Art on the Farm is a unique summer program where students study drawing, painting, photography, or moving image arts alongside practