Schoolhouse for Art

Wood Sculpture by Conleth Gent

My aspiration is to establish Enniskerry, County Wicklow a premier ‘Art Destination‘ with the Schoolhouse for Art at its core.
My objective is to create a viable business that will generate sufficient income to make this project sustainable.

In addition to providing excellence in art schooling, and a unique indoor and outdoor venue for art related events, the ‘Schoolhouse for Art’ concept has a strong social and community awareness. It will endeavour to support practicing artists, help emerging artists and encourage aspiring artists (of all ages and abilities). It will engage with, and support the local community and through ‘practical demonstration’ promote County Wicklow and in particular Enniskerry as the ideal ‘art destination’.

The market for professional artists is seriously depleted, and as a result ‘art classes’ have become a vital supplement to their income enabling them to continue with their art endeavours.  The ‘Schoolhouse for Art’ is committed to supporting our professional artists. Our classes and workshops will hopefully provide that necessary income.

In addition to supporting ‘professional artists’ and providing ‘aspiring artists’ invaluable training, the ‘Schoolhouse for Art’ classes and workshops can also provide the perfect antidote for stress and damaged self-esteem. Having personally experienced escapism and the self-healing benefits from totally immersing my mind in my paintings, I have a personal goal to encourage more men to take art classes and unearth their hidden skills and talents – or to simply escape from a harsh reality for a couple of hours.

“The work of creating art distracts the mind and fuels the imagination,
The created work of art rekindles pride and restores self-belief”.

Since early 2013 this enterprise has been a ‘solo mission’, my personal “on with the Adventure!” response to the economic upheaval we collectively are trying to deal with.  I have been supported by good friends, good wishes and good luck. Without exception everyone I have met believes the ‘Schoolhouse for Art’ is a perfect fit for the former Powerscourt National School and a great addition to Enniskerry village. I hope to prove them right. Currently 16 artists (and growing) covering a diverse range of disciplines are giving, or are about to give classes/workshops – already dozens of ‘students’ have benefited from attending.

For this concept to excel after its initial launch it will need to move from the ‘I’ to the ‘we’ on the basis that there is only so much ‘I’ can do (and I miss my brushes!). In the meantime the ‘I’ could do with ‘you’ – if you like what I’m doing you can support me and my extraordinary teachers by attending our art classes and workshops.

Hopefully we’ll meet in the Schoolhouse for Art soon.

Neil.

Two sheep and the Sugarloaf

‘As I venture into the Wicklow hills the rugged landscape takes on subtle tones and hues as the Irish skyscape constantly changes its mind. And as I watch the evolving panorama two sheep amble by, unimpressed, breaking then remaking my view’.

This is a recent painting of mine ‘two sheep and the Sugarloaf’ (oil on canvas 90x70cm). I’m fortunate to be surrounded by the beautiful landscape of County Wicklow with the Sugarloaf as a backdrop. The ‘Sugarloaf’ is really only a hill as it’s only 501 metres (1,644 ft) high, however its isolation from other hills, steep slopes and volcanic appearance makes it appear much taller than it is.

I hope you enjoy my painting and that someday you’ll have the opportunity to also enjoy the real Wicklow landscape if you haven’t already had that pleasure.

N.

Two sheep and the Sugarloaf