Kildare County Council Arts Service

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, MAYNOOTH
In association with Kildare County Council

CERTIFICATE IN COMMUNITY ARTS FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COURSE

In 2003/4 and 2004/5, Kildare County Council co-ordinated two accredited Certificate In Community Arts for Community Development courses, NUI Maynooth, in the Education Centre, Kildare Town and Riverbank Arts Centre. Through this course, the needs of artists working in a community context were explored

The one-year part-time courses, devised by the Adult and Community Education Department, NUI, Maynooth attracted over 50 artists, arts facilitators and community workers from all over Ireland. 

The Theatre of the Oppressed repertory, developed by Brazilian director, popular educator and Workers Party activist Augusto Boal was a key element of the course.  Based on the feedback from participants on the courses, Julian Boal translator, filmmaker, and Theatre of the Oppressed trainer facilitate TOTO introductory workshops in Kildare, in November 2006.

While there are no short-term plans to run another course, Kildare County Council may do so in the future.  NUI, Maynooth continue to run the Certificate In Community Arts for Community Development course in other locations.

Please see the course outline below

CERTIFICATE IN COMMUNITY ARTS FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Introduction
This certificate level course aims to raise awareness on creative ways of working with groups to promote person and local development.

Course Aims
· To introduce and explore creativity and community arts in personal and community development.
· Train participants in creative methods of groupwork
· Introduce participants to using arts in community contexts

Course Objectives
· To demonstrate a range of practical, participatory art methods (eg drama, dance, creative writing, weaving etc)
· To deepen participants’ own resources and skills (specifically their creative resources; their analytical and reflection abilities; their research skills; and their learning abilities)
· To train participants to use a broad range of creative groupwork methods (from using games and exercises to applying evaluation methods)
· To introduce participants to the basic principles of community development
· To introduce participants to the theories, traditions and issues associated with participatory arts.

Content
· Communication skills and personal development  
· Return to learning and study skills
· Introduction to theories and models of community development
· Introduction to theories, traditions and issues of arts-in-contexts
· Adult learning styles
· Introduction to Groupwork and Facilitation skills
· Creativity skills training

Admission Requirements
· Participants must be 23 years or over
· Participants must be community activists and preferably be working with groups in a facilitation or leadership role.  It is not necessary for participants to be artists but a lively interest in community arts and creativity is desirable.
· Have the capacity to complete a course at NUI Certificate level

Assessment Requirements
85% minimum attendance    
Essay
Learning Journal (and written reflection based on the journal)   
Portfolio (collection of work created during course)
Individual presentation to the group (10 minutes)
Collective presentation to the group (20 minutes)

Course Duration
100 hours part-time over 1 year.  The course will take place over a series of weekends over the academic year, commencing in September 2005.

Fee
€ 850, including €60 booking deposit

Location
The course will take place in the Kildare Education centre in Kildare town, accessible by public transport.

Tutor
The main tutor for this course is Peter Hussey, MA H. Dip Adult & Community Ed.  Peter is Artistic Director of Crooked House Theatre Company and is a part-time lecturer with the Dept of Adult and Community Education in Maynooth.

Course Organizer
Lucina Russell, Kildare County Arts Officer, Riverbank, Main Street, Newbridge, Co. Kildare.

Tel: 045-448318 / 448328   E mail: lrussell@kildarecoco.ie

Informal inquiries about the course are welcome.

Posted by Eoghan Doyle at 12:33 PM | Permalink

2006

The Temporary Foray series marks a turning in the Arts Service provision for Kildare County Council.  At the outset, Temporary Foray was a series of formal presentations, providing opportunities for artists and the wider public to reflect on and question the work, ideas, and rationale of significant international artists and arts administrators. 

Presentations by Kirsten Lavers, operating a Gallery from a taxi in her front garden and by Diego Gutteriez, connecting with artists around the world; via hand written questions, film and music; threw on its head traditional notions of ‘The work that we do, Where we do it, How we do it’.   

The series attracted a number of artists returning to the County, leaving behind larger towns and cities, where opportunities to meet other artists, attend arts events, presentations and lectures are almost taken for granted and where the potential of the physical infrastructure provides more scope for artists needs. 

