Lead Department
Fine Art and Applied Art, Crawford College of Art & Design
Coordinated by
Pamela Hardesty (Pamela.Hardesty@mtu.ie)
Active members
10
Purpose
A Learning Community initiated to support those involved in organising seminars and workshops.
Summary of Activities:
The MAKE 2024 Symposium was held on 2nd March 2024 at the Curtis Auditorium, MTU Cork School of Music. This year’s theme, The Material Line, explored the concept of drawing as a sculptural practice and a physical line. The event featured an inspiring line-up of international and national speakers:
- Cornelia Parker, British conceptual sculptor
- Alice Kettle, renowned embroidery artist and educator
- Anna Lovatt, UK academic and author on sculptural drawing
- Felicity Clear, Dublin-based conceptual drawing artist
- Alice Maher, Irish drawing and sculpture artist
MAKE 2024 saw the participation of 270 ticket buyers, with an audience of students, academics, makers, and gallery administrators. A special exhibition, Material Line, was also launched in conjunction with the symposium, which featured works from Vilnius Academy of Art in Lithuania. The exhibition was open at the MTU Grand Parade Gallery from 2nd March to 26th March.
In preparation for MAKE 2024, the MATERIAL LINE Exhibition emerged from an exciting workshop with Dublin artist Felicity Clear, which was part of a collaboration between CCAD’s Applied Art Textiles and Fine Art Drawing students. This workshop, held in November 2023, involved approximately 24 students working with Clear to create a physical drawing in space, which was later explored by students through drawing and photography.
Earlier in the academic year, the MEND PROJECT (2021-22) saw success as a student textile exchange project between CCAD and the Textiles Department of Kaunas, Lithuania. The project focused on themes of mending, repair, and healing, culminating in an exhibition at 46 Grand Parade Gallery, which ran from 4th March to 26th March 2022. This project was closely tied to the MAKE 2022 Symposium and was actively promoted on social media, showcasing the strength of our international connections and collaborative efforts.
In 2025, MAKE 2025 will focus on Interspecies, exploring the human relationship with animals and plant environments, both culturally and environmentally. This marks the 10th edition of MAKE and will continue the tradition of fostering interdisciplinary exchange and international collaboration.
Learning Community Activities 2023-24
- Organisation and execution of the MAKE 2024 Symposium featuring 270 attendees.
- Collaboration with the Drawbridge Research Hub, CCAD, and Fine Art Drawing students for the Felicity Clear workshop.
- Material Line exhibition featuring works by CCAD students and international collaborators from Vilnius Academy of Art.
- International partnerships with Vilnius, Tartu, and Bucharest for the upcoming MAKE 2025 event.
Learning Community Staff Impact 2023-24
Approximately 30 staff attended the MAKE 2024 Symposium, contributing to its success through planning, presentations, and event logistics. Staff worked alongside national and international partners to bring the event to life.
Learning Community Student Impact 2023-24
- 85 student tickets sold for the MAKE 2024 Symposium.
- 17 students were directly involved in the Material Line exhibition.
- Student feedback highlighted the positive impact of participating in both the workshops and the exhibition, gaining valuable experience in curation and exhibition planning.
Learning Community Feedback/Testimonials 2023-24
- “A fabulous line-up with lots to think about.” – @ourselfcarerevolution
- “Wonderful day of insightful and inspirational artists!” – @kieraotooleartist
Learning Community Outputs 2023-24
Learning Community Update 2024-25
The MAKE 2025 Symposium will explore Interspecies and will focus on our human relationship with animals and plants, both from a cultural and environmental perspective. The event will involve interdisciplinary collaboration with international partners and is expected to continue to grow in scale and impact.
