FORMATION OF WORKING ARTISTS ROSCOMMON
THE BEGINNING
In 1990 after working as an artist for a number of years, Noel Molloy placed a notice in the local media to see what interest there was in the Arts with the possibility of forming a support group. A meeting was held and a number of artists attended. Those involved at the initial stage were in favour of forming a group and after much discussion on the proposed aims, decided the name should reflect the artists situation of striving to create work. The name would stand against a general attitude that artists were hobbyists. WORKING ARTISTS ROSCOMMON (W.A.R) was born.
BUILDING THE GROUP
Further meetings were held and the group decided membership would follow the criteria used by The Artists Association of Ireland and The Sculpture Society of Ireland. A chairman, administrator, secretary and treasurer were elected. It was decided to seek venues for exhibitions, workshops and live events in galleries and alternative spaces. Collaborations with festivals and community events took place. On hearing about a vacant building in Roscommon town, W.A.R applied to Roscommon County Council for the use of, Edenville House; an RIC barracks built in 1702, one of the oldest buildings in Roscommon town. The building would house studio spaces and workshop facilities for the group. Roscommon County Council provided much support and in particular Mr. Derry O'Donnell County Secretary who had the foresight to see the benefits to Roscommon of supporting W.A.R.. Roscommon County Council were the first local authority nationally to support and maintain studios for an artists group. W.A.R provided public liability insurance and paid a peppercorn rent, free electricity and heating were provided by the County Council. As part of the original proposal for the building, W.A.R aim to renovate and develop the building into a Community Arts Centre. An application was made in collaboration with Roscommon Co. Co. to the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht and then Minister for Arts, Mr. Michael D. Higgins TD.
W.A.R / Roscommon Co. Co. were successful and received £250,000 to begin work on the building. When a County Arts Officer was appointed, Roscommon Arts Office took over the Arts Centre proposal as financially it was not possible for W.A.R to continue the application process but continued to have an imput. The second stage of the application identified a green field site for a new building to hold the Roscommon Arts Centre, while W.A.R retained the studios. Over the years many projects took place in Edenville House, most notably the CROSSROADS SYMPOSIUM '95 which involved national and international artists. The symposium organised by Noel Molloy and supported by W.A.R, allowed the opportunity for renowned artists to engage with spaces and people in Roscommon town. Http://www.crossroads95art.weebly.com
DECLARING W.A.R
W.A.R toured many exhibitions nationally and through individual members international connections, held events and exhibitions in Germany, Poland and Scotland. In turn, W.A.R hosted international artists in Roscommon and invited them to create events within the county. Working Artists Roscommon remains active to this day while individual members continue to pursue personal projects, nationally and internationally within their own practices. For W.A.R's 25th anniversary members will host an exhibition to launch this website, archiving W.A.R 's achievements throughout the years.
Original members; Batty O’Brien, Frances Crowe, Joe Cunniffe, Honor Fitzgerald, Helen Gibb, Anne Rigney, Dympna Molloy, Noel Molloy.
Current members; Frances Crowe, Joe Cunniffe, Honor Fitzgerald, Anne Rigney, Dympna Molloy, Noel Molloy.
The aims of the organisation:
-To support the members within the group and their individual projects.
-To promote the Arts in the midlands by bringing Contemporary Art to various events / venues. Accessibility is paramount.
-To initiate and support community groups and schools projects through workshops, teaching , demonstrations , exhibitions and live events.
Below Press Release, 1990, Roscommon Herald
THE BEGINNING
In 1990 after working as an artist for a number of years, Noel Molloy placed a notice in the local media to see what interest there was in the Arts with the possibility of forming a support group. A meeting was held and a number of artists attended. Those involved at the initial stage were in favour of forming a group and after much discussion on the proposed aims, decided the name should reflect the artists situation of striving to create work. The name would stand against a general attitude that artists were hobbyists. WORKING ARTISTS ROSCOMMON (W.A.R) was born.
BUILDING THE GROUP
Further meetings were held and the group decided membership would follow the criteria used by The Artists Association of Ireland and The Sculpture Society of Ireland. A chairman, administrator, secretary and treasurer were elected. It was decided to seek venues for exhibitions, workshops and live events in galleries and alternative spaces. Collaborations with festivals and community events took place. On hearing about a vacant building in Roscommon town, W.A.R applied to Roscommon County Council for the use of, Edenville House; an RIC barracks built in 1702, one of the oldest buildings in Roscommon town. The building would house studio spaces and workshop facilities for the group. Roscommon County Council provided much support and in particular Mr. Derry O'Donnell County Secretary who had the foresight to see the benefits to Roscommon of supporting W.A.R.. Roscommon County Council were the first local authority nationally to support and maintain studios for an artists group. W.A.R provided public liability insurance and paid a peppercorn rent, free electricity and heating were provided by the County Council. As part of the original proposal for the building, W.A.R aim to renovate and develop the building into a Community Arts Centre. An application was made in collaboration with Roscommon Co. Co. to the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht and then Minister for Arts, Mr. Michael D. Higgins TD.
W.A.R / Roscommon Co. Co. were successful and received £250,000 to begin work on the building. When a County Arts Officer was appointed, Roscommon Arts Office took over the Arts Centre proposal as financially it was not possible for W.A.R to continue the application process but continued to have an imput. The second stage of the application identified a green field site for a new building to hold the Roscommon Arts Centre, while W.A.R retained the studios. Over the years many projects took place in Edenville House, most notably the CROSSROADS SYMPOSIUM '95 which involved national and international artists. The symposium organised by Noel Molloy and supported by W.A.R, allowed the opportunity for renowned artists to engage with spaces and people in Roscommon town. Http://www.crossroads95art.weebly.com
DECLARING W.A.R
W.A.R toured many exhibitions nationally and through individual members international connections, held events and exhibitions in Germany, Poland and Scotland. In turn, W.A.R hosted international artists in Roscommon and invited them to create events within the county. Working Artists Roscommon remains active to this day while individual members continue to pursue personal projects, nationally and internationally within their own practices. For W.A.R's 25th anniversary members will host an exhibition to launch this website, archiving W.A.R 's achievements throughout the years.
Original members; Batty O’Brien, Frances Crowe, Joe Cunniffe, Honor Fitzgerald, Helen Gibb, Anne Rigney, Dympna Molloy, Noel Molloy.
Current members; Frances Crowe, Joe Cunniffe, Honor Fitzgerald, Anne Rigney, Dympna Molloy, Noel Molloy.
The aims of the organisation:
-To support the members within the group and their individual projects.
-To promote the Arts in the midlands by bringing Contemporary Art to various events / venues. Accessibility is paramount.
-To initiate and support community groups and schools projects through workshops, teaching , demonstrations , exhibitions and live events.
Below Press Release, 1990, Roscommon Herald