I am delighted to be on the Register of Approved Artists for the new BLAST Arts in Education Residency. For more information on BLAST see here
Vera’s brief biography within an Arts in Education context
I am a visual artist living and working from my studio in Celbridge, Co Kildare. I obtained a Fine Art degree in printmaking from the National College of Art & Design, Dublin. I had a previous career for many years, before returning to college, in fashion and interiors. There is a textile thread running through my work, which more recently incorporates clay and fused glass.
My work is about facilitating an art process and an art experience. On many occasions the project idea itself, or the participants, suggest a particular art form and/ or media. I facilitate that experience in relevant material or media… I encourage and hold that space for the magic to happen!
I have been working as an artist on projects, within both primary and secondary schools since 2011, originally as part of If I Had An Artist for a Day… programme facilitated by Kildare County Council Arts Service.
Since 2014, I have been involved as both artist and course facilitator on the Teacher Artist Partnership (TAP) programme. You will see below images of artworks / processes undertaken on projects within primary schools.
To view a BLAST 2021 project in a secondary school click here
To view a short video on Killyconny Bog TAP project click here
I am a Lecturer in Visual Arts Education, Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education, Maynooth University and a Creative Associate with the Creative School Programme an initiative of the Arts Council of Ireland. I am a professional member of Visual Artist Ireland.
Starting a Thread…Lantern project Scoil Mochua, Celbridge 2012
Starting a Thread…Lantern project Scoil Mochua, Celbridge, 2012.
Finished Lantern – drawing and stitching a line that represents Me, 2012, 2014 and 2020
Finished Lantern – drawing and stitching a line that represents Me, 2012, 2014 and 2020
Button sewing as part of the Lantern Project, 2012, 2014 and 2020
Cross hatch drawing in preparation for etching, St Kilians NS, 2016
Scoil Mhuire Junior School, Newbridge. 2nd Class pupils printmaking 2017.
Making a Bog Book, to document elements and reflections from the bog. St Kilian’s NS 2021
Weaving a Bog, on a cardboard loom. St Kilian’s NS June 2021
Relief imprint of bog elements in soft clay, in a plastic food container. St Kilian’s NS June 2021.
Plaster artwork made from the clay relief. Pupil photo taken of their work when placed on the bog. St Kilian’s NS June, 2021.
Shadow puppetry with 4th and 5 class students.
If you have any questions or wish to get in touch with Vera fill in the contact form or follow her on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin