Bó Studios in Dundalk – creating a space for artists

Bó Studios in Dundalk, an artist studio space shared by ten visual artists, has led to some exciting collaborations since it opened and has made a hugely positive contribution to the local arts scene.

It is funded and supported by An Táin Arts Centre, The Arts Council of Ireland and Create Louth, the Arts Office of Louth County Council. Paul Hayes is the Director of An Táin Arts Centre. The artists “often get other artists reaching out to see the space”.

The studios were established in 2020 in when ceramicist Etaoin O’ Reilly who, dismayed at the lack of suitable affordable artist studio space in the town, came together with the three other founding members David Callan, Blathnaid McClean and Olivia Hill, who has since moved on from the studios,

Since then the studio space has expanded twice, once in 2023 and now for the second time to bring the total number of artists housed in the space at No 6 Jocelyn Street to 10.

The current collective is made up of, ceramicist Etaoin O’ Reilly, mixed media and sculptural artists, David Callan and John Connolly, print and image maker Stephen Hurley, printmaker and fashion designer Blathnaid McClean and illustrator and printmaker Linda McConville.

New members include print and image maker, Grainne Murphy; mixed media artist, Úna Curley; mixed media artist and art therapist, Jenny Slater; and Julie Corcoran who works through photography and printmaking.

The positive contribution the studios have made to the local arts scene has been immense.

“Last Culture Night was especially successful, as audiences dropped into An Táin Arts Centre and then followed on down to Bó Studios were there was an interactive tapestry they could take part in with artist Una Curley and a pop up gallery and exhibition.”

“Audiences were able to meet the artists and see how they made their work. the artists also offer workshops in different disciplines throughout the year.

For more information on the artists and goings on at Bó Studios, visit www.antain.ie/bo-studios/.