Creative Spark in Dundalk announces newest Artist-in-Residence

Creative Spark says it is pleased to announce the arrival of first Artist in Residence for 2023, Louise Gardiner of Lovely Letters.

Louise Gardiner, who also works under the name of Lovely Letters, is a signwriter and muralist based in Bettystown, Co. Meath. She graduated from The National College of Art and Design in 2020, where she studied Jewellery and Objects, developing her skills in design and technical drawing.

She gained her signwriting apprenticeship while working alongside Mack Signs, where she has painted all over the country, working in many different scales, specialising in traditional signwriting and gold leaf.  

In January 2022 Louise started to work for herself and registered her company name as Lovely Letters. Now working as a sole trader, she plans to expand the business while learning new skills and meeting new people. Along with running her own business Louise is also part of the Minaw Collective, an all-female street art collective based in Ireland. 

Louise commented, “for my time as Artist-in-Residence at Creative Spark, I would like to focus my work on gold leaf on glass. With the use of screen printing I can create outlines onto glass which I can fill with gold leaf and paint. I look forward to getting the opportunity to meet new creative people and network.” 

Keep an eye out for updates on Louise's work during her residency at Creative Spark. You can find her work on Instagram @lovelylettersbylouise. 

The Creative Spark Residency Programme provides opportunities for visual artists and art professionals to research and develop their practices. It supports both emerging and established visual artists working in any medium, but gives preference to those artists developing a body of work in a printmaking discipline.

Each residency is supported by provision of studio space in Creative Spark, along with access to all the facilities and technical support. The residency generally lasts between 2-3 months.

This programme is supported by Create Louth (Arts Service of Louth County Council) and Arts Council Ireland.