The Donegal Visual Artists Network was set up in 2021 to support artist development in County Donegal. The network is led by Artlink Fort Dunree, Regional Cultural Centre (Letterkenny), Glebe House & Gallery and An Gailearaí.
At the Launch event at The Glebe Gallery, 15th April, Visual Artists Ireland presented the results from the needs analysis work, undertaken in 2021, which explored the visual arts practice in County Donegal. This information was then used to plan and deliver a programme of professional development events for Donegal artists.
In late summer 2022 Grainne McMenamin was appointed as Project Coordinator for DVAN. Grainne has been working as a freelance artist for almost twenty years and understands the ins and outs of this way of life. Continuous professional development can be hard to fit in around juggling the actual art practice, earning a supplementary income and any other personal responsibilities.
Grainne observed a real desire for peer to peer connection on a county-wide level and for a regular, useful, enjoyable meeting opportunity. Two of the feedback points that arose from the survey and discussions were a desire for DVAN to provide an opportunity for skill-sharing and practical workshops. To this end Grainne successfully organised several artist studio visits which have given a great insight into the different approaches artists take to their practice. The events took place across the county from Ballyshannon to Gortahork to Shroove enabling wider accessibility for rural artists.
- April 15, 2022
