news l e f tN O V E M E R / D E C E M E R

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TAPESTRIES FROM HARRANIA, EGYPTIn September, the Egyptian Ambassador

to Ireland. His Excellency, Abdallah

Fauad Hafez opened the exhibition

entitled "Tapestries of Harrania" which

runs through to the 1 lth November and

features over 100 original "story-telling"

tapestries, some of which are produced

by children as young as 12 years of

age.

All of the tapestries come from Harrania,

a farming village in Egypt, near the

pyramids of Gizeh, which is becoming

internationally renowned for the tapestry

skills of its inhabitants, both young and

old.

What is most unusual about the

tapestries, woven in naturally dyed flax

and sheep's wool, is that they are

designed without formal training,

patterns or sketches and using the most

simple of looms and tools. The tapestries

can be used as wall hangings or

carpets.

The tapestries created by the weavers

range from simple reflections of rural

Egyptian life as produced by the very

young weavers to the fluid, almost

impressionistic creations of the older

weavers who take their inspiration from

traditional Islamic themes such as the

Tree of Life, Creation, stories of Moses

and passages from the Koran.

The colours used are widely varied, but

muted in accordance with the natural

dyes available. Indigo, reseda, mader

and a wide spectrum of henna shades

are all cultivated, garnered and

prepared into dyes from the villagers'

own gardens.

Also in attendance at the opening of the

exhibition was Mr Awadly, a member of

the family who took it upon themselves in

1975 to establish a weaving workshop in

Harrania with the aim of revitalising the

ailing local cottage industry and

providing the younger generation with an

opportunity to develop their traditional

talents.

Even on the night of the official opening

the Gallery staff were inundated with

purchasers anxious to own pieces of this

delightfully stylised craftwork which are

for sale, ranging in price from £7 to

£1,900. It is expected the entire contents

of the exhibition will be sold by the time

the exhibition closes.

School's ProgrammeIn conjunction with this very special

exhibition, the Crafts Council is running a

school's progranme involving children

between the ages of seven and ten and

their teachers. This programme is being

held between mid-October and mid-

November at various locations around

the country and each participating school

has been matched with a weaver from its

own locality who will act as a special

tutor during these four day sessions.

The emphasis of the programme will be

to provide each child with an educational

experience in design and art. Materials,

yarns, frames and drawing materials will

be provided for the children as will

special work sheets.

In addition, until November 9th groups of

schoolchildren and their teachers will be

welcomed to the Crafts Council Gallery to

see the tapestries and learn about their

origins, who made them and how they

were made.

Cyril Forbes with the Egyptian AmbassadorAbdallah Fauad Hafez and his wife at theopening of the exhibition

The children will be encouraged to

create images of the people and things

around them just as the Harranian

children do, starting with their school

friends.

The Crafts Council will provide drawing

materials and notes for the teachers to

enable them to provide the children with

a structured learning experience of the

tapestries.

With the help of a second set of notes it

is hoped that the teachers can do follow-

up work back in class. There are learning

opportunities for art, English and

geography classes that can be based on

a class visit to the Tapestry Exhibition.

The Craft and Design Business Course in KilkennyThe Crafts Council has decided not

to run the 9 5 / 9 6 Business Course

following this year's interviews.

Although in the past six years the

course has been extremely successful

in assisting our brightest craft and

design graduates to establish

businesses, interviewers for this

year's course felt that they did not

see enough suitable candidates to

justify the investment of staffing and

finance.

There are a number of reasons why

the Council has had to make this

decision, but a significant one is the

increasing professionalism and

product quality in the craft sector.

Today's new businesses face stiffer

competition than those of the 80's.

The range of goods a newcomer

must offer has to be of a very high

design and production standard

from the outset, if they are to survive

their first years in practice.

Therefore, entry requirements for the

Business Course have crept up over

the past five years in order to keep

pace with the increasingly

sophisticated craft market.

The Council is in the process of

applying for new funding for a

revised and extended business

course which will have a greater

emphasis on product development,

production efficiency, and on

market testing. Further details will be

announced when the funding

position is clearer. This decision is

also of significance to the leading

design and craft courses around the

country. In 1 996, the Council hopes

to initiate discussions with the

colleges to see what joint actions

can be taken to better prepare

students for the complex demands of

a commercial post-graduate career.

