GMIT Mayo announces 4th Artists Residency Programme

The Mayo Campus of GMIT is delighted to welcome applications for this year’s summer residency programme in Castlebar. The residency provides opportunities for artists to research and develop their practice through the provision of studio space, access to GMIT’s Library facilities and participation in an exhibition on site in the historic Mayo campus.

The residency will take place over six weeks in July and August, and intending applicants are invited to email John.Mulloy@gmit.ie  or telephone 098 35371 by Friday 26 May, 2017, for more information and to arrange an interview.

“This is the fourth year the residency is running, and it has become an established part of the artistic landscape of County Mayo”, says Dr Mulloy.

“The four artists involved last year were all either graduates or current students of the part-time art degree courses on offer at the Mayo campus of GMIT. They spent time exploring the building and researching its story, exhibiting the results in a group show called Aura”. According to Katie Delaney, one of the artists, this theme was chosen because ‘the works reference time, reflection, residue and light, through exploring the building, its past history and how it functions today.’

Michael Gill, Acting Head of GMIT Mayo, says: “The residency programme is a great way of opening our doors to individuals who have an interest in art”.

The residency will be of most benefit to artists seeking space and quiet time to focus on their artistic development, and is aimed at both emerging and established artists. It will also be of interest to arts professionals who plan on taking a summer break from academic duties and who wish to explore and research from the West of Ireland.

Working in a shared space, the selected artists will have the opportunity to develop an informal exchange of ideas and influences and to share expertise. Participating artists are encouraged to explore possible future independent creative collaborations locally, regionally and nationally, especially through contacts with local arts organisations which may arise over the course of the summer.

For further information on art courses delivered in GMIT Mayo, the BA (Hons) in Fine Art, and the BA in Contemporary Art Practices, see http://www.gmit.ie/lifelong-learning/lifelong-learning-mayo