Fun Events for Kids & Adults at The National Craft Gallery

Beautiful work by Nuala Jamison at a past gallery exhibit

The National Craft Gallery in Kilkenny is a fantastic place to see gorgeous craft for free, and they also have free events. Here are e upcoming ones from their newsletter. Apologies that I haven't time to write a proper post on the events, but I'll pass on what they've sent me. I think I may borrow a child so I can do the Tin -Can Treasures. Luckily we adults can do Hand To The Wheel without having to source a child as an excuse!

FAMILY DAY: Tin-Can Treasures April's Family Day is guaranteed to be a noisy one! TIN-CAN TREASURES with Carrie Lynam is a workshop inspired by the metal objects in our exhibition Paradigm. Young makers will explore surface design and create textures on metal.This workshop is suitable for 5 to 12 years of age but all the family are welcome to stay and join in. Free workshop, book early to save disappointment. Book now or call: 056 7796151 Sat 13th April, 10.30am ( 5-7yrs old ) & 12noon ( 8-12yrs old )

LATE DATE Hand to the Wheel Have you ever wanted to 'have a go' on a pottery wheel? What is it about throwing pots that captures people's imaginations? Join us at the National Craft Gallery for an informal evening of clay experimentation for beginners with a glass of wine, you may never look at a ceramic pot the same again! The Late Dates are an ideal place to meet friends or make new ones, see our exhibitions and chat with like minded people and gallery staff. Thurs 25th April, 6.30pm No booking required. FAMILY DAY Clay Creations

Our exhibition Views on Clay is the inspiration for our CLAY CREATIONSworkshop with ceramist Ciara O'Sullivan. For a fun clay workshop inspired by our Finnish exhibition that all the family can take part in join us on the second Saturday of the month. Suitable for 5 to 12 years of age but all the family are welcome to stay and join in.   Book now or call: 056 7796151 Sat 11th May 10.30am (5-7 yrs old) & 12noon (8-12yrs old)

For more on the National Craft Gallery of Ireland, and to sign up to their newsletter, visit their site here.

Forget the Guinness- wear a potato for St. Patrick's Day!

Earth Apple Jewellery, by Jane Way

Are you ready to enjoy something different, fun, & beautiful? I thought this was perfect to share with you, especially for St. Patrick's Day. Look at this-- jewelry handmade from potatoes! :-)

 I'll let Jane tell you the story:

How exciting to be asked by Susan to write a post about my potato jewellery, just in time for St.Patrick’s Day. Yes you heard right – my Earth Apple Jewellery is hand made from potatoes! And as Susan said, one of the first things people associate with Ireland is potatoes. 

 Dorrigo, New South Wales, Australia, by Jane Way

I grew up on a farm in Lincolnshire, England, where my Dad grew potatoes. I married an Aussie and came to Dorrigo, in New South Wales, half way between Sydney and Brisbane. Dorrigo is a great spud growing region with a lovely climate, plenty of rain (too much recently!) and wonderful red volcanic soil. You’ll see from the photo that this area has many similarities with Ireland. 

So guess what? That’s right, we grew potatoes! Years went by and my love of the potato extended to crafts like potato printing. Then lo and behold I found on the internet (where else?) that you could make beads from potatoes. A craft where I could unleash my creativity and use my beloved potatoes…. I was hooked! 

Lewins Honeyeater on Watarah , Jane Way

Take a look at my blog Earth Apple Jane, to see some more of the pieces I have made, or to see some of the things that inspire my jewellery, and I think you will agree that it is quirky, fun and unique. It is also light weight, easy to wear and eco-friendly. I now use local organically grown potatoes. I sell sometimes at the local market and shops, and I have an online shop. 

I should explain that the name Earth Apple is taken from the French for potato, pomme de terre or literally “apple of the earth”. Similarly in Dutch it is aardappel. I see the Irish call them praties, purdies and pirries. But I think I’ll still stick with the name Earth Apple! 