SHOWCASE 95 Fares Well

SHOWCASE '95 attracted 8,500

buyers, more than 1,600 of them

from overseas.

Last week the organisers announced

details of next January's exhibition.

Speaking at the launch the Minister

for Finance, Ruairi Quinn, said that

730 new full, part-time and

outworker jobs have been created

within the Irish crafts industry in

1995 as a direct result of the

increased sales at SHOWCASE '95.

Cyril Forbes said that a recent

survey showed that total sales

figures for orders received at

SHOWCASE last January were a

record £23 million, representing

annualised sales of almost £100

million.

Christmas Show 1995Christmas is fast approaching and

the Gallery is planning its biggest

and best show. An early opening

proved very successful last year and

it is planned to do the same again

this year, probably around 22nd

November. Submission of

samples/ideas for this year's show

are welcome immediately. All

finished work should be ready for

display by the week ending

November 17th.

Spending patterns during the '94

show showed that 90% of

transactions were for items under the

£100 price mark. Most popular

were items between £20 and £40.

Since the start of 1995, the Gallery

has been paying close attention to

customer preferences and have

found that 70% of turnover is

generated from items selling at

prices under £200 retail. However,

so as not to discourage makers who

sell larger work, it should be noted

that 13% of turnover is generated

from items retailing at over £500.

The Gallery are, therefore, always

pleased to include some of these

specialised items.

Some items were difficult to source

last year and the Gallery would like

to encourage submissions of new

ideas/departures in:

Crib sets, decorations, glass items,

non-precious jewellery, tableware,

toys, decorative ceramics, tapestries,

patchwork, candle/candlewicks.

Remember the 1995 Crafts Council

Christmas exhibition could act as an

experimental showcase for some

new ideas for 1996.

For further information contact:

Hilary Morley, Retail Manager.

Tel: 01-679 7368.

Business SkillsProgramme -West Cork

The Crafts Council of Ireland in

conjunction with the West Cork

Enterprise Board is running a

business/training programme for

craftworkers. This is a pilot

programme open to craftworkers in

West Cork which the Council hopes

to make available on a national

basis.

The programme will address the

problems faced in running a

successful craft business in both

production and business skills.

Located in West Cork it will

comprise two week-ends and six

evening classes. The project is

funded by the West Cork Enterprise

Board.

All interested parties should contact

Emer Ferran at the Crafts Council or

Liam Ennis, West Cork Co.

Enterprise Board, 8, Kent Street,

Clonakilty, Co. Cork. Tel. 023-

34700.

Peter Brennan ANCA (1916 - 1995)An AppreciationPeter Brennan, father of Art Pottery

in Ireland, has died after a long and

productive life.

Peter studied sculpture with Oliver

Shepard at the Metropolitan School

of Art. twice winning the Taylor

Scholarship, he gained his diploma

from N.C.A. in 1941.

Subsequently Peter taught Art in

Carlow and Kilkenny. With Hubert

Butler he organised exhibitions of

Dublin painters, lectured and wrote

reviews. He is seen to have laid the

foundations for Kilkenny Design.

In 1945 in partnership with Victor

Waddington he began the Ring

Ceramic Studios in Kilkenny. Not

only did he throw the pots, he

trained local lads to dig and

prepare the clay to produce a range

of pressed and moulded ware, as

well as building all the equipment.

He travelled to Stoke-on-Trent for

advice and materials, and to

Bernard Leach at St. Ives for

inspiration (and all on £6.50 a

week). In 1962 when Victor moved

his gallery to London Peter started

teaching in Blackrock Technical

School and also in the School of

Sculpture at N.C.A.D..

In 1965 he married Helena Ennis

and they set up a workshop in Dun

Laoghaire, pioneering work in

stoneware and porcelain. Peter was

a founder member of the Society of

Designers, the Crafts Council and

the Craft Potters Society.

Peter left us on the crest of a wave -

Peter Brennan and his wife Helena at the opening of th\

Organic Surfaces exhibition.

teaching forty students, building a

35ft yacht and preparing new

works for his eightieth year

exhibition. He is survived by his wife

Helena and six children. Helena

remembers him as "challenging

himself and all those around him to

ever greater feats of skill and

enterprise". The R.H.A. is planning

a retrospective in 1997.