The series created an expectation from these artists and affirms a challenge for Kildare County Council - How to further engage with artists in a meaningful way ?  How to build on the existing arts infrastructure, physical and otherwise in the county?  In a Commuter Belt County like Kildare, but in the midst of a technological revolution, how to create connections both local and global ?

2007 

The findings of the 2006 symposium were published and can be downloaded here  

Temporary Collection

In December 2007, curator Sally Timmons placed the following advert in the local press.

"Artist Sally Timmons wishes to visit homes in County Kildare in order to gather together artworks for an exhibition in Castletown House in December 2007. All works will be considered for exhibition - whether amateur, experimental or undiscovered gems! Borrowed works will be treated with utmost care at all times. If you have an artwork in your home which you think may be of interest please conact:

Sally Timmons Tel: 086 3963845
 or email: commonplaceamateur@gmail.com.

Alternatively, contact Kildare County Council Arts Service, Riverbank, Newbridge Tel: 045 448318 http://www.kildare.ie/artsservice "

This exhibiton in Castletown House, entitled "Temporary Collection" was documented through a virtual gallery. You can view the exhibitions website here

2008

The Temporary Collection website was launched in 2008. Artist Sarah Browne was also asked to speak at the launch. You can find out more details here

· NUI, Maynooth Certificate in Community Arts for Community Development

Posted by Eoghan Doyle at 12:30 PM | Permalink

Theatre of the Oppressed comprises of a series of theatre techniques that focus on the systematic and intentional use of dramatic processes for progressive change.  The Forum theatre is used - a crossroad between an assembly and a social gathering, a political reunion and theatre. 

Spectators of a forum theatre session are ‘spect-actors’.  They are no longer passive beings to whom it is denied the possibility of replying.  They are invited to replace the protagonist, in order to find a solution or alternatives to the oppression shown on the stage, which he and many others people from the assistance, suffer.  This very simple presentation of what forum-theatre is, cannot hide the fact that there is an important theory and practice, which sustains this form of theatre. 

This introductory workshop is divided in three parts: Physical Exercises to Ide-mechanize the body;  Improvisation Exercises, introducing the basic tools in order to make theatre;  Forum -Theatre Technique and creation of forum-plays.

WORKSHOP DETAILS
Riverbank Arts Centre

Wed 15th, Thurs 16th, Friday 17th, Sun 19th November 2006, 11- 4pm
Workshop
‘Introduction to the Techniques of Theatre of The Oppressed".

Saturday 18th November 2006,  11 am
Public Lecture
'Origins and Development of Theatre of the Oppressed'.

The workshop and lecture is opened to actors and non-actors

The Theatre of the Oppressed workshop and lecture are free of charge, but booking is essential

Contact Kildare County Arts Service Tel:  045-448318,
E mail: lrussell@kildarecoco.ie

ARTISTS PROFILE

Julian Boal, is a translator, filmmaker, and Theatre of the Oppressed trainer.  Theatre of the Oppressed repertory was developed by Brazilian director, popular educator and Workers Party activist Augusto Boal. 

Julians interactive approach to theatrical expression emphasizes physical dialogues,  non-verbal imagery, consensus-building and problem-solving processes, and techniques for developing awareness of both external and internalized forms of oppression.  Based in France, he travels extensively worldwide investigating the theory and practice of Theatre of the Oppressed

To downlaod the brochure click here (size 258kb)

Posted by Eoghan Doyle at 11:29 AM | Permalink

TWO KILDARE BANDS SELECTED TO PERFORM AT OXEGEN ‘07

The final of the Platform II Battle of the Bands competition, to select two bands to perform on the New Bands Stage, at Oxegen 07, the largest music festival in Ireland took place in Time Venue, Naas on Thursday 24th May 2007.

Eight bands from Kildare
Reemo (Sallins, Prosperous), Miracle Bell (Naas), My OK Hotel (Naas), The Re-Offenderz (Athy), Half Shot (Leixlip), Bright Light Fiasco (Monasterevin, Kildare), Dark Age Disco (Newbridge, Naas) and Rohan and the Band (Leixlip) performed three songs to a packed audience.

