Open Studio: Trailblazers, Rule Breakers, Art Makers 

We are delighted to welcome three artists to take up residency in our studio during July and August as part of our programme of events for Lavinia Fontana, Trailblazer, Rule Breaker. 

A core ambition of the Education Programme at the Gallery is to encourage learning through and about art. We create opportunities for everyone to engage with their national collection. We support contemporary artists in developing their practice. Throughout July and August, invited artists will take up residency in the Education Studio. Considering Fontana from their unique perspectives and practices, they will create a dynamic environment encouraging visitors to engage, experiment and make. All materials are provided, and all ages, abilities and nationalities are supported.

The Education Studio is on level 1 of the Gallery and is fully accessible by lift from the Clare Street Entrance, and at the same level as the Merrion Square Entrance. Toilets, accessible toilets, baby changing, and a Changing Places facility are located near the Studio. The Education Team are on hand to support.

Open Studio drop-in sessions will take place from 4 July until 26 August on the following dates and times. These sessions are free, and there's no need to book.

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday | 10.30am - 4.30pm
Thursday | 10.30am - 7.30pm

Open Studio details:

Tuesday 4 July - Saturday 15 July
Painting and Palette with artist Eileen O’Sullivan 
Eileen O’Sullivan is a Dublin/Meath based painter. She studied painting at the National College of Art and Design Ireland, The Royal College of Art Antwerp and participated in the Turps Correspondence course for Painting, London. A member of Pallas Studios and represented by Hang Tough Contemporary Gallery, her work is in collections at the Office of Public Works, Trinity College Dublin and the National University of Ireland. Eileen is a member of the Artist Panel at the Gallery since 2018, working with diverse audiences across multiple settings.
 

Tuesday 18 July - Saturday 29 July
Costume and Textiles with Artist Fiona Harrington
Fiona Harrington is a visual artist who uses handmade lace as an integral part of her practice. She has studied Fine Art, Textile Design and Lacemaking and her work explores themes relating to traditional women’s work, domestic spaces, memory and loss. She has travelled extensively giving talks and providing demonstrations on Irish Lace and received numerous awards and accolades to date. Fiona is a member of the Gallery Artist Panel since 2015. 
 

Tuesday 1 August - Saturday 12 August
Portraiture and Figure with artist Fergus Byrne
Fergus Byrne studied Fine Art at the National College of Art and Design. He then pursued performance art while maintaining a strong drawing practice. He taught life drawing for many years at Trinity Arts Workshop to a wide variety of audiences. Fergus joined the Gallery Artist Panel and Guide Panel in 2017 which has expanded his art education practice and brought about a renewed interest in painting. 

Tuesday 15 August - Saturday 26 August
Trailblazers Rule Breakers, Art Makers with Gallery Youth Panel 
The Gallery Youth Panel is a group of young people (ages 16 – 25) from diverse backgrounds working together to find, make, and share impactful experiences for young people interested in, or curious about, art.
 

Studio Team: 

Studio Co-Ordinator: Sarah Ward 
Sarah Ward is an artist-educator. She graduated from Goldsmiths University of London with an MA in Arts and Learning in 2019 and holds a BA in Fine Art and History of Art from the National College of Art and Design, 2015. Sarah’s practice research is informed by her dual role as artist and educator exploring space, place, embodiment, and pedagogy. Sarah is a core member of both the Gallery Artist Panel and Guide Panel since 2015.

Studio Assistant: Emeir Stanley
Emeir Stanley is a post-primary teacher and museum practitioner with significant experience in inclusive education practices. She received her double joint honours BA in English and History from Maynooth University in 2014, obtained an MSc in Renaissance, Early Modern Studies and Art History from the University of Edinburgh in 2015, and completed her Professional Masters in Education from Trinity College Dublin in 2019. Emeir is a core member of the Gallery Guide Panel since 2015. 
 

This event is part of a programme of events complementing the exhibition Lavinia Fontana: Trailblazer, Rule Breaker, which is on view 6 May – 27 August 2023.

Lavinia Fontana: Trailblazer, Rule Breaker is proudly supported by Bank of America, Exhibition Partner.

The Gallery would like to thank the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for their ongoing support.