Tag Archives: Listowel

Mosaics in Ireland? Listowel Arts Festival with Mireille Swinnen

21 Feb

Listowel Arts Festival
June 20 – 24, 2018
Workshop Prices Vary

Coinciding with the summer solstice, this inaugural international fine art festival will celebrate the work of local and visiting visual artists, and harness our collective energies to collaborate, learn and create.

Belgian mosaic artist Mireille Swinnen will teach two workshops at the festival while in Listowel for an artist residency with Irish artist Olive Stack.

Mireille Ireland Festival, image by Brenda Pokorny

Work by Student Brenda Pokorny

Workshop: Mosaic – River of Smalti
Instructor: Mireille Swinnen
Date: Friday June 22 – Sunday, June 24, 2018
Time: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Skill Level: All Levels
Venue: Olive Stack Gallery
Fee: €400 (includes materials)
Maximum Participants: 8

In this three-day workshop you’ll get a chance to experience what it is like to work with smalti in a painterly style, but more importantly how to work with a full palette of colors in smalti. Starting out from an image you bring in or one we find together, the instructor will help you translate your image into mosaic by explaining one-on-one and every step along the way what choice of colors to use, what shape to give your tesserae, what andamento to use, where to put your lights and darks, why to use warm or cold colors, why big or small pieces, etc etc., until you achieve the desired result.

This is a fool-proof procedure.  No matter what your skills are, you will go home with a serious understanding of what smalti can do for your mosaics and the piece that you walk away with will be a work of art, not just a sample.

As a surplus and to further your better understanding of good mosaics, each day, the instructor will show a vast array of mosaics on powerpoint for you to examine and for her to demonstrate how these powerful techniques are used in the very appealing works of the Spilimbergo students, one of the major mosaic schools in Italy.

Mireille Micro Mosaics Ireland WorkshopWorkshop: Micro Mosaic
Instructor: Mireille Swinnen
Date: Wed 20th & Thurs 21st June 2018
Time: 9.30am – 5.30 pm
Skill Level: All Levels
Venue: Olive Stack Gallery
Fee: €150 (Includes Materials)
Maximum Participants: 9

In this two day workshop, you’ll learn how to cut and manipulate pre-shaped filati in order to create a unique pendant.  Various shapes of filati will be introduced and the different use of the petals and shapes will be demonstrated to form a variety of flowers.  Mireille will discuss possible types of adhesives and traditional filati cutting, as well as the resources to obtain these kinds of materials.

Listowel Visual Arts Week welcomes the return of many former Olive Stack Gallery Artists in Residence to teach workshops, exhibit and reunite with friends in Listowel – the creative home of this growing international family of artists! The festival will mark the 20th anniversary of Olive Stack Gallery (Est 1998), celebrate the residency and the growing and thriving visual arts scene in the heritage town of Listowel, Co Kerry, Ireland.

See the full list of classes offered or register here.

SONY DSCAbout Mireille:

Mireille is Belgian by nationality but has lived abroad all her adult life. She spent the past four years on a tour through California teaching workshops on how to use smalti in a painterly style, her preferred medium of expression. Mireille is a proud and celebrated member of Society of American Mosaic Artists and Contemporary Mosaic Artists. Her work his widely coveted and collected.

Over the next three years, Mireille hopes to bring much-needed foreign exposure and new techniques to her most dedicated students in her Belgium based studio, the Orsoni studio in Venice, Italy, and through sporadic tours to the US East and West coast.

 

Irish at Heart Artisan Tour and Workshop

17 Aug

Irish at Heart Artisan Tour and Workshop
with Jean Cauthen, Laura McRae-Hitchcock, and Pam Goode
Painting, Mosaic, Creative Writing
May 19 – 28, 2017
$2600, Double Occupancy; $3100, Single Occupancy

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;
Nine bean rows will I have there, a hive for the honey bee,
And live alone in the bee loud glade.  ~ William Butler Yeats

Join us for a tour along the wondrously wild Atlantic coast of Ireland as we visit the artisans inspired by this land of rugged natural beauty. We’ll also offer a wide range of classes in painting, mosaic, plein air work, and creative writing, as well as demos by local artists.

