Press Release for Immediate Release – 27th May 2022 - South Carlow inspires Creative International Group.
Craft professionals from Denmark, Greece, Scotland, Switzerland and Ireland descended on South County Carlow last week for the International Craft Hub Residency hosted by Carlow County Council and Nicola Brown as part of the Creative Europe Craft Hub Project. The residency aimed to create a new way for beginner and experienced makers with a passion for nature to engage in a new environment. It offered participants an exciting opportunity to explore and develop processes and discover new techniques.
Welcoming , the international engagement , Cllr. Fintan Phelan , Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council said “I am delighted that Carlow had the opportunity to welcome this group of creatives as part of the Craft Hub project and I was delighted to attend the unveiling of their work as part of the residency where I saw first hand how international experts like our own Nicola Brown could inspire and ignite a creative flare in the participants in the beautiful surrounds of South County Carlow”. Concluding the Cathaoirleach said “I believe Carlow County Councils role in EU projects has provided significant benefits to the County both economically , culturally and socially and I look forward to seeing the continued delivery of the Craft Hub Project.
Speaking about the residency, Nicola Brown said “The Residency provided a stimulating forum for discussion and exchange of ideas between participating practitioners, created new bonds, strengthened peer networks and encouraged new creativity and I was delighted to host this international event as part of Craft Hub”.
Séamus Doran, Carlow County Council’s Assistant Head of Economic Development & Enterprise said “These international residencies are a capacity building opportunity for craft practitioners to explore new professional practices, stimulate the creation of new works and increase their craft making skills. We are delighted to be part of this creative activity and to work with Nicola Browne to create this opportunity”. He continued by saying “The concept behind the residency was push the boundaries of craft making processes through new experimental ways of making. Our international participants really embraced this process in Ireland to create their collaborative exhibition piece”.
The participants were Monica Hartvigsen (Denmark), Signe Fink Norgaard (Denmark), Ourania Zisopoulou (Greece), Clare Robb (Scotland), Shauna McGowan (Ireland) and Joni Steinmann (Switzerland)
Craft Hub project activities involve investigating and documenting craft skills and processes; their differing application in creative practice across Europe; and questions of cultural specificity and individual motivations of practitioners. This will be addressed through a comprehensive and exciting program to allow the creation of new craft work and experimental investigations into process and material supported by 42 transnational maker residencies, 305 days of outreach work, 1 festival, 7 exhibitions and 2 conferences.
For further information log onto Maker Exchange Residencies - Craft Hub or contact Melissa Doyle on 059/9129783 or e-mail enterprise@carlowcoco.ie
Photo Caption: A5817676 - Monica Hartvigsen (Denmark), Signe Fink Norgaard (Denmark), Ourania Zisopoulou (Greece), Clare Robb (Scotland), Shauna McGowan (Ireland) and Joni Steinmann (Switzerland) with Cllr. Fintan Phelan , Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council , Nicola Brown &
Séamus Doran, Carlow County Council’s Assistant Head of Economic Development & Enterprise
Photo Caption: A5817734 - Cllr. Fintan Phelan , Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council , Nicola Brown & Séamus Doran, Carlow County Council’s Assistant Head of Economic Development & Enterprise
