THE ART DEPARTMENT

Our selection of photographs show some of our students at work in the college as far back as 1904. Over the years the college has produced leading architects, designers and painters in Irish society.
Early in our history one of the founding French fathers, Fr. Ebenerecht acted as art teacher. He designed our college chapel and inspired his students in the practical arts.
More recent photographs show our students at work on projects such as the columcille foundation exhibition, art college portfolios and graphics for the Leman concert, BCR and other college events.
We encourage our students to investigate all aspects of the visual arts. This goes far beyond an academic grounding in the subject and into a life long appreciation of fine art, design and art history

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR ART DEPARTMENT PLEASE CONTACT ME.

ANNRAOI WYER

THE ART DEPARTMENT BLACKROCK COLLEGE

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Use the link below to see some of our Art Related Photographs

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WE ARE FORTUNATE IN THE COLLEGE TO HAVE MANY FINE EXAMPLES OF WORK IN GLASS BY IRISH ARTISTS.

FROM THE CLASSICALLY INFLUENCED MICHAEL HEALY WINDOWS IN THE CHAPEL SANCTUARY TO EXQUISITE EXAMPLES FROM THE CLARKE STUDIOS DEPICTING THE RESURECTION AND THE BISHOP NEVILLE WINDOW BY MICHAEL DOWLING.
OVER THE DECADES THESE WINDOWS HAVE SPREAD LIGHT AND GIVEN LIFE TO OUR BUILDINGS .

THE VISUAL STRENGTH AND PATTERN IN THE PENTECOST WINDOWS AND CARTOONS BY EVIE HONE HAVE ACTED AS A UNIQUE EDUCATIONAL SOURCE FOR OUR STUDENTS.

IN THE PAST THE UNION HAS PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN PROMOTING THE VISUAL ARTS IN BLACKROCK.

IN AN EXCITING AND VITAL PROJECT TO MARK THE SESQUICENTENARY THE UNION HAS DECIDED TO ACT AS PATRON IN COMMISSIONING A NEW GLASS WINDOW BY THE ARTIST ROISIN DE BUITLEAR.

WHAT WAS PUT FORWARD AS AN IDEA AND A HOPE WILL THANKS TO THE UNION BECOME A REALITY.
THE THEME OF THE WORK IS SAINT PAUL . THE WINDOW WILL BE LOCATED IN THE NEW WING WHICH IS ALSO DEDICATED TO ST. PAUL .


THIS 21ST CENTURY COMMISSION BY THE UNION WILL ACT AS A LASTING AND VIBRANT TRIBUTE TO OUR 150TH YEAR.

ROISIN WILL GIVE A TALK ABOUT HER WORK IN THE COLLEGE ON THE EVENING OF THE 13TH OF OCTOBER 2010 .


ANNRAOI WYER

HEAD OF ART


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS PROJECT CONTACT AWYER@BLACKROCKCOLLEGE.COM
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SHORT BIOGRAPHY OF RÓISÍN DE BUITLÉAR

Róisín de Buitléar is one of Irelands best known glass artists. Based in Dublin, Ireland she has been working with glass as a primary material since 1984. Her cultural heritage inspires her work. Her blown and cast work is in private and public collections in Ireland and abroad, including the National Museum Collection at Collins Barracks and the Ulster Museum Belfast. Site specific installations using a wide variety of glassmaking methods can be seen in public buildings throughout Ireland, including W5 Science museum Belfast and the Blasket Island centre in Kerry. .As an educator she has given workshops in the USA, Japan, Britain, France, Canada, and Ireland and regularly lectures and writes on contemporary Irish glass. Her teaching at the National College of Art and Design Dublin spanned two decades. Next Summer sees her returning to the USA to the prestigious Pilchuck Glass school as invited instructor of hot glass.


Note
It is an honour to be invited to create a piece of my glass to mark this historic occasion. On my first visit to the Blackrock College I was surprised by the array of wonderful stained glass work that is so present throughout the school, and felt envious of the students being surrounded by the depth of stained glass history contained in various panels located around the corridors and chapel. I am currently working on the initial stages of the research and drawings for the piece and aim to have the work completed by March of next year. The piece will be located in the new building dedicated to St Paul and is inspired by both his work and the ethos of Blackrock College. I am inspired by the challenge ahead and look forward to sharing the results with you next spring.

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BLESSING OF THE NEW ART ROOM

The College President, Fr. Cormac O’Brolchain, CSSp. blessed, and formally opened, the new College Art Room on Wednesday morning, November 16th.

The liturgy was attended by the Art pupils of the College, College Chaplain Fr. Casey, Bursar Fr. Healy, Manager Mr John Murphy, College Archivist Fr Sean Farragher and many colleagues of Mr Wyer and Ms Coyle.

The new Art Room, formerly the ‘Sacred Heart’ dormitory which, for generations, was night quarters for 5th Year boarders, is the product of 18 months planning and preparation by Fintan O’Connor, his team, and the Art Department. They, rightfully, are very proud of the end product and I thank them.

Fr. O’Brolchain spoke of the College’s long association with the Arts as a print of Fr. Ebenrecht, (the College’s first Bursar and Art teacher, presiding over Art class in the earliest Art Room - now the Home Economics Room) - formed a backdrop.

I have no doubt that Fr. Ebenrecht would have approved of the new Art Studio, tastefully designed with an ambience that can only inspire our current and future art pupils.

Mr Wyer, Head of the Art Department, spoke passionately about the contribution of art to society – “art is everywhere be it the buildings we live in, the clothes we wear, or the cars we drive; someone, somewhere, sat down, thought about it, and drew it”.

Fr. O’Brolchain saw art as an opportunity to be in touch with your inner self and give expression to that self.

The Art room is another stage in the refurbishment and development of College facilities. Added to the new Music Room, Latin Room, Study Halls and Music Cells, the old house boarding school has been gradually transformed into the cultural centre of the school.

It is our intention, that both the teaching staff and student body will have the best possible environment for personal and professional development and fulfilment. This is certainly another step along the way.

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