Jane Way's Earth Apple Potato Jewelery

Making the beads is a slow process as the pieces of potato have to be completely dried and then sealed, painted and decorated (this is the part I enjoy the most!) sealed again and then made into earrings, pendants and necklaces. I sometimes use leaf prints or feathers etc, to embellish my pendants. It’s fun and I love using serendipitous finds from my walks to enhance my jewellery. 

You never know what shape the pieces will end up, so that always adds an element of surprise. The character of the bead then influences the final design. So do the textures and colours of the natural world around me, the birds, mountains, rainforest…….I could go on and on! 

I really enjoy turning the humble spud into a beautiful piece of jewellery for someone to wear and treasure. 

Reversible potato necklace, Jane Way

Thank you Susan for giving me this opportunity to talk to your readers. 

Have a wonderful Paddy’s Day Susan, and everyone!

Thank you, Jane! I love your unique jewelry, and its international 'flavor'  :-) 

Everyone, be sure to read Jane's blog- there are more lovely photos of nature in Australia there, as well as of jewelry!

 You can get in touch with Jane through her shop, her blog or by email : earthapplejewellery@gmail.com

And of course there is always Face Book and Twitter ! 

Earth Apple potato earrings by Jane Way

Happy St Patrick's Day, everyone!

Forget the Guinness- 

eat a potato & wear one, too! 

If you's like to see our village's parades, click here and also here. 

Happy Paddy's Day! 

Utensil- some pieces bite back! At Kilkenny Craft Gallery

By Jennifer Slattery,  at Utensil

There's a lot to enjoy at Utensil, the current exhibition at The National Craft Gallery in Kilkenny. There are items you'd love to have on your own table, as well as ones that look like they might bite you back as you ate! The pieces mirror the experiences we have at the dinner table- pleasure, sharing, squabbles, angry or awkward silences full of emotion or worry.

The exhibit gets you thinking about the utensils in your own life, your own family heritage. As Gemma Tipton writes in her Irish Times article about the show:

"There is nothing humble or boring about the spoon in this exhibition, as the German silversmith Wiebke Meurer describes it as 'an everyday object, always found in the same spot, picked up and handled over and over again. A ritual that lasts for many generations. The life and thoughts of the spoon’s owners merge with the object itself. The spoon becomes a storyteller.'" 

(Ouch!)  items by Stuart Cairns at Utensil

This show was opened during the Kilkenny Arts Festival, & I went along to the informal tour/talk given by Craft curator Angela Kelly, which was quite interesting. These talks are enjoyable & it is interesting to learn more about the pieces, processes, or just even what others think/feel about the works.

If you missed that talk, head over for the free 'Late Date' at the gallery (there will be wine!) presented by Ken McGuire, Thurs 30 Aug, 6.30

items from Utensil, during tour

There are a few surprises, like the Whispering Table and Crossfire, so be sure to spend some time with these pieces on your visit.

To see more about the National Craft Gallery, and Utensil, visit their website here.

Utensil will be on show at the gallery until 29 October, 2012.

If you would like to see some of the other wonderful craft items that have been on show at the gallery

click here

You may also enjoy reading this interview with Irish maker Enya Moore, who has pieces in the show. 

The photo below is one of her works. (photo from KilkennyArts.ie, the rest of the photos are mine.)

Enya Moore

whattoseeinireland 

Dive into Kilkenny Arts Festival!

Diving off John's Bridge, Kilkenny City

Dive into Kilkenny Arts Festival- you'll emerge energized and refreshed! C'mon down- there is a great buzz in town and fantastic things to see, hear, do, and talk about! I'm writing this on the Sunday Aug 12, and the festival runs through next Sunday; have a browse through the programme and plan a visit. Seeing the art & craft is free, & there are free events; but even the pay-for events are great value, so come enjoy a fantastic festival!


