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Art Attack - IT Carlow Staff Display Their Artistic Talents in Inaugural Exhibition

20/05/2019

IT Carlow Staff Display Their Artistic Talents in Inaugural ExhibitionInstitute of Technology Carlow today launched its inaugural Staff Art Workshop Exhibition of artwork by staff members who signed up for a series of art workshops earlier this year.

The exhibition comprises sketches, watercolour paintings and acrylic paintings from various staff members, including academic, professional services and the college chaplain. The exhibition features the work of: Aine Coady; Barbara Kinsella; Helena O’Brien; John Fogarty; Marian Purcell; Martin Smith; Mary Delaney; Nikki Bourke; Paula Rankin; Rachael Byrne; Sheila Long and Tracy Whyte.

The exhibition is curated by Jung-A Han, the Institute’s art management and promotion intern, who took up the mantle of teaching art to staff members in March in April.

A visual artist and former student of IT Carlow Wexford campus, where she studied Fine Art, Jung-A offered a weekly, on-campus lunchtime art workshop, open to all staff, for eight weeks throughout March and April. With all materials supplied to the participants, the classes encompassed workshops in sketching, watercolour painting and acrylic painting.

Speaking about the benefits of art workshops, Jung-A said, “Creating artworks and viewing the artworks can be very relaxing and help to reduce stress levels. A social event such as the art exhibition can also be very beneficial for those who took part in the workshops, as well as the staff and students who will experience the artworks during the exhibition.”

 “Each class started with a 10-15minute drawing workshop to relax and loosen their mind and hand.  I then introduced different techniques of drawing and different types of mediums to work with”, she added.

Marian Purcell, a staff member who attended the weekly workshops commented, “I had not painted in a long time, so the art class provided a great opportunity to refresh old skills. As a result, I have taken up painting again as a hobby and find it helps to give head space in a very busy life. Jung-A was always on hand to give expert guidance, she is an inspiring person and teacher.”

Fellow exhibitor Áine Coady said, “It was fantastic to have the time and space to rediscover a long-lost hobby. Jung-A made it so easy to get involved and the environment was very relaxed. The hour spent each week was really pleasurable, and it was so valuable to be able to take time doing something so different.”

The Staff Art Workshop Exhibition will be on display in the Central Services Building of IT Carlow until Friday 31st of May. The exhibition is free and all are welcome.