By Hester Scott,

Craft Potters Society.

The Shutters Open....

Dear Sir/Madam,

1 agree wholeheartedly with the

views by Geoffrey Healy et al in the

last edition of the Newsletter.

1 drew not a little comfort in the fact

that you published the letter at all. 1

had to resort to a UK publication

recently to make a point regarding

one of your exhibitions.

is this the first instance of a letter

appearing in your columns and can

we look forward to an opening of

the shutters in the future?

Jim Behan, Dolmen Pottery, 113

Green Road, Carlow.

Body Bait - ReviewThis exhibition at the RHK was a

tremendous effort on the part of the

Jewellers and Metalworkers Guild of

Ireland. One's initial impression was

enhanced by the location in the

Crypt, the number of exhibitors and

the displays themselves.

As a relative newcomer it struck me

as a coming of age, and by the

sense of maturity and community of

the jewellers and designer

craftspeople involved. Some

technical work was very impressive

indeed while some was, frankly,

below par. But even in saying that 1

feel the exhibition will act to make

those less skilled strive to improve.

The designs were adventurous, often

fun and occasionally off the wall!

Exhibitions tend to be the extremes

of the sector they represent - no one

goes to an exhibition to see the

norm. It is this type of venture that

moves the everyday to a new plain

of acceptance. Well done to the

organisers.

By Jane Huston

General AnnouncementsFor Sale

Pitch pine countermarch loom with fly shuttle.

Reed space 4 1 " . Four reeds included. £800

or nearest offer.

Contact Marian Young, 10 Tamneymullan

Lane, Maghera, Co. L'Derry. Tel. (01648)

43056.

For Sale

Hymus single phase kiln 2' x 11/2' x 11/2'.

J x 4 electric potters wheel, belt drive.

Contact Micheal Mac Gearailt, Ballyquin

Community Centre, Brandon, Tralee, Co.

Kerry. Tel. 066-38137.

For Sale

Brand new gas kiln for sale. 8 cubic ft, Irish

made, front loading, downdraft.

Plus furniture, pyrometer, thermocouple etc.

£1,500

Tel. 066-73024

Wanted

Artists, Book Makers, Poets, Musicians,

Painters etc. etc. willing to contribute an

artists' page to the World Sea Book.

The World Sea Book is an encyclopaedic

cross curricular collaboration containing the

works of 500 sea conscious people from

around the world. It will consist entirely of

original one off pages.

For further information contact Andi McGarry,

Sun, Moon and Stars Press, Donkey

Meadows, Kilmore Quay, Wexford.

WantedIrish crafts artists (particularly ceramicists,

glassmakers, textile artists) interested in giving

workshops/seminars in Israel.

For further information contact Gershon Kedar,

Embassy of Israel, P.O. Box 3021, Dublin 4.

Tel. 01-6680303, Fax. 01-6680418.

New Studio Spaces, Pimlico, Dublin 8.

Spaces available. Rents very reasonable. All

disciplines accommodated. Spacious

workshops. Canteen and exhibition facilities

on site.

Contact Cairan T. Kirwan for information pack,

at 12B Portobello Harbour or telephone 01-

4751620.

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Ceramics Student Seeks Traineeship

Student in final year of an Associate Diploma

in Ceramics wishes to develop and broaden

her skills by working with senior practitioner

within studio/workshop environment.

Contact: Bernadette Harris,

15 /8 -10 King Street, Kogarah 2217,

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

The Embroidery Designer Group'sFifth Biennial Exhibition at The Kennedy

Gallery, Harcourt Street, Dublin.

Nov. 1st-Nov. 11th.

Louis Mulcahy of Dingle seeks a quality

cabinet making workshop to execute his

furniture designs.

The pieces are to be made in small batches

from Mr. Mulcahy's prototypes. The work

would have to be of the highest professional

standards and delivery dates be reliable.

Please call in office hours to Mairtin MacOiste

at Louis Mulcahy Pottery

Tel. (066) 56229/56429 Fax. (066) 56366.

Tower Design/Craft Centre Exhibition

The tenants of the Tower Design/Craft Centre

invite other craftworkers to join them for their

Christmas Fair. This year's fair will take the

form of a 5 day intensive event from Thursday

7th - Tuesday 12th December.

