Event: Reflecting on Previous and Planning Future Bealtaine Festivals

The Gathering is a day of networking, showcasing good practice, discussion and feedback on the May Bealtaine festival. It is an opportunity to hear about the challenges and needs of the organisers, highlighting interesting and inspirational events from the previous festival, and providing practical support for local organisers.

This year’s event will take place in the beautiful surroundings of the National Gallery of Ireland and will bring together the Bealtaine community of organisers, artists, partners, and supporters to look at different issues of community, diversity and new directions in our work.

We’re also looking forward to hearing about issues facing organisers around the country and how we can better support the planning of fantastic events for Bealtaine 2024.

When: the 15th of November, from 10 AM until 4:30 PM.

For more information, visit their website – https://bealtaine.ie/tickets-for-the-gathering-2023/

FYI: Postage Label Scheme

The DCCI Postage Scheme is open exclusively to GANS members – including Feltmakers Ireland members.

DCCI has negotiated a flat rate of €4.95 + VAT for the postage of parcels weighing 0-20kg to destinations in the Republic of Ireland.

GANS can order labels on behalf of their members by submitting a fully completed order form and payment through the link below.

https://www.cognitoforms.com/DesignCraftsCouncilOfIreland1/DCCIPostageSchemeDCCIVATNoIE4103414L

All Feltmakers Ireland members are automatically members of GANS.

Linda Wilson Knitwear as seen on the DCCI website.

Education: Writing Creative Proposals Webinar – VAI

Visual Artists Ireland (VAI) has an online class for Writing Creative Proposals on the 12th of October.

Preparing proposals can be a challenging and time-consuming exercise for artists. There are open calls for commissions, exhibitions, residencies and funding. It’s not always easy to communicate a realised or an unrealised idea, and it can take time and effort to transform some blank A4 paper into a clear and creative proposal that will, hopefully, capture the imagination of a selection process or panel.

This webinar gives you practical advice on the do’s and don’ts of preparing and submitting creative proposals and assessing how different opportunities might be right for you. The webinar will case study best practices and include information on adjudication panels, dealing with feedback and using appropriate language. This webinar aims to submit better proposals, help you meet deadlines, and make better decisions.

The webinar is delivered by curator Kate Strain.

Date and Time: The 12th of October, from 11 AM until 12:30 PM.

For more information, visit their website – https://visualartists.ie/professional-development-_/#!event/2023/10/12/webinar-writing-creative-proposals

Event: Culture Night 2023

The eighteenth edition of Culture Night will occur on Friday, the 22nd of September, 2023.

Doors will open later, and special and unique events will be specifically programmed at participating locations. Thanks to the continued support of the Arts Council and Local Authorities across the island of Ireland, all activities will be available to the public free of charge.

You can search by genre, location, age, and start time. There is a lot happening!

To search for what’s happening, visit their website – https://culturenight.ie/

Opportunity: Wicklow Craft Foundation

The Wicklow Craft Foundation is a new not-for-profit community-oriented organisation established to promote local Craft and Design enterprises across all disciplines. Membership is open to anyone residing in County Wicklow who is interested in craft, art and design, including, craft practitioners, part-time crafters, educators, art therapists, craft retailers, craft consumers, architects etc. 

For more information, visit their website: http://www.wicklowcraftfoundation.ie 

Sad news: The Muddle is closing

We are very sorry to have to tell you the Muddle shop is closing.

There is a sale going on at the moment and will go on for a few weeks more.

Here is a message from Sharon:

Hi Everyone The shop is closing down over the next month or so. But The Muddle will continue. Any classes booked in for July and August will go ahead. Vouchers can be redeemed in the sale or at a later stage online at www.themuddle.ie We will still be teaching all our arts and crafts but in different venues. Sharon Wells fibre and textile art will continue as normal. The sale continues today.

We wish Sharon all the best going forward.