and showcase their work in the community. The photo above shows a selection of members work displayed at Ballybane Enterprise Centre which provided the group with an opportunity to meet members of the community and network with other local businesses.

Vivienne Martin features at Pebbles Jewellery Gallery, Edinburgh

Groundworks member Vivienne Martin is invited to showcase her work in the Designer Jewellery Fashion Show in aid of Scottish Women's Aid at Pebbles Jewellery Gallery in Edinburgh. For additional images of Vivienne's work see www.risecreatives.com/viviennemartin. For more information about Pebbles Jewellery Gallery see http://www.pebblesjewellery.co.uk/.

Galway Culture Night

Culture night is happening in Galway this Friday, September 24th with over 30 venues taking part across the city.

GroundWorks Studios are delighted to take part with work from its members showing at Niland House, Merchants Road. Other exhibitions include G126 Gallery, Queen Street and Engage Art Studios on Abbeygate St.

For a full list of all the events visit www.galwayculturenight.com as it is constantly being updated.

Sign up for workshops at GroundWorks Studios

Classes and workshops will start at GroundWorks Studios on 4th October, 2010. These are part-time 6-week courses in the mornings (10.00-12.30) or evenings (6.30-9.00). The cost is Euro 150.

Ceramics: Monday morning/evening
1a. Techniques in pottery & ceramic art, all levels.
1b. Fired earth- hand-building techniques from around the world explored through clay.

Framed Weaving: Tuesday morning
Textile Printing: Tuesday evening

Patchwork for Beginners: Wednesday morning
Feltmaking: Wednesday evening

Creative Hand Embroidery: Thursday morning
Creative Machine Embroidery: Thursday evening

Creative Journalling: Friday morning

Payment of a registration fee is the only means of securing a place on a course. Enrolment on a "first come, first serve" basis. Places are limited.

For further information on course details and registration form contact Emer at groundworksstudios@gmail.com, Lyrr Building, 3 Mervue Business Park, Galway.

Heritage Week activities at GroundWorks Studios

As part of Heritage Week, GroundWorks Studios will open its doors to the public to participate in a wide range of workshops from 21st to 29th August. For full details on thes open studio events please click here www.heritageweek.ie/en/HomeSearchDetails.aspx?EventID=4701

Galway Advertiser Article on "Random Shuffle" exhibition

Photo: Textiles by Serena O'Neill

Galway Advertiser featured an article about "Random Shuffle" an exhibition of work by GroundWorks Studios at no. 8 Abbeygate St., Galway. To read more see www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/29404

Galway Independent article on GroundWorks Studios

Galway Independent featured an article on "Random Shuffle" an exhibition of work by GroundWorks Studios at no. 8 Abbeygate St., Galway. To read more see www.galwayindependent.com/entertainment/entertainment/retail-space-transformed-into-gallery/

Opening of "Random Shuffle" with Galway Arts Officer, James Harold

Last night's opening of "Random Shuffle" was a great success at 8, Abbeygate Street, Galway. Here are some photographs of those attending the celebrations.

"Random Shuffle" an exhibition of work by members of GroundWorks Studios

"Random Shuffle", an exhibition of work by members of GroundWorks Studios was opened by James Harold, Galway Arts Officer, on Friday 23rd July in Abbeygate Street. The exhibition will continue until August 8th at this city-centre location to coincide with Galway Arts Festival and the Galway Racing Festival.