Head out to the things on outside of KK City, too! We got to the Three Solos show on Thomastown's Low Street, as well as the shows in gorgeous buildings of Grennan Waternmill (Berkley Gallery) & Grennan Mill Craft School. There is much more on there in Thomastown, too! (We have to go back- ran out of time!) If you only have time for 1 stop, the show in Grennan Mill Craft School is the one Hubby & I feel you should not to miss. Note: my bird photos above do NO JUSTICE to Fiona Heaney's pieces- so go see for yourself! Even the buildings are works of art ;-)

Old mill workings behind Grennan Mill Craft School, Thomastown, Kilkenny

  The Thomastown shows are listed under the category Open Submissions, & don't (if you can do stairs) get frustrated with climbing the stairs all the way to the top floor of Grennan Mill Craft School for the works there by John Bentley & Andi McGarry are very worth seeing!
 Back in Kilkenny City, I got to hear Craft Strand curator Angela Kelly talk about the works in Utensil, on in the National Craft Gallery. Beautiful & interesting, I think it is also worth a visit- and do have a listen to the Whispering Table. Clever idea :-) Be sure to check the programme, as there are craft events on for kids & adults, too.

             
The Globe Theatre are presenting As You Like It in the atmospheric setting of the Castle Yard beside the National Craft Gallery all week, and it is a wonderful show. ( If you are interested in Shakespeare & Ireland, you may like this Irish Times article.)  The actors are such great singers as well, and play instruments, too- a multi talented bunch! The show is great fun, & the Friday we went the sun joyfully shone down til dusk fell. Tis about 3 hours long, & outdoors, so go prepared for rain, sun, chill-- who knows what weather may happen! There is a bar, tho', so if it is wet you could drown your sorrows ;-)

The sun shone on As You Like It!

On Saturday night we saw Aziz Samhaoui & the University of Gnawa. As usual, the music selected by the music curators at Kilkenny Arts Festival didn't disappoint.The band's great groove soon had people on the floor dancing, & most others seat dancing as well! I hope to upload a short clip when I've time- there's s.l.o.w. upload speed here *sighs* Til then, here's a photo & a link to a song from them.                                                                                                                     

           

 As I write this there's still a whole week of enjoyment left-- don't miss out! There's lots on for the family, too, & so many great places to eat & chill out when you need a break. We had a very tasty lunch at Zuni's casual front cafe on Saturday, and Cleeres is always fab for pub lunch, bevvies & craic on the Watergate/Canice's side of town, while Bridies is a pub we love on the Set Theatre side of town. Where ever you go in Kilkenny-- enjoy! And mark your calendar for next year's Art Festival!
              WhatToSeeInIreland

Beautiful Ink! Flowing, and to a beat.

Would you like a few minutes of peaceful enjoyment? Then grab yourself a nice glass of wine or a lovely warm cuppa, just relax, and watch this clip from Irish calligrapher Denis Brown. He'll be exhibiting at Modified Expression in the National Craft Gallery at the Kilkenny Arts Festival this August 5-14th.

Need to wake up a little after that?
Then have a gander at this beat remix from the master calligrapher:

Denis has his very own educational calligraphy channel, too. His work is interesting and experimental, but well rooted in ancient tradition- he is recognized as a world leader in Letter Arts. Visit his website at 
www.quillskill.com to find out more, and you can also see his snow calligraphy video (as well as some more Kilkenny Arts Festival highlights) here.
Like this? Go see craft strand curator Angela O'Kelly introduce a free artists' talk at 3pm, Sat the 6th at The National Craft Gallery.

The Power Of the Object; past & current Irish Craft

Torcs, c.1200 BC; found at Tara 

Have you been enjoying Fintan O'Toole's series in the Irish Times, 'A History of Ireland in 100 objects'? The entry on the ancient Irish torcs from Tara really caught my attention, particularily the lines:

''The ability to make these things comes with a period of development that may have been stimulated by the deterioration of the Irish climate from about 1200 BC. This may have led to conflict and insecurity (new types of weapons and enclosed settlements date from this period) with the emergence of more powerful kings.''

I wonder if there are some parallels here with the deterioration of the Irish economy, & some of the traditional structures of power (church, banks, Fianna Fail,) and the fresh outflowing of creativity that seems to be gaining momemtum now. Who/what will our modern 'powerful kings' be...will their modern torcs perhaps be like the ones at

the 21st Century Icons show at The National Craft Gallery, where Irish based makers re-interpret the torc for our times.. 

