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Cow House Studios
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Description
Since their first year in 2008 Cow House Studios artist residency program has provided studio space for professional visual artists working in any discipline. These residencies offer a valuable support structure for emerging and mid-career artists and bring critically engaging contemporary work to the rural community. The organziers are committed to creating an inspirational environment for artists to explore and challenge new ideas, facilitating both individual research and interdisciplinary interaction.
Artists share the large, adaptable studio allowing them to become acquainted with and challenged by one another's work. Additionally, artists are provided with comfortable shared accommodation where participants regularly enjoy great meals and conversation. Over the years they have changed and expanded their offerings to include residencies designed for artists at all levels, educators and curators.
The organizers continue to develop new programming independently as well as in collaboration with key national and international organisations. These partnerships offer unique opportunities for the exhibition and publication of new works as well as professional development through facilitated discussions, public talks, workshops and studio visits. With the generous support of Wexford County Council, they will continue to expand upon these offerings and experiment with new residency models aimed to support the artistic community.
Outcome
Residency outcomes vary depending on the programme.
Studio Information
The studios are housed in a converted stone barn. Built in 1915, it was a working “cow house” until 2006. With its dense stone walls, abundant natural light, and high ceiling supported by striking wooden beams, the Cow House is architecturally unique at twice the width of typical Irish stone barns. Today, the 343 m2 (3700 ft2) open plan studio contains a darkroom, computer lab and lounge. The studios were designed for flexibility of use, the Cow House contains 4 individual spaces, and a shared open studio floor for larger group projects and alternative working methods.
The well-equipped black & white darkroom is capable of making prints up to 50 x 60 cm (20 x 24 in), and our computer lab consists of Apple Macintosh computers, a high-resolution film scanner, an Epson 4900 printer, Adobe Creative Suite and wireless broadband. We have two Nikon D3300 Digital SLR cameras with a variety of lenses, a selection of tripods, studio lights and seamless background papers. Artists may also use our various manual and electric hand tools including a table saw, mitre saw, router, wood plane, circular saw, jig saw, a variety of sanders and power drills in addition to a selection of clamps fasteners and glues.
Supplies provided at the studio include a selection of papers including, newsprint, 100, 150 & 300-gram cartridge paper, 300-gram watercolour paper and a selection of coloured A3 pastel papers. We also have 10 oz (339 gram) unprimed cotton canvas that measures 183cm wide. The studio is stocked with student grade watercolour & gouache by Reeves, a variety of water-based inks by Winsor Newton, Daler Rowney System 3 acrylic paint, student grade oil paint by Winsor Newton, solvent, gesso and a variety of mediums.
Artists may avail of disposable paint palettes, palette knives, brushes and oil dippers. Additionally, the studio is also regularly stocked to ensure we have plenty of darkroom chemicals, ink for the printers, graphite pencils, charcoal, colour pencils, watercolour pencils, oil pastels, chalk pastels, markers, erasers, scissors, sharp Exacto knives, cutting mats, masking tape, drawing clips, fixative and PVA glue, A3 & A1 size drawing boards and easels.
Accommodation Information
Beside the studio lies the accommodation. The 300-year-old barn has been transformed to provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere for the guests. The shared experience of living, eating and spending time together, forms an integral part of life at the Cow House. The Barn contains five en-suite bedrooms, a cosy dining room, a large living area, an expanding visual arts library, and a busy kitchen where Caitriona and Frank prepare home cooked food. Depending on the programme, artists may be offered a private room or share with up to three other artists.
Location
Cow House Studios is located in rural farmland. The closest village, Rathnure is three miles away, and has a pub, shop, and post office. The nearest town, Enniscorthy is twelve miles away.
