AIR 2010

AIR 2010 is Art in Residence week which is an event which I have been running in the University of Limerick this week. The event offers students who live on campus the chance to select a framed piece of from a collection to hang in their house or apartment for the duration of their stay on campus. Doing so, allows students to add a personal touch to their home and gives them access to professional work they might not otherwise see.

In order to make the event even better this year, I jazzed it up! This week students were offered the chance to take part in free taster art classes. Four different classes in ceramics, life drawing, painting and manga drawing took places in three student villages and each one proved to be popular. There was also a film night where the film Frida, depicting the life of Spanish painter Frida Kahlo was shown and finally we had the Art Bus.

The Art bus was a free trip into a number of destinations in Limerick city. First stop was the Hunt Museum who offered us a very interesting tour around their permanent collection as well as a look at their current exhibition. Next, we made out way to Occupy Space studios and finally to the wonderful printmakers who took time to show the students various printing techniques as well as a tour around their gallery space and studios.

Although UL is not known as an art college, it was great to see interest from so many students during the week!

Back to College!

Yup I'm a pesky student once more!! A part time pesky student that is! I'm one week into that part MA that is ahem....cue very long title... Masters in Art & Design - Social Practice and The Creative Environment, or MAD SPACE for short - nifty short name eh?

One week in, and I with three others are first up for our group presentation next Thursday...ah sure it might be a bonus to be first up!!! (or at least that's what I'm telling myself and each other!)

On another note.....How on earth will I juggle everything? I'm already finding it weird alternating my thinking!! One minute its all Village talk and disciplinary meetings, the next its "But yes..hmmm, is it REALLY art?" and then its "Oh yea, I said I'd make some cards for her! and I really have to update my Etsy shop!"... I, my friends shall become a lady of juggling talents! If you have any time management ideas out there (apart from cloning myself!) do share!

Right, I'm off to do some research on the legacy an artist can give to a community! Suggestions welcome!

Today I Heart....

.....so many things from the Etsy Ireland shops!!

Here's a little selection:

How GORGEOUS is this hat by Bonzie!! I recently spotted a similar piece when they were exhibiting at the Limerick Milk Market. They are simply beautiful, statement pieces to treasure and I want one sooooo bad!! Time to start saving!

I have to admit, I've had my eye on this jacket for some time now! Its simplistic style is right up my street and its the kind of jacket you could dress up or down. I love it! I also love the shop it came from, Dandelion Daydreamer!

A pretty Queen Anne button ring curtosy of Magpie and Button, not only is her jewellery innovative and oh so cute, but her packaging is to die for! It's something that I'm trying to work on myself!

Enjoy!!! :)

Claiming Our Future Event

Hey everyone!!!

First of all it may have seemed that I have disappeared of the face of the plant or indeed Etsy itself. I've been working on lots of custom orders away from Etsy and some wedding work too (I'll upload some images soon).

However I would like to try and draw your attention to the following event. The Claiming Our Future Event is taking place in the RDS, Dublin on October 30th and will be a platform for all you great people out there to have say in the future of Ireland. It's not an event that has been orgnanised by any political party or trade union, its simply a day when people with all types of background and experience can come together to exchange ideas about making change in Ireland. Below is some information taken from their website

Ireland is at a critical moment. You can help turn this crisis into a positive turning point.
Claiming our Future is a unique event. It offers a chance for people, trade unions, community organisations, environmental groups and other civil society organisations to not just talk about a better way – but to take new inspiring steps. It aims to foster a unity across civil society and to power a progressive movement to reshape Ireland’s recovery and claim our social values.

Claiming our Future will launch and mould that movement for an equal, sustainable and thriving Ireland. Already, individuals, communities and progressive groups from every corner of Ireland
have begun to get involved.

Personally I will be attending the event and meeting up with friends who will be there also and I'll be undertaking some research for my masters (more on that later!). I really think the Etsy people of Ireland could and have some great, inspiring ideas that will contribute in a positive way to the above event! Entry is free into the event, but you do need to register at www.claimingourfuture.ie

Hope to see you there!