Our base will be Listowel in County Kerry, only eight miles from the sea and a thriving town filled with Irish charm, fabulous locally grown food, theatre, art, traditional pubs, scones to die for, parks and a lush riverwalk, castle ruins, and easy access to all parts of a country you can drive across in five hours.

Days will be spent in your choice of a variety of classes, plein air painting sessions, open studio, lecture/demos, and artist visits. Evenings will include a gourmet Irish cooking class, local music, local theatre, pub theatre featuring local writers (and insanely good Guinness), and local cuisine.

Excursions begin with the Cliffs of Moher, a half-day visit to one of the Aran Islands, and a ferry ride for a close-up and personal view of the cliffs and bird life from the water. A mid-week excursion will take us to the atmospheric Dingle Peninsula, with incredible coastline views from Slea Head Drive and visits to several of the local artisans who create here. Along the way we’ll have stops for painting and/or photography and shelling.

Accommodations

Ireland TravelGroup accommodations will be at Listowel Arms Hotel, Town Square. The hotel features double and single rooms with private bath, town or river views, restaurant, bar, sitting areas, and a delightful terrace on the river. The Arms is located one block from our studio space at Olive Stack Gallery; additionally some classes may be held at the hotel. One night may be at the Cliffs on Ballybunion Beach. Lodging for our Ballyvaughan overnight will be at a hotel similar to the Arms.

Workshop Space

In addition to plein air painting in numerous locations around town and beyond, mosaic workshops and Open Studio will be held in the bright and spacious studio at Olive Stack Gallery. Other locations may include the Listowel Arms and personal artist studios. Transportation will be provided if necessary.

Workshop Options by Jean, Laura and Pam

All registrants will be able to participant in any and all workshops of their choosing, time permitting, regardless of medium or instructor. Workshops are still being added, but selections will include:

  • Plein Air Painting (Multiple Options)
  • Studio Painting
  • Building a Pochade Box for Plein Air Painting
  • Photograph Manipulation for Painting or Mosaic
  • Working with Color
  • Mosaic Landscapes
  • Mosaic Techniques
  • Encaustic Demonstration by Olive Stack
  • Painting Demonstration by Jim Dunne
  • Cooking Class
  • Creative/Travel Writing for Journals
  • Quick Sketch
  • Travel Watercolor Journaling
  • Pebble/Sea Glass Jewelry
  • Open Studio

NOTE: Local participants are welcome to register for classes a la carte. Please contact Laura to be added to the mailing list when the schedule is finalized.

Tentative Schedule, Subject to Change

  • Painting in IrelandThursday, May 18: Depart for Ireland, Shannon Airport (SNN)
  • Friday, May 19: Morning Shannon Arrival, group airport pickup at Noon, departure for Cliffs of Moher and overnight in Ballyvaughan
  • Saturday, May 20: Ferry to and morning on Aran Islands, ferry beneath Cliffs of Moher, transfer to Listowel, hotel check-in and dinner (included)
  • Sunday, May 21: Morning and Afternoon workshops of your choice, painting demo and talk by Jim Dunne, local painter and muralist, walking tour of Listowel with local historian, cooking class for half the group, others dinner at Listowel Arms (included)
  • Monday, May 22: Morning and Afternoon workshops or plein air painting, Encaustic demo and talk by Olive Stack, local artist, cooking class for half the group, others dinner at Listowel Arms (included)
  • Tuesday, May 23: Early Departure for Dingle Peninsula, tour, visit artisans, paint, photography, return to Listowel, dinner Listowel Arms (included)
  • Wednesday, May 24: Morning and Afternoon workshops or plein air painting, local discovery excursions, BBQ with Olive Stack (included)
  • Thursday, May 25: Morning and Afternoon workshops or plein air painting, local discovery excursions, dinner on your own, optional event at St. John’s Theatre
  • Friday, May 26: Morning workshop or plein air painting, exhibition set-up, Gallery Exhibition and Reception for group, 6-9:00 Club with locals, Pub Theatre
  • Saturday, May 27: Open Studio and interactive exercises,  farewell lunch catered by Lizzie’s Little Kitchen (included), mid-afternoon departure for Shannon, tour of local ruins and local lore with Damian, dinner on your own, Park Inn Hotel (one-minute walk from Shannon Airport Check-In) (included)
  • Sunday, May 28: Return Flights