'Follow me on Twitter' by Laura Mcnamara

As part of the Irish Year Of Craft, Fintan will be giving a talk at the Kilkenny Arts Festival on 

The Power Of The Object.

''As part of the Year of Craft 2011, join Fintan O’Toole, author of the current Irish Times series ‘A History of Ireland in 100 Objects’, to explore what the Greeks called charis: the allure of objects. From a Stone Age mace head from Knowth to the silver tea urns of Georgian Dublin, The Power of the Object asks what the artefacts of earlier times have to tell us about our ancestors, our history and ourselves. As the great writer WG Sebald wrote: “Things know more about us than we know about them.”

To whet your appetite for thinking about & appreciating crafted objects, why not see the Jewelery & Goldsmiths' graduate show also now on at the National Craft Gallery, on with the 21stc Icons, til the 28th July? If you are unable to make it, here are some photos from the jewellry/goldsmith show, (click the link higher up to see more from the 21st Icons)

The makers all made miniatures of Kilkenny buildings

And Jewelery pieces

There was a whole row of these fabulous wasps from each- unfortunately I struggled to stop the reflection on most of the cases that held the pieces- sorry the photos are not great..

Everyone also made a themed teapot.

There were vases/pitchers, & jewellery pieces inspired by paintings, too. Do get to the gallery to see them in person if you can! 

I don't have the individual pieces labeled as I usually do- I don't have the info on who made what; if you know, pls leave a comment so I can add in photo captions- thanks! (Here is a list of the makers of the buildings:)

If any of these object have spoken to you, or you enjoy craft, history, or pondering how beautiful &/or useful objects have shaped/shape our culture, come along on Tues, 9 Aug at 8pm to the Parade Tower, & join Fintan O'Toole and Prof. Daniel Miller in exploring The Power Of Objects. You can book here. 

See you there!

Bindings and spaces- some contemporary craft highlights at Kilkenny Arts Festival

Universe by Stefan Saffer

'Modified Expression' 

will be on display at the beautiful, light-filled National Craft Gallery as part of the Craft Strand of the 2011 Kilkenny Arts Festival. The crafts curator, Angela O'Kelly, tells us it will be: 

''An exciting mix of emerging and established artists whose work is inspired by the written word, or by the binding and recycling of books and paper, respond to the work of the authors participating in the Literature strand of the festival.''

With 14 different makers displaying their work, it'll be an eclectic mix, with something for everyone.

Stefan Saffer

I am particularily excited about seeing the work of two people- one is Stefan Saffer, who says his cut outs 

''cast a shadow onto the wall to remind you what they are- a space between your thought and another.''

Neu by Stefan Saffer

by Stefan Saffer

Much of his cut out work is flowing and sensuous, and all his works- sculptures, installations, and folded pieces, have something to say, and not just always in the spaces-

sometimes the text is clear!

Sweepstake by Stefan Saffer

I'm looking forward to seeing what he may be saying 'in the spaces' at 'Modified Expression.'

Rachel Hazell

I'm also looking forward to travelling bookbinder Rachel Hazell's work.

She has some beautiful photos on her blog http://booksineverything.wordpress.com/

where she ''sees books in everything''

This image photographed by Rachel is even more interesting when you 'see a book' in it.

Rachel has traveled to many places, including the Antarctic, so she's full of wild & wonderful books. Do click to see more about the trip & pictures of the amazing 'ice bound: antarctic bookworks' inspired by her time there.

Workshops

The bookbinding workshops she's leading at the festival are also listed under the children's events, but after reading about her & seeing her work, I know I'd love to go- what about you?

These are only 2 of the interesting makers showing at the festival- there are many more! You may like to have a look at an earlier post containing some of the other craftspeople & events here.

And if you missed it on the Kilkenny Arts festival's blog page, have a watch of what else Craft curator Angela O'Kelly has to say about the strand.

Hope to see you all at the festival! 

Susan 

Kilkenny Arts Fest: flamboyant & flirty, or crafty and happy? It'll all be there!

