The Wicklow Artists Salon is a new, exciting, artist-run event exploring important themes affecting artists and cultural practitioners. Offering a space for discussion and exchange, each salon hosts a moderated discussion with invited guest artists and then opens out to a discussion with attendees. It aims to seed learning, interactions and perhaps even collaborations among participants.
The salon was initiated in 2016 by the artists of Outpost Studios in Bray. Following a fire in the studios which resulted in the loss of their workspaces, the salon had a dormant spell before being relaunched in winter 2022 with the crucial support of Wicklow County Arts Office and Mermaid Arts Centre. The programme is curated and facilitated by visual artist Joanna Kidney and writers Olivia Fitzsimons and Philip St John.
The first salon took place in Mermaid in October and focused on the theme of 'Collaboration' with writer Philip St. John in conversation with internationally acclaimed theatre-makers Brokentalkers. In early February this year, the second Salon again ran in Mermaid and explored the important topic of 'Survival'. How do artists make a living? What work do they find most compatible with their art-making? Susan Coughlan (Consultant and coach in the Arts and Culture sector) moderated a fascinating conversation around these questions with Mia Gallagher (Writer), Yurika Higashikawa (Multi Disciplinary Artist and Writer) and Emmet Kirwan (Actor, Playwright and Screenwriter). The evening then opened into a vigorous, all-inclusive debate about all attendees' experiences and needs.
The next salon will focus on 'Minding Yourself' and is taking place on Tuesday 14th March at 7.30pm in the Mermaid Arts Centre.
The line up includes Theresa Nanigian, Visual artist and Executive Coach, in conversation with Jessica Kennedy, Dance artist, Choreogreapher and Co- Director of Junk Ensemble Dance Theatre Company, Rónán O'Snodaigh, Musician and founding member of Kíla, and Emma Finucane, Visual artist.
Admission is free but booking is essential. Book HERE