Background
Since 2018 Westmeath Visual Artists Mel French, Martina Coyle, Ursula Meehan and Anna Duffy have worked collectively, using Creative Ireland funding to amplify awareness of professional Westmeath Visual Artists on a national platform.
"We worked with Karan Thompson Consulting Ltd, (a fundamental part of the team who developed Artlinks), to develop a Conceptual plan for Westmeath based artists and we organised professional development training in Social Media skills whilst liaising with the Arts Office with the intention of increasing visibility of the Visual Artists within the County.
Our ambition is to celebrate, highlight and make visible the Visuals Artists of Westmeath. To achieve this we have engaged acclaimed photographer, director and filmmaker Conor Horgan to take headshots of 15 professional artists. Horgan is recognised for his unique portraits of Irish artists, writers and performers. https://www.conorhorgan.com/"
Opportunity
"We are delighted to offer the opportunity to professional Westmeath based Visual Artists to have professional headshots taken by Horgan for their professional use."
The photo-shoot will take place over a period of two days, in the Barlow Suite, Annebrook Hotel, Mullingar, This opportunity will be heavily subsidised through our Creative Ireland Funding. Each artist will be required to contribute €75 towards the total cost of the portraits. Photo shoot dates: Thursday April 18th and Friday April 19th, 2024.
Conor will provide:
Up to 4 finished images per artist. Finished images are retouched, print-ready and Web-ready versions in Black & White and Colour and will be supplied within six weeks of the shoot date.
Due to the limited number of spaces, there are criteria and process by which to apply and attend, please see below.
Criteria:
Open to Professional Westmeath based Visual Artists. (using VAI criteria for professional artist status)
Limited to fifteen places on a first come first served basis.
If you are selected, you will be given 5 working days to make the €75 payment. Failure to do so will result in your slot being offered to the next artist listed on the email application.
Artists will need to be available for one or both of those days.
Cost of €75 per artist, which is non-refundable. Due to the demand and booking schedule if you are allocated a slot to attend and cancel, your payment cannot be refunded.
Requirements for the photo shoot
Each artist is to bring a tool or other representation of their practice, and a change of clothes - one for a headshot portrait and one for a ‘working’ portrait. Each artist will be required to submit 2 images and a brief statement in the application form that will be forwarded to Conor, as per his request.
You must arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your allocated time.
There will be a member of the organising Team present on site throughout both days to assist with the running of the day. If successful in your application, you will be provided with a phone number contact for the day.
To apply for this opportunity please email the completed application to: martinacoyle35@gmail.com FROM 9am March 11th , please do not email before this time.