The #CreateKilkenny Collective pop-up shop will be open in Abbey Street, Kilkenny from August 13th - 20^th as part of the Alternative Kilkenny Arts festival programme. This shop will be a treasure trove of beautiful quality handmade contemporary craft and design. You are invited to come along and view from our wide variety of media - from framed art and furniture to ceramics and accessories – this pop-up shop has something for everyone. 

#CreateKilkenny is a collective group of designers, crafts people and makers who have come together with the help of the Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Kilkenny to support, challenge and share their knowledge and passion. The group are all in the early stages of business development and are participating in the #CreateKilkenny programme. The #CreateKilkenny business development programme organised by LEO Kilkenny is aimed at encouraging creative entrepreneurs to explore possible business opportunities for achieving growth. It provides them with the necessary tools, knowledge and support to assess their business model and resources to determine what is achievable.

Following the successful pilot of this programme in 2013, the LEO Kilkenny is again running this programme. Past participants include Chairperson of MADE in Kilkenny Marie Therese Walker, MTW Jewellery ; Claire Molloy, Claire Molloy Ceramics along with Justnya Mackowska, The Conker Tree and Susan Boland, Susan Boland Ceramics to mention just a few.

2017 #CreateKilkenny entrepreneurs involved in the pop-up shop are: Aisling McElwain Ceramics, Beloved Portraits, Creations by Suzanne, Indigo and Maker, Jackson Rhodes, Mol’s Tiles, Pretty Bowtique, Forrestial, Oonagh K Designs, Clare Carron Ceramics, MBM and  Carroll Craft. Another participant on the #CreateKilkenny programme is Debra Bowden. Debra will be holding an exhibition of new prints titled CAIRDEAS to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Japan in her Bamboo Baren Print Workshop, The HUB, Market Street, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny. The exhibition runs from 11th - 20th August 2017 during the Kilkenny Arts Festival and is open daily from 9am - 6pm.

For further information about the #CreateKilkeny pop-up shop which opens from  13^th until  20^th August, 10am – 6pm Monday to Saturday and 2pm -5 pm each Sunday, is available on #CreateKilkenny facebook and twitter.