Cost: $2600 Per Person, Double Occupancy; $3100 Per Person, Single Occupancy. DISCOUNTS: Payments by check or cash may deduct $75 from the final payment. $100 Discount for those not participating in any classes. $100 Discount for repeat students of Jean Cauthen, Laura McRae-Hitchcock, or Pam Goode. Maximum allowed discount is $175 from total price. Discounts do not apply to local à la carte students.

Included

  • Airport Transfer Both Ways on Dates Shown Only
  • 9 Nights Lodging
  • 4 Dinners, 1 Lunch, 9 Breakfasts
  • All Excursions, Transportation, Admissions Listed
  • All Artist Demos Listed

Not Included

  • Airfare
  • Meals Not Listed Above
  • Alcohol
  • Personal Purchases or Excursions
  • Trip Insurance (Recommended)

What They Say

“I would follow you anywhere.” California. “It was truly one of the top adventures of my life.” Michigan. “This trip has been so far beyond anything I expected.” Anon. “Everything was simply wonderful!  From the perfect location, size and comfort of our apartment to the transportation, to your generous spirits. But I most appreciated the pace of the trip as I never felt rushed or pushed and the free time gave me space to explore alone.  All of my needs were met beyond my expectations. I have already recommended you to someone and will gladly do so over and over again.” Montana

To register or for more information, email Pam. The combined information/fine print/registration form includes payment information, travel insurance suggestions, deadlines, etc. Information on flights, accommodations, and a full list of workshops will be emailed to participants. Registrations will be accepted with 50% payment.

Affiliations: This workshop is part of the Ciel Abroad program at Ciel Gallery, and is also affilitated with Olive Stack Gallery in Listowel, County Kerry.

About the Instructors

Ireland Art WorkshopJean Cauthen grew up in Naples, Italy, New Orleans and the Carolinas, completing her education with an MFA  (Painting and Drawing) at James Madison University in Virginia. Her art career has led her to Moscow, Russia as a set designer, and she regularly returns to Italy (sometimes with students). When not working plein air, she creates large scale paintings in her studio near Charlotte, NC. “My concentration is simple. No matter the subject, my focus is color against color. Shape with shape. Mark to mark. From this, and with care, expression and meaning can emerge.” www.jeancauthen.com

Ireland Art WorkshopLaura McRae-Hitchcock has been painting for over 30 years. She is a partner artist and teacher with Ciel Gallery and recent Artist in Residence at Olive Stack Gallery in Listowel, Ireland. Additionally, she is a 2016 participant in the nationally celebrated ArtPop program and grant recipient from the Arts and Science Council. “I try to get to the heart of the matter….my heart, that is. I’ve given up trying to be perfect, and instead I focus on finding that space where my heart speaks with paint. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but wow, what a ride it is!”   www.lauramcraehitchcock.com

Ireland Art WorkshopPam Goode is a mosaic artist, writer, founding partner at Ciel Gallery, and founder of Mosaic Art Retreats. An avid traveler, Pam is most inspired by being in unfamiliar surrounds where every sight, every thought, is new. “I see everything differently — feel everything differently — and the ability to communicate my own transformation though art thrills me.” A lifelong writer, Pam has been creating mosaics for sixteen years, working with a wide variety of materials. “My goal is to bring a sense of joy, wonder, or peace to viewers. I need to create a mosaic that sings, that resonates, that helps you remember who you are and where you want to go with vibrating clarity.” www.pamelagoodemosaics.com

 

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