CONNEMARA ATU GALWAY-MAYO

Out of the Woods - An Exhibition of Furniture Designed and Made by Final Year Students

An exhibition of furniture designed by final year students of the B.Sc (Hons) in Furniture Design and Manufacture programme was showcased in the gallery space of Joyce’s Craft Shop Recess, Connemara. The winner of the inaugural Joyce’s Craft Shop Design & Make Award was announced at the opening reception on Wednesday the 10th of May. Matthew Sexton was the deserving recipient of the award along with a cheque for €1000 kindly sponsored by Mark Joyce. Mathew’s chair was inspired by the intersecting joints of construction scaffolding fixtures and demonstrated an innovative approach to the design brief which was created by ATU Connemara lecturer Jeremy Madden. Joyce's Craft Shop, since the '60s, and the Recess gallery showcase top Irish craft highlighting design and quality. The Design & Make Award by Joyce's Craft Shop supports Irish design and craftsmanship standards for emerging designers. Our next exhibition, ‘Trees to Treasure’ showcasing excellence and innovation in furniture, design, manufacturing, technology and education by our students, staff and graduates will be taking place will be taking place in Farmleigh Gallery, Farmleigh, Dublin which runs this Summer from 19th May to 27th August 2023. Details of these exhibitions and the students work can be viewed on Instagram @atuconnemara

First year student teachers of our Art and Design & Communication Graphics degree spent a day on Lettergesh beach in Connemara as part of their Creative Disciplines - Art and Design module. Students worked collaboratively with local natural materials like stones and seaweed to create an amazing art sculpture. Graduates of this programme, which is accredited by the Teaching Council, will be qualified to teach post-primary subjects of Art and Design & Communication Graphics. For more information on this course, check out atu.ie/au620

Work Begins on State-of-the-Art Creative Enterprise Hub

On April 20th this year, Simon Coveney, TD, Minister for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, placed a ceremonial brick officially marking the construction of the CREW Creative Enterprise Hub located at ATU’s Galway City (Wellpark Road) campus.

The state-of-the-art CREW Creative Enterprise Hub is the first hub in the West region focused on the development of startup and early-stage companies in the Creative Industries.

The CREW Hub will provide shared and own-door enterprise space, collaboration areas and event space. It will house 150 Creative Technology and Creative Digital entrepreneurs in game development, animation, immersive technology, content creation and digital design.

CREW was founded by Atlantic Technological University Galway City (Wellpark Road), the Western Development Commission and Ardán.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Coveney said he was delighted to be in Galway to take part in the brick laying ceremony and to see, via VR, the completed state-of-art

CREW Creative Enterprise Hub.

“Creative Technology is emerging as a key area of opportunity, with the convergence of art, design, and technology opening new possibilities for businesses and entrepreneurs in the region to drive economic growth. The acceleration and

Commendations for Students at Irish Wood Awards

Each year the final year students from Art, Design, and Film and Documentary, hold a Graduate Exhibition showcasing their work from the past year.

On June 2nd, the exhibition will be launched in ATU Galway City, Wellpark Road and opens to the public on Saturday, June 3rd, for one week. To view work from our students, check out our online gallery on atu.ie/sdca-gallery

Change Makers Exhibit Highlights New Irish Designers

development of Irish companies through facilities like this is supported by my Department through Enterprise Ireland and I would like to congratulate Atlantic Technological University Galway City, the Western Development Commission, Ardán and Enterprise Ireland on this.”

“We See You, We Hear You” Art Installation Marks COPE Galway 40th Anniversary

A new art installation in Galway City, commissioned by the charity COPE has been unveiled to mark the domestic abuse network's 40th anniversary.

The sculpture titled, "We See You, We Hear You", was created by ATU Galway City, Wellpark Road graduate, Maura Finnegan, who collaborated with women that have used COPE's domestic abuse service and members of its staff.

The work is made up of seven display cases on plinths with six containing:

"Heads sculpted from plaster that depict different women. Each one has a QR code that plays an audio recording of an anonymous COPE Galway service user telling the story of her real experience of domestic abuse."

The seventh box is left empty to represent the women who have lost their lives because of domestic violence.

Details of exhibitions, students and alumni work can be viewed on Instagram @artatugalway

Design Week Ireland 2022 is a week-long national programme of event convened by Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI).

The Change Makers exhibit as part of Design Week 2022 was a curated selection of graduate work spanning the disciplines of Textiles and Fashion Design, Graphic Design and Illustration, Animation and Product Design hosted on ATU Galway City Campus, Wellpark rd, 14th November 2022.

The selected works showcased our new Irish designers as they explore themes of concern within contemporary society.

The Irish Wood Awards is an annual event organised by Forest Industries Ireland. This event is supported by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Enterprise Ireland, The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, Rotary Ireland, Society of Irish Foresters and Design & Crafts Council of Ireland.

ATU Connemara students Daniel Stratford and Maighread Bussmann were two of seven third-level Wood Design, Research and Furniture projects that were shortlisted in the RIAI Irish Wood Awards 2022. Highly commended was Luke O’Connor for his research ‘a guide to estimate the carbon footprint of furniture using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). For information on the courses available at ATU Connemara visit atu.ie/connemara

Industry Day Brings Employers and Students Together

Luke O’Connor is a past pupil of Boherbue Comprehensive School, Co.Cork and now a graduate of our Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Furniture Design and Manufacture. We asked him about his time studying in ATU Connemara, his work placement and his current role now as a recent graduate.

What did you like most about studying Furniture Design and Manufacture?

Studying Furniture Design and Manufacture at ATU Connemara was an amazing experience for me. The practical classes in the first year were engaging, and we covered all basics of the course. I enjoyed living in nearby student accommodation and joining the football team.

Can you tell me about your work placement?

For my work placement in the third year, I assisted makers in the workshop and installation of finished pieces at Joseph Walsh Studio in Cork. This was a great opportunity to learn more about the design and manufacturing process.

What did you enjoy most about studying in ATU Connemara?

I loved the practical side of the degree along with the great friends and supportive lectures there.

During my final year I found we were really being prepared for industry, we did project management, CAD/CAM along with a major project. I feel very privileged to have received the James & Mary Elis Award, at the end of the year based off a piece of work I had made, along with commitment and character as a student in ATU Connemara.

Any advice for students considering ATU Connemara on their CAO?

I loved my time there, it's got great facilities and staff and I‘d highly recommend ATU Connemara for anyone interested in design or working with their hands.

This March, ATU Connemara held an on-campus Industry Day. This event provided the students with a chance to learn about the wide range of successful companies operating in the wood and interiors sector in Ireland. 14 companies presented either in person or online. Each representative gave an overview of their company and the placement and job opportunities that are available to students.

Presentations were followed by a panel discussion where students could ask questions.

Events like this are important to network with industry and help 2nd year students choose a placement company for their year-long placement in 3rd year. These events also inform 4th years about the career options available to them after graduation in June.

What career path did you choose after graduating?

After graduating, I was offered a full-time role at Joseph Walsh Studio, where I continue to learn from talented individuals from diverse backgrounds in the industry.