The fabulous Kilkenny Arts Festival 2011 program is here! 

Once again, it is choc-a-blok with intriguing offerings in the areas of music, theatre, dance, literature, visual arts, craft, and kids' events. Where else would you be able to hear a ''flamboyant harpsichordist,'' (Christophe Rousset,) see dance theatre for free from ''incorrigable flirts'' ponydance (so says the Irish Times!) and groove to Mongolian traditional music with ''western sensibility'' from Hanggai!?!

I am so going to this!! Hanggai
 I'll be blogging on the Craft Strand, and an exciting theme in the strand this year is literature & books.

Modified Expression will be on at The National Craft Gallery, with a range of makers responding to the theme.
Here's one of them with a rather otherworldly video done in the Dublin suburbs last winter- calligraphy in the snow by Denis Brown, The Real Quill Skill

There will be bookbinding workshops, papercraft workshops and birdsong related workshops for the kids all at the National Craft Gallery. 

Laoise O'Brien & Lorna Donlon

For the adults, 'How Happy For The Little Birds' is a musical programme connected to the crafts works from Lorna Donlon on display in the Castle Yard- a response to the musical repertoire.

There will also be an artists' talk in the National Craft Gallery, and an early evening Celebration of the Year Of Craft .

Hot Glass Divas will be on at Jerpoint Glass Studio
 I'm also really looking forward to seeing the Hot Glass Divas works on show at Jerpoint Glass (located outside of Thomastown,) - definitely worth a drive, because you can then also see the exhibits on show at Grennan Mill Craft School.

Clive Nunn is one of the makers who'll be showing in Grennan Mill. Check out the others by clicking here & scrolling down to where the listings are for 'Other Selections.' There are plenty to see!


 So there's a small taste of the Festival. It is well worth going to; nothing is expensive, much is free, and Kilkenny is a lovely, small city- easy to get around on foot. Take some time out, check all the listings, & plan to enjoy some fun, unusual, thought provoking & beautiful exhibits and events. See you there!

Incredibly beautiful, wearable, craft in Ireland!

The National Craft Gallery in Kilkenny City has 2 beautiful shows on at the minute. (Note- they're over now- BUT DO look at the photos of the fabulous items! You won't be sorry you took a minute to do so.)

close up of 'Shades of Green' by Marika Miklosi Manning

21st Century Icons is a show where makers were asked to re-imagine the iconic ancient Celtic neckwear- the torc. 

Full photo of 'Shades of Green' byMarika Miklosi Manning  

'Wild Fortunes' by Emma Bourke- stunning, but hard to photo- go see in person!

'Sarvi Neckpiece' by Tuula Harrington and Roisin de Buitlier

'Follow me on Twitter' by Laura Macnamara is perfect for the 21st c Celt!

'Twisted Torque' by Julia Connellan

'White Ruffle Necklace' by Rachel McKnight ( & ooh, she has an online shop!)

This detail from 'Caera' by Eily O'Connell really caught my eye. The whole piece has an interesting story behind it- made from the wool of a found deceased sheep! she says ''Torcs were traditionally buried with the dead but this neckpiece reverses that practice and now the dead lives on, adorning the living.'' I think one of the bits looks like a skull, do you? 


More beauty!
Also on until July 6 is Bruce Metcalf's show, with more fab wearable beauty. Here are a few photos from it, too.  

by Bruce Metcalf

by Bruce Metcalf

by Bruce Metcalf

by Bruce Metcalf

by Bruce Metcalf

Not by Bruce Metcalf! A friendly visitor!

If you love seeing beautiful things, wonderfully made & with interesting stories behind them, I highly recommend visiting The National Craft Gallery.  We've been several times this year and have loved each show. ( For other posts on the visits, click here.) Also call over to the Butler Gallery across the road in Kilkenny castle. We just went to the opening of their new youth curated show 'From Us, Through Them, To You' and really enjoyed it! A post on that coming soon, with video!
Have YOU seen any great Irish based craft or art lately? Tell us about it in the comments section, go on, go on, go on! :-)