Judges for the competition were Niall Morris (MCD), Claire Mc Kenna (DJ, Spin FM) and Ollie Cole (singer/songwriter from the band Turn).  PJ Gallagher, comedian and star of the tv series Naked Camera, MC for the evening, embraced the competition with an impromptu singing performance with blues band Rohan and the Band.

The two bands selected to perform at Oxegen 07 are My OK Hotel and Miracle Bell.

My OK Hotel are Shane Delahunty (vocals, guitar), Niall Barrett (bass), Matt Stapleton (drums) and Conor Berkeley (piano, synth, glock).  My OK Hotel recently recorded a 4 track EP, entitled ‘When the Ship Sinks, We Stick Together’.  According to the band, they formed ‘with the aim of writing simple indie songs’.  To find out more about My OK Hotel, see www.myokhotel.com  

Miracle Bell are Dave Prendergast (vocals, guitar, synthesiser), John Broe (lead guitar, vocals, keys), Tom Barrett (bass, vocals) and John Rigney (drums, vocals).  John B, Tom and John R are studying music at Ballyfermot Rock School, while Dave is a graduate of NUI, Maynooth.  John Broe was a participant on the UnEarthed Music Development programme for emerging musicians in Riverbank Arts Centre.  See www.miraclebell.com for further information about the band. 

Organisers of the competition, Kildare County Council, in association MCD and Naas Town Council, were delighted with the overall response to the competition, which has provided a unique opportunity for emerging musicians in the County.  According to Lucina Russell, Arts Officer for Kildare County Council, ‘As well as providing the much-coveted prize – to perform at Oxegen ’07 - the final provided bands with an opportunity to meet other musicians and to play to new audiences. Overall, it was great fun.  We are delighted that MCD have embraced the competition’.  

Posted by Eoghan Doyle at 10:54 AM | Permalink

KILDARE COUNTY COUNCIL
FIRE SERVICE ART COMPETITION

Kildare County Council Fire Service is dedicated to the prevention of fire and taking appropriate speedy action when it does strike.

The Fire Service is one of the busiest in the country catering for a population of 170,000 people which is growing at a rate of 10% every five years.  The work of the Fire Service includes inspection of premises to which the public has resource (dance halls, cinemas, theatres etc.) with a view to ensuring that proper safety standards were in place.

There is an increased public awareness of the need to observe basic precautions such as keeping fire exits clear but, improvements in this area should not lead to a false sense of complacency, and the fire service maintains constant vigilance on behalf of the people of the County. 

As part of the public awareness campaign, the Fire Service, in association with the County Arts Service invited children and young people to participate in a calendar art competition on the theme ‘Fire Safety’.

Results Kildare County Council Fire Service – Art Competition 2004

Emily Murray
Mercy Convent Primary School, Naas, 4th Class; Teacher: Mrs Smyth

Sarah Fallon
Mercy Convent Primary School, Naas, 4th Class; Teacher: Mrs.Smyth

Amelie Matuschka
St. Colmcille’s N.S., Moone;  5th Class; Teacher: Joe Monaghan
     
Laura O’Rourke
Bun Scoil Bhride, Rathangan, 5th Class; Teacher: Ms.O’Dwyer

Charlotte Domegan
Scoil Eimhin Naofa, Monasterevin, 4th Class, Teacher: Mrs Cullen

Kate Scully
Gaelscoil Chill Dara, An Currach, 3rd Class, Teacher: Valerie Finn

Barry O’Brien
St. Corban’s Primary School, Naas; 1st Class; Teacher: Mrs.O’Reilly

Catherine Jones
Scoil Náisiúnta Mhuire, Maigh Nuad; Senior Infants; Teacher: Mrs.O’Reilly

Linda Doyle
Scoil Diarmada, Castledermot; 6th Class; Teacher: Mr.Kirk

Ria Logianathan;
Convent of Mercy Primary School, Naas; 6th Class; Teacher: Mrs.Comer

