|
The announcement of any award is always a time of great expectation and anticipation. The 2008 Crafts Council of Ireland 3rd Level Awards were no exception. With a total award value of €5,000, the competition between graduates and post-graduates is always of the highest standard.
This year the Awards went to Logan Mc Lain, NCAD (M.A.), and Eily O’Connell, NCAD (Bdes). The judging panel comprised textile artist, Alice Kettle, ceramicist, Jack Doherty and jeweller, Grainne Morton. As always, the Third Level Award Scheme received some outstanding applications. In particular the BA award attracted an interesting range of artists. Nuala Ní Fhlathúin showed us some innovative and creative sculptural ceramics; Gillian Patterson is a textile artist producing lively fashion conscious work; Sabrina Meyns uses paper and metal to make sensitive jewellery. In the end, the award was given to Ely O`Connell whose cast jewellery combined stones and found objects. The panel felt that her work was fresh and exciting and that her long term objective of producing a body of work to make an application to Origin was achievable and would help further her career. For Eily the Award is “an acknowledgement from the craft industry, established makers and the Crafts Council.” She went on to say “This award will enable me to purchase vital equipment and so create a solid foundation for the start of my career.”
In the MA section ceramicist David Withers showed us some beautifully modelled, figurative sculpture. The award was given to Logan Mc Lain to help develop “Slogan” his fledgling business producing T shirts and one off embroidery pieces. “His vision of himself and how to accomplish his aims was well formed” says Alice Kettle. For Logan Mc Lain the award “will allow him to fully explore the potential of the products he has developed as part of his masters research.” 
| 
| Eily O'Connell Logan McLain Two Additional 'Merit Awards'
Overall, the high standard, quality and diversity of applications submitted this year made the decision making process difficult for the panel. As a result, they also requested that two additional ‘merit awards’ be given to ceramicist, Nuala Ní Fhlathúin, GMIT, Galway and to David Withers, University of Ulster. According to Alice Kettle… ‘this came about because the panel wanted to recognise remarkable ability reflected in the work of both David and Nuala.’ David Withers Nuala Ní Flaithúin The Selection Process
In selecting the two 3rd Level Award winners the panel met with all of the short-listed applicants. The interview process is an important part of the award. It gives applicants a chance to talk about their work, to gain insights from the expertise of the panel and to demonstrate how winning the award would impact on their future. The judging panel remarked that the standard of all 3rd level applications was ‘very high’. The range of disciplines and use of materials reflected in the applications points to a dynamic future for Irish Craft and Design. For both the ‘merit’ and overall award winners the 3rd Level Award is a significant recognition of their skill and ambition to pursue a career. “The awards recognise the breadth of being a craftsperson and can make a real difference to that journey”, says Alice Kettle. Jack Doherty remarks “The 3rd Level Awards programme provides a vital stepping stone on the path from college to a successful creative career.”
|
