Library & Arthouse Studios Stradbally

The Library and Arthouse Studios, Stradbally

The Arthouse and Library was officially opened by Minister Jimmy Deenihan, Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht on Friday 13th May 2011 Facilities include a community library, artists’ studios and living accommodation, an exhibition gallery, an equipped music rehearsal space, a kiln, and a garden space with a commissioned Percent for Art wall mounted artwork and a meeting room for the Laois Heritage Society.

There are four artists’ studios, two non-residential and two residential, available to professional artists, local, national and international artists on a yearly basis. The complex includes a fully equipped digital studio and a Craft studio with a kiln room. Laois County Council has forged a number of key partnerships to ensure the success of this new enterprise. These include the National College of Art and Design where a yearly bursary is available to a graduate from the NCAD to the value of €10,000. The Craftsperson Studio Scheme is in association with the Crafts Council of Ireland. The residencies offered are intended to support professional artists and craftspersons to develop their professional practice. Artists and craftspersons can express interest in availing of a studio by contacting the Arts Office on 057 8674344/42 at any time.

The music rehearsal space is also available for all individual musicians and groups to hire, by prior appointment by contacting: Laura on 057 8641740.

Under the percent for art scheme a stainless steel relief wall piece was created by Wicklow based artist James Hayes and it graces the garden wall of the studios. A limestone sculpture by Henk Korthuys was purchased for the front of the building, also funded by the Percent for Art scheme. This sculpture was made in Mc Keon’s Stone, Limestone Yard in Stradbally by Henk when he participated on their international artist visiting programme.

The new gallery programme is up and running at the Arthouse and it showcases: drawing, painting and sculptural works in contemporary and traditional mediums. Visiting children are invited to complete arts worksheets to broaden their imaginations. Or visit the Arthouse garden and view the percent for art sculptures. For more info call Laura Byrne on 057 86 41740 or email stradballyarthouse@hotmail.com

The Arthouse studios represent an important resource to add to the strong Arts Programme and strategies already present in the County, under the direction of Laois County Council. The initiative will be of real value to the ongoing Arts Programme, the community and the visual arts and design sector in Ireland. It will also represent an important pathway for artists from outside Ireland to make a valuable contribution to widening and deepening public experiences and direct involvement in the arts. The combination of crafts workers and artists using the Arthouse Studios will be lively and exciting. Every support and assistance will be given to artists and craftspeople through mentoring, programming and exhibition opportunities.

Since the facility opened a number of events and activities have taken place including:

Filming by TG4, the Arts Officers spring conference, performances by Stradbally Youth Theatre and Laois School of Music, community workshops for adults, summer arts workshops for young people and workshops for children visiting from Chernobyl. A number of exciting events are scheduled to take place for National Culture Night on 23rd September.

Visitors are welcome to visit the Arthouse from 2pm to 4pm Monday to Friday.

For further information, please contact Muireann Ní Chonaill, at The Arts Office, Laois County Council, 057 8674344/42 & 087-2257512, or email artsoff@laoiscoco.ie.

Per Cent for Art Commission

Laois County Council invited submissions Under the percent for art scheme for a Public Outdoor Visual Arts Relief Piece for the Library & Arthouse Studios, at Stradbally, Co Laois.

This commission was awarded to Wicklow based artist James Hayes. The proposal which is called "GROWTH" presents a large eye-catching contmeporary sculpture and will be erected on the garden wall of the studio, which is due for completion in late March 2011.

Front view of wall

Side view of wall