Samantha Tabaldo
Bunscoil Bhride, Rathangan; 1st Class; Teacher: F. Fogarty

Sarah Jane Nolan
St. Colmcille’s N.S., Moone; 5th Class; Teacher: Joe Monaghan

Posted by Eoghan Doyle at 10:36 AM | Permalink

Arts Act Grants Scheme
The deadline for the 2007 Arts Act Grant Scheme was 16th March.  Details of the 2008 scheme will be announced in January 2008

Cecil Day Lewis Literary Bursary Award
The deadline for the CD Lewis Bursary Award 2007 was 16th March.  Details of the 2008 scheme will be announced in January 2008

Kildare Dance Summer School Bursary Award
The deadline for the 2007 Kildare Dance Summer School Bursary Award was 16th March.  The next Dance Summer School takes place in 2009.

Tyrone Guthrie Residency Bursary Award
The deadline for the 2007 Arts Act Grant Scheme was 16th March.  Details of the 2008 scheme will be announced in January 2008

Drama League of Ireland Summer School Bursary Award
The deadline for the 2007 DLI Summer School Bursary Award was 16th March.  Details of the 2008 scheme will be announced in January 2008

Further information about Kildare County Councils Awards and Opportunities is available from:

Kildare County Council Arts Service, Riverbank, Main Street, Newbridge, Co Kildare

Tel: 045-448318 / 448328;  E mail: lrussell@kildarecoco.ie

Posted by KCN Administrator at 10:20 AM | Permalink

KILDARE COUNTY COUNCIL
FIRE SERVICE ART COMPETITION

Kildare County Council Fire Service is dedicated to the prevention of fire and taking appropriate speedy action when it does strike.

The Fire Service is one of the busiest in the country catering for a population of 170,000 people which is growing at a rate of 10% every five years.  The work of the Fire Service includes inspection of premises to which the public has resource (dance halls, cinemas, theatres etc.) with a view to ensuring that proper safety standards were in place.

There is an increased public awareness of the need to observe basic precautions such as keeping fire exits clear but, improvements in this area should not lead to a false sense of complacency, and the fire service maintains constant vigilance on behalf of the people of the County. 

As part of the public awareness campaign, the Fire Service, in association with the County Arts Service invited children and young people to participate in a calendar art competition on the theme ‘Fire Safety’.

Results Kildare County Council Fire Service – Art Competition 2004

Emily Murray
Mercy Convent Primary School, Naas, 4th Class; Teacher: Mrs Smyth

Sarah Fallon
Mercy Convent Primary School, Naas, 4th Class; Teacher: Mrs.Smyth

Amelie Matuschka
St. Colmcille’s N.S., Moone;  5th Class; Teacher: Joe Monaghan
     
Laura O’Rourke
Bun Scoil Bhride, Rathangan, 5th Class; Teacher: Ms.O’Dwyer

Charlotte Domegan
Scoil Eimhin Naofa, Monasterevin, 4th Class, Teacher: Mrs Cullen

Kate Scully
Gaelscoil Chill Dara, An Currach, 3rd Class, Teacher: Valerie Finn

Barry O’Brien
St. Corban’s Primary School, Naas; 1st Class; Teacher: Mrs.O’Reilly

Catherine Jones
Scoil Náisiúnta Mhuire, Maigh Nuad; Senior Infants; Teacher: Mrs.O’Reilly

Linda Doyle
Scoil Diarmada, Castledermot; 6th Class; Teacher: Mr.Kirk

Ria Logianathan;
Convent of Mercy Primary School, Naas; 6th Class; Teacher: Mrs.Comer

Samantha Tabaldo
Bunscoil Bhride, Rathangan; 1st Class; Teacher: F. Fogarty

Sarah Jane Nolan
St. Colmcille’s N.S., Moone; 5th Class; Teacher: Joe Monaghan

Posted by Eoghan Doyle at 04:01 PM | Permalink

‘Making Inroads:  An Arts Development Plan for Kildare County Council 2006- 2011’ was adopted by Council in October 2006. 

The plan outlined strategic objectives for key development areas including Arts in Health, Youth Arts, Arts in Education, Public Art, Social Inclusion and in specific art forms - Visual Arts, Theatre, Film, Dance, Architecture, Music and Literature.

