As part of Westmeath County Council’s Creative Ireland Programme for 2025, Westmeath Arts Office is delighted to announce its 2025 Creative Practitioners in Residence. This residency programme is a county wide initiative that was open to creative practitioners across all creative fields.
Shane Kelleher, Andrea Cullen, Jonathan Farrelly, Taz Kelleher and Maria Corcoran have each been selected to develop a 12-week project, which creates local awareness and understanding for their creative form.
Shane Kelleher
Shane Kelleher is a brand designer with a passion for weaving strategy, visual design, and motion graphics into captivating brand experiences. Drawing inspiration from the beauty and harmony of nature, Shane infuses work with organic elements and fluid motion, creating brands that feel alive and connected to the world around us.
West Studio
West Studio is a 12-week residency empowering small businesses in Mullingar with branding skills through workshops, training, and mentorship. The project helps businesses refine their identity, improve visibility, and sustain their brand long-term, while also fostering a stronger design culture in the Midlands.
Andrea Cullen
Andrea Cullen, a multidisciplinary artist and designer with BA. degree in Fashion Design from LSAD and Masters in Design from NCAD, while also running her design business, Bronte Design House Andrea is the creative director of Bressie's "Where Is My Mind “Live” Podcast Tour and since has taken on new clients, Dermot Whelan and the band Driven Snow. Andrea is the co-founder of Cuige Studios in Mullingar.
Leading with Creativity
Leading with Creativity: A Director’s Guide is a12-week workshop which introduces secondary school students in Westmeath to creative direction, fostering skills in leadership, communication, and problem-solving. Through hands-on projects and industry exposure, students gain confidence, collaboration experience, and portfolio pieces. The program empowers young creatives, inspiring them to explore career paths and realize their full potential.
Jonathan Farrelly
Jonathan is a multi-award-winning writer/director. He is currently writing the TV series ‘Coercive’ and ‘The Heat Seeker’, both optioned by Tri Moon Films. He is also writing ‘The Art of Magdelena’ with Polish writer, Wiktor Piatowski. Jonathan has years of experience as a producer, writer, creator, and director, on pieces including ‘Fr. Des’, ‘Poster Boys’, ‘First World Problems’, ‘Cascarino: Voices’, ‘Leap of Faith’, and ‘Donal Eats The World’. Jonathan was a founder and facilitator of the ‘Studio 109: Film Course’ as part of the Hinterland Festival. He also designs and delivers writing courses for St Agnes School in Crumlin. Jonathan also volunteers with ALONE.
Seniors Telling Stories
Seniors Telling Stories aims to engage elderly individuals living in rural, often isolated areas in the creative process of writing an audio drama script. Through this initiative, Jonathan will work with elderly participants to help them create narratives inspired by their lives, memories, and experiences.
Taz Kelleher
Taz Kelleher is a creative practitioner and community-focused artist with a background in ceramics, sustainability, and public engagement. Taz is the co-founder of The Useless Project, a nationally recognized initiative combining creativity, environmental awareness, and hands-on education. Experienced in leading workshops, storytelling, and fostering accessible creative spaces through public art and community-driven projects.
From Soil to Sculpture
From Soil to Sculpture is about connection—to land, heritage, and creativity. Ceramics, a tactile and ancient medium, invites everyone, not just “artists,” to reconnect through clay. By exploring Westmeath’s ceramic heritage, foraging wild clay, and running inclusive workshops, this project makes creativity accessible while deepening our relationship with place, sustainability, and storytelling
Maria Corcoran
Maria Corcoran is a circus performer, producer and teacher dedicated to creating original work that can engage, inspire and transform people. I have a particular interest in clowning; using this artform to authentically connect with people and create unforgettable experiences.
Playful Pathways to Senior Vitality
Promoting senior wellness through circus-inspired and drama-based games and activities designed to enhance mental cognition, social engagement, co-ordination and physical mobility. This pilot program with Cluain Lír Community Nursing Unit will research ways of facilitating these activities and ensure they meet the unique needs of senior populations in nursing homes.