The much-anticipated Grennan Mill graduate show is coming next week! Opening on Friday May 22nd and running through the weekend, this exciting exhibition of emerging craftspeople is not to be missed. The students of the craft school at Island Mill campus of the KCETB in Thomastown have been hard at work for two years honing their skills under the instruction of their world-class tutors.
The tutors at the school are not only excellent instructors, but accomplished and well-known craftspeople in their own right, making for a truly hands-on learning experience. Students at the school explore Woven Textiles (Catherine Ryan), Printmaking (Maeve Coulter), Silversmithing (Eva Lynch) and Ceramics (Karen Morgan), complemented by other foundational subjects such as Design (Mary Ann Gelly) and Drawing (Catherine O’Keeffe).
Through these studies, graduates have developed the creative and technical skills needed to progress in the field of contemporary art, craft and design. Many former students have gone on to study at NCAD, Crawford College of Art and Design, as well as the DCCI Jewellery and Ceramics degree courses in Thomastown, among other opportunities.
The school is a huge part of Kilkenny’s craft and design heritage, opening in 1981 under the direction of George Vaughan in the original Grennan Mill building, before moving to the current Island Mill building a few years later. In recent years, it has become the KCETB College of Further Education and Training, Island Mill Campus. Some of Ireland’s most exceptional craftspeople have attended the school in its 45 year history, and its influence reaches further afield too. Students come from all over Europe and beyond, from all ages and walks of life, creating a lively and diverse environment.
This year’s graduates will join an alumni which boasts some of Ireland’s finest artists, so the graduate show is a terrific opportunity to get a sneak peek at the artists and craftspeople of tomorrow. You can even take home some of the artwork! There will be works for sale across the whole range of crafts undertaken at the Mill, so there is truly something for everyone.
The historic mill building sitting on the beautiful banks of the River Nore is well worth a visit in its own right, having inspired artists and students for decades. Many of this year’s graduates took inspiration from their unique surroundings, informing some stunning pieces of art. As well as the artwork on show, the curious among you can get a look behind the curtain into the design process, with many of the graduates’ sketchbooks available to peruse at your leisure. The students from both years organise the show as part of the Exhibition Techniques module, transforming the working school building into an expansive gallery space.
The graduates have undertaken two one year QQI courses, progressing from Arts, Crafts and Design to Advanced Craft Studies in the second year. If you want to join the wonderful community of artists at the Mill, go to collegeoffetkilkenny.ie and apply for Arts, Craft and Design (Island Mill Campus). Applications are open now.
Opening night is Friday 22nd of May at 6.30pm and all are welcome! The exhibition will run from Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th May, 10am to 6pm daily in Island Mill Campus, Thomastown R95 NN8X.