The implementation of the Per Cent for Art was a key part of the 2006 programme, with 13 commissions awarded for housing schemes countywide, including permanent art works and a portrait series.

Julian Boal, Theatre of the Oppressed trainer facilitated a weeklong workshop series, for artists and community workers, examining social issues, through forum theatre.

Temporary Foray, a critical debate arts lecture series was established in early 2006, and was complemented by an autumn Artists Symposium which took place in Whites Castle, Athy.

Renowned musician Frankie Lane was commissioned by Council to work with a group of traditional musicians from the County to produce a quality recording of traditional music.  The cd ‘Ceol Galore’ was launched in Riverbank.

The Laban Guild Community Dance Leaders course continued and a new dance programme, exploring dance with disability was established, in association with Moore Abbey Services.

Graduates of the second Certificate in Community Arts for Community Development course, co-ordinated by the Arts Service were awarded certificates by Dr Anne Ryan, NUI, Maynooth in November.

Meanwhile, Riverbank Arts Centre embarked on a series of partnership projects.  An open submission, group exhibition ‘Blank Canvas’, took place in Riverbank and in Whitewater Shopping Centre, to extend the audience for visual arts.  Also supporting the arts outside the walls of the centre, the acclaimed Dublin Gospel Choir with special guests performed in St Conleth’s Church, Newbridge.

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Kildare County Councils Arts Development Programme continued to work on long term initiatives across art forms, working with partners at local, national and international level; encouraging participation and artistic excellence. 

A diverse dance development took place in 2005.  The Laban Guild Community Dance Leaders course, Level 2, an intensive 6-month training programme took place in Riverbank Arts Centre.  Anna Carlisle, MBE, presented the awards for the Level 1 course, in July. The Kildare Dance Summer School provided an opportunity for further developing local partners.  Nineteen bursary awards were offered to artists, young people, facilitators, staff and clients from community services in the County.

As the initial Certificate in Community Arts for Community Development, NUI Maynooth course organised by Kildare County Council was completed in June, a second course commenced in October.  This popular course aims to set community arts practice in context and to develop participants facilitation and group work skills.

The Autumn Series ‘When All is Not What it Seems …..’ incorporated ‘Introduction to Screen Writing’ and ‘Getting Down and Dirty with the Locals’ workshops, ‘Intriguing Connections’ and ‘Analysising Classic Film’ lectures

The ‘If I Had an Artist for a Day…..’ Arts in Education programme was extended to include workshops in Dance, Visual Arts, Literature and Music.

The restoration programme of the Municipal Art Collection was completed, culminating in an exhibition of selected works ‘A Collection Uncovered.  Martin Gale, RHA opened the exhibition.  The ‘Where Siva Meets Maebh’ exhibition of prints by the Leinster Printmaking Studio explored Indian and Irish mythology.  The work was shown at Riverbank Arts Centre, before touring venues in Ireland. 

Riverbank Arts Centre launched the ‘UnEarthed Music Development Programme for Young Musicians.  It provided mentoring through intensive music making and training.  The County Kildare Orchestra continued to nurture the development of emerging and professional musicians in the County. 

Posted by Eoghan Doyle at 04:47 PM | Permalink

The needs of ARTISTS working in a COMMUNITY CONTEXT were addressed by the establishment of the ACCREDITED course CERTIFICATE IN COMMUNITY ARTS FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT in partnership with the ADULT and COMMUNITY EDUCATION DEPARTMENT, NUI, MAYNOOTH.  This part-time course attracted 35 artists, arts facilitators and community workers from all over Ireland.  The course will be fully supported by the library service by the provision of dedicated study facilities and course materials.  MONITORING and EVALUATION of the course will be carried out throughout the course by a Masters Degree student in the Adult and Community Education Department.

Following on from the success of the Level 1 course in 2002/2003, the LABAN GUILD COMMUNITY DANCE LEADERS COURSE LEVEL 2 was established.  This is the first course of this level in the Republic of Ireland.  The course attracted dancers, and artists who work in a community context and health care workers.  This project was developed in association with Riverbank Arts Centre.  This course, which is facilitated by internationally renowned dance facilitators ANNA CARLISLE and CATHY O'KENNEDY, focuses on CHOREOGRAPHY and is intended to support the professional DEVELOPMENT OF ARTISTS.  It also supports the Arts Service Commitment to develop STATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS, in this case, the LABAN GUILD.

