Tonight at the National Craft Gallery, Fresh Talent opens at the ID2015 Design Hub in Kilkenny.

Curated by Angela O'Kelly and specially commissioned as part of ID2015, Fresh Talent shines a light on the creative new wave of designers emerging since 2011 who work within and across disciplines. Fresh Talent includes a mix of award winning graduate projects from Ireland’s major universities and from Irish students abroad, combined with the latest work from a selection of designers and practitioners who are at the early stages of establishing their businesses.

Discussing the exhibition, curator Angela says: “It is so important that young emerging designers and practitioners are able to work across disciplines, rather than just in linear subject areas. This enables real sustainable career opportunities. The new creatives shown here in Fresh Talent are pushing boundaries, focusing on user first designs and working across disciplines. Nothing is a challenge, it’s a very exciting time for design in Ireland!”

The work featured in Fresh Talent includes a selection of products from emerging design studio Gazel, graduate collections from fashion designer Richard Malone and pieces reflecting the breadth of disciplines practiced by acclaimed Dublin-based designers Cian Corcoran and Ahmad Fakhry of Designgoat. For more details on the designers and makers invovled, read their bios here.  

With loads of workshops and activities on throughout the run, there's lots to get involved with between now and March 18th when the show closes.

CURATOR’S TALK

Fri 6 Feb, 6pm Angela O’Kelly in conversation with guests

DRAWING AS RESEARCH

Fri 13 Feb, Wed 25 Feb, Wed 11 Mar, 10.30am -12.30pm

Explore drawing as a tool for developing creative ideas with Inga Reed

FAMILY DAY: POP PRINTS

Sat 14 Feb 10.30am & 12 noon

Design a unique pattern or drawing and learn to print it with Mella Cahill

CRAFTERNOON: FRESH PRINTS

Sat 14 Feb, 2.30pm -4.30pm

Design and produce your own linocut relief print with Mella Cahill

LATE DATE: MEET THE MAKERS

Thurs 26 Feb, 6.30pm Fresh Approaches to Jewellery with Arturo Borrego

SCHOOLS WORKSHOPS

Tues 3, Wed 4, Thur 5, Fri 6 March 10am & 1.30pm

Exhibition talk and hands on print workshop with Caroline Ryan

INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY WORKSHOP

Sun 8 March, 12- 2pm & 3pm -5pm

Object: Portrait, assemblage, collage, juxtaposition with artist Kate O Kelly

FAMILY DAY: SET DESIGN CREATIONS

Sat 14 March, 10.30 & 12noon

Set Design Creations with Orla Reynolds

Words by Alex Calder.