Print and photography weekend set to take place in Dundalk

The Alternative Print & Photography weekend runs from Friday 17 October to Sunday 19 October at Creative Spark Print Studio in Clontygora Drive, Murhevnamor, Dundalk. 

With a focus on ecological awareness, material experimentation, and community collaboration, the weekend features hands-on workshops, artist talks, live demonstrations and shared studio projects — culminating in a public exhibition opening at 7pm on Saturday 18 October at the Downtown Hub. 

The Alternative Print & Photography weekend is a unique opportunity to engage with art- making that is sustainable, experimental, and collaborative.

Whether you’re a practising artist, student, or simply curious, it’s a weekend to get your hands in the ink — and your eyes opened to new possibilities. 

READ NEXT: TV legend and comedian Ricky Tomlinson coming to Louth venue

The weekend’s key event is the Saturday evening exhibition launch, showcasing the results of that day’s Collaborative Print Relay — an evolving project in which artists create and exchange prints, layering ideas and processes into a collective body of work. 

Hosted at the Downtown Hub, the exhibition will feature these collaborative editions alongside informal artist talks, relaxed critiques, and a celebration of process-driven practices.

Attendees can expect a welcoming atmosphere filled with conversation, reflection, and inspiration — a must for anyone interested in the future of sustainable, community-led art. 

Event Schedule Overview 

Friday 17 October – Artist Talks & Alternative Lithography. 

The weekend begins with an inspiring evening of talks from five contemporary artists whare pushing the boundaries of print and photography: 

 - 11:30 - 16:00: Maria McSweeney — exploring underwater and coastal ecosystems through cameraless techniques such as lumen prints and anthotypes. (Booking required) 

- Greta Usaite — merging ink painting, plant-based chemistry, and photography. 

- Julie Corcoran — presenting an ethically rooted, sustainability-focused photographic practice. 

- Emily McGardle — screenprinting with inks made from native Irish plants. 

- Úna Curley — introducing a unique collaboration with snails, nature, and handmade paper. 

8pm to 9pm: Closing the evening, Robert Kelly will demonstrate Mokulito, a Japanese- inspired lithography process using wood in place of stone. (Booking required) 

Saturday 18 October – Exhibition Launch 

 - 7pm: Downtown Hub exhibition launch — open to the public. Expect an evening of shared stories, artist reflections, and collaborative energy. 

Sunday 19 October – Experimental Workshops 

12noon to 4pm: Kitchen Lithography workshop with Viola Wang, using foil and cola to produce prints — no press or chemicals needed. (Booking required) 

5pm to 6pm: Soil Chromatography Demonstration by Julie Corcoran, revealing the chemical and visual beauty of soil. (Booking required)

People can book on teh Creative Spark website HERE