SPELLBOUND was a commissioned play for primary school children by CROOKED HOUSE THEATRE COMPANY.  The play was devised in Spring, and performed in Kildare Libraries and toured across the country in the Summer term.  The play and follow-on wokshops in Summer and Autumn focused on themes raised in the play i.e. literacy and difficulties faced by junior learners,  books as tools of the imagination and the ineffectiveness of bullying behaviour.  Workshops included:- integration games, storytelling techniques, and journeying through the imagination.   
2004 saw the further development of the ARTSFEST IN LIBRARIES PROGRAMME for children with year long residencies including:- 1. HEAR NO WORDS, SEE NO WORDS, SPEAK NO WORDS, a dance development project with Laban Guild graduates LUCY BELL and VIJAYA BATESON. 2. STORY MAKING THROUGH FILM AND PERFORMANCE Sound Artist AILEEN LAMBERT and performance artist MICHAEL FORTUNE explored story making, story telling, creative writing, characterisation, voice and sound.  Sessions were based around the development of stories, orally, written and visual. 3. TAKE A SEAT ' Visual artist SARAH BROWNE has a particular interest in the 'Ideal Home',  and what that concept means to different people in different situations.  Her work-shops were a funky approach to DIY. Other programmes included MUSICAL TOTS, IRISH HISTORY LIVE
2004 marked the third year of the MUSIC OUTREACH PROGRAMME development programme, having a number of key elements -

1. The MASTER CLASS PROGRAMME further developed with performances introducing PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS from AROUND THE WORLD and MEET THE COMPOSERS.  This programme visited fourteen primary schools in Kildare. 2. The MUSIC TUITION PROGRAMME continued with weekly instrumental tuition in 19  schools in TRADITIONAL, CLASSICAL, PERCUSSION, KINDER MUSIC.  Supports offered by the Arts Service were:- ADVICE, INSTRUMENT BANK, subsidy on TUTORS FEES. 3. The third TZIPORA CHILDRENS MUSIC FESTIVAL took place in Goffs in May.  The festival showcased the work that took place in schools on the MUSIC TUITION PROGRAMME over the year and provided a platform for invited schools to PERFORM in a QUALITY VENUE, while also participating as AUDIENCE.
The Arts Service engaged arts consultant JESSICA FULLER to carry out a comprehensive EVALUATION of the MUSIC OUTREACH PROGRAMME over the three-year period.  The consultation extended to arts service staff, participating teachers, and music tutors.  The findings of the consultation will inform the development of the music programme over the next five years.

The pocket size ARTYFACTS NEWSLETTER and RIVERBANK PROGRAMME has a circulation of 6000 in the wider Kildare area.  The quarterly publication is also available on www.kildare.ie/arts ' has significantly increased its circulation.  The publication is key for the PROMOTION of the ARTS SERVICE, acts as a POINT OF INFORMATION and supports AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT

Kildare Library and Arts Service presented a series of lectures on art appreciation, which were of general interest, but particularly of interest to LOCAL VISUAL ARTS GROUPS Leaving Certificate Art students.   

MAEBH O'REGAN, Ph D., lecturer in art history in the National College of Art and Design, presents a series of lectures examining CONTEMPORARY PAINTING. Lectures examined * the life and work of FRANCIS BACON (1909-1992). The recent reconstruction of the artists London studio at the Hugh Lane Gallery in Dublin has renewed interested in the artists work * the paintings of FRIDA KAHLO.  The artist lived in Mexico City with her husband, the famous muralist and painter Diego Rivera * Exploration of paintings of the head by Irish artist, LOUIS LE BROQUEY.