Limited spaces available.

All enquiries to Lorraine Bowen,

The Tower, IDA Enterprise Centre, Pearse

Street, Dublin 2. Tel. 01-6777967.

Contemporary Tapestry ArtistsExhibition - "Surface Tension"

An exhibition of new works by Contemporary

Tapestry Artists at the Droichead Arts Centre,

Drogheda from 25th October- 10th November.

Fletcher Challenge Ceramics Award

Entries are invited for this international

exhibition and competition.

Information and Entry Forms from:

Fletcher Challenge Ceramics Award, P.O. Box

33 1425, Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand.

Telephone & Fax 64 9 4458831 or 64 9

4806369.

The Ulster Arts Club Second SmallWorks Art Competition and Exhibition

Higgin Gallery, Malone House, Barness

Demesne, Belfast, BT9 5PE.

Tuesday 7th November - Saturday 25th

November. Monday-Saturday: 10.00a.m.-

4.00 p.m. Entry forms available from:

Miss Clare Collins, The Ulster Arts Club, 56,

Elmwood Avenue, Belfast, BT9 6AZ.

Tel. (01232)660644.

Mansion House Crafts FairThe Mansion House Crafts Fair is moving to the

bigger, brighter and better venue of the Main

Hall, RDS, Dublin from the 13-17th December.

You cannot afford to miss the retail opportunity

presented by this Fair. Expected attendance is

25-30,000 people. Limited stands are still

available. For further information contact:

Patrick O'Sullivan 01-8671517.

Design Concourse Ireland

Design Concourse Ireland is inviting you to be

part of this unique marriage of commerce and

creativity. If you are committed to excellence.

If you believe in world-class quality. If you

have products or merchandise that make you

proud, then it's time to make Ireland proud "A

unique marketing opportunity for Irish

products recognised for their quality and

design".

For further information contact:

Design Concourse Ireland Ltd.,

Kirwan's Lane, Galway.

Tel. 091-66016, Fax. 091-66927.

'Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh'November 4th - 24th December, 1995.

Loch Ruray House, Fine and Applied Art and

Craft Gallery.

Christmas Exhibition of contemporary studio

glass, fine art and textiles.

Gallery Opening Hours: 11.00-6^00

Tuesday - Saturday and 1.00-6.00 Sunday.

For further information contact:

Larissa Watson-Regan,

Loch Ruray House,

8, Main Street, Dundrum,

Co. Down,

BT33 OLU.

Tel. (013967)51544

The ManagementCommittee 1995

Chair Mr. Cyril ForbesVice Chair Ms. Hilary PrattMr. Ed KevinMs. Suzanne MayMr. Michael McCroryMr. Rudolf HeltzelDr. David Shaw-SmithMs. Breda HaughMr. Knut KlimmekMr. David HargadenMr. Jonathan RyanMr. Neil ReadMs. Kaethe Burt-O'DeaMs. Mary JacksonMs. Bernadette Madden

Crafts Council Staff

DublinActing Chief Executive

Administrative Officer

Book-keeper

Telephonist/Receptionist

Exhibitions Assistant

Retail Manager

Shop Assistants (PT)

Leslie ReedMargaret JonesOrlagh McKay

Susan Byrne/Olga Hiney

Catherine JordanHilary Morley

Sally DunneAoife Montgomery

The Crescent WorkshopTraining and Education Officer

Supervisor/Information Officer

Administrative Assistant

Leslie ReedEmer Ferran

Nuala McGrath

Thomastown Pottery Skills CourseTrainer Gus Mabelson

The Crafts Councilof Ireland

DublinPowerscourt Townhouse Centre

South William Street,

Dublin 2

Tel. 01 679 7368

Fax. 01 679 9197

KilkennyThe Crescent Workshop,

Castle Yard

Kilkenny

Tel. 056 61804 or 62734

Fax. 056 63754

Jewellery Design and ProductionSkills CourseTrainer Jane Huston

CAD/CAM Training for the IrishKnitwear IndustryCoordinator Julie Griffiths

All information is published in good faith but without research, so please check carefully before committing yourself to work or financial outlay

Please forward all information to Nuala McGrath. The copy date for the next issue is 6th December. The Print date is 1 3th December