Overview

To date my career has been focused on providing practical workshops, and education in Art in the community and in non-classroom environments.

I have supplemented my art practice through part time work in experimental areas of art education and project management for private business.

Returning home to County Louth in May 2005 after 13 years in Dublin. I have just completed a project – building a house and studio / workshop in Ardee Co. Louth which began in 2003.

On completion of my studio The Art Lab (Children’s Sculpture Workshops) opened in March 2008. Adult drawing classes are scheduled to start in April.

The Studio

Abbey Art Studios is a Creative Business based in Louth. It is a working sculpture studio that offers sculpture, drawing and painting classes to Children and Adults.

In 1998 a diary entry outlined the concept of Abbey Art Studios. I had a vision of a space that provided all the studio facilities for a sculpture practice but also to accommodate other that had an interest in learning new art skills. Majority of these courses available are in sterile classrooms or draughty community centres.

My previous experience facilitating workshops in types of institutions restricted the activities that could be offered. Any of the shared Sculpture studios and workspaces available to rent in Dublin City Centre had further restrictions on Public Liability and access.

In fact one of my last studios in Dublin was a cow shed near Dunsink dump. It made me even more determined to push forward with the plans for Abbey Art Studios. In 2005 a suitable site was located at home in Co. Louth and work commenced on design and execution of a build. It included a family home with integrated studio.

March 2008 Abbey Art Studios opened its doors.