BURSARY AWARDS were made to an artist working in DRAMA and another working in LITERTURE for a two-week residency the TYRONE GUTHERIE CENTRE @ANNAGHMAKERRIG. Two further bursary awards were made to support EMERGING ARTISTS, through their attendance at the DRAMA LEAGUE OF IRELAND SUMMER SCHOOL @ NUI, MAYNOOTH

The annual CECIL DAY LEWIS SHORT STORY AND POETRY AWARDS competition and award ceremony for adults and children took place in April.  The awards are intended to highlight the link with C D Lewis and County Kildare and also to PROMOTE WRITING in POETRY, SHORT STORY and DRAMA and EXTEND THE AUDIENCE for LITERATURE.

Posted by Eoghan Doyle at 04:40 PM | Permalink

 Element
By John O’Connor

 Location
Element is placed on the façade of the Fire Station in Athy, South Kildare. 

History of the project
Over the last number of years, Athy and Naas have both opened purpose built fire stations.  A refurbishment of the fire station in Monasterevin has also taken place.  As part of the building programme, Kildare County Council engaged three Irish artists to further enhance each building by means of commissioning art works, through the Per Cent for Art Scheme.  The physical building and their particular location were considered when designing a brief for the commissions.  

This project began with a collaboration between the local community and the artist, John O'Connor.  A group of teenagers were asked to do designs, which could be used as part of the end design of the artwork for the fire station. A series of very interesting and diverse drawings were produced and the artist then set about incorporating them into the design of the wall sculpture.

Artist statement
The overall design is based on images and symbolism associated with the elements-Fire, Water and Air. The triangle is an ancient symbol for fire, so these two shapes form the main part of the design.  These symbols connected with flowing lines, which represent water (a symbol found at Newgrange and other ancient Irish sites).

The drawings were etched into the larger of the two stainless steel triangles and form a cross section of the work done by the local youths. The smaller triangle  contains the symbols .

About the artist
John O Connor .Dip. Fine Art (distinction) M.Phil.

Born in Cork, Ireland in 1956 and educated at Crawford College of Art and Design, Cork. 1974-79 and University of Ulster 1993-97.  O’Connor is a member of Sculptors Society of Ireland and National Sculpture Factory; exhibiting sculpture nationally and Internationally.  In September 2003 his work featured on Nationwide, RTE television.  He curated the 'Making Sense' a showcase of sculpture in Cork 1997 and was Artist in Residence at Waterford I.T. 1996.

O’Connor has been awarded 19 major Public Art commissions since 2000, including works in - Athy, Co. Kildare;  Athlone Library;  Kinlough Co. Leitrim; Tinryland, Co. Carlow; Tesco, Waterford; Granard, Co. Longford; Dublin (Ballyfermot & Navan Rd.);  Dunamaise Theatre & Fitzmaurice Place, Portlaoise;   Tramore, Co. Waterford; Bray Arts Centre;  Claremorris, Co. Mayo;  Ennis, Co. Clare; Bird Hill, Co .Tipperary;  Waterford I.T., Tipperary Institute, Thurles and Templemore, Co. Tipperary.

In addition to this, 20 proposals for Public Art Commissions have been short-listed in competitions held nationally and in N. Ireland.

Selected Exhibitions:
2003 Group show; West Wales Arts Centre, Fishguard . Idir Dha Shaol', 
2003  Solo show; Garter Lane Arts Centre Waterford
2002  Exhibition of New works; Dunamaise Arts Centre Portlaoise
2002  Black wind -White land, Living with Chernobyl; Civic Offices, Dublin
2001 Black wind -White land, Living with Chernobyl; United Nations Plaza, New York
2001 W.I.T. staff exhibition; Dungarvan Arts Centre & Garter Lane, Waterford.
2000  -Euro-fire in the land of Liege; Belgium
1998 'Gateway to Art' exhibition; Aer Rianta

Back to Kildare County Councils Public Art Programme

Posted by KCN Administrator at 04:16 PM | Permalink

Riverbank Arts Centre, Main Street, Newbridge, County Kildare.
Information: 045 448327 Email: info@riverbank.ie
Riverbank Arts Centre Manager: Hugh Murray. Email: hugh@riverbank.ie

Further Contact Details can be found at http://www.riverbank.ie

Download Riverbank Exhibition Space Measurements (pdf 86kb )

Posted by KCN Administrator at 12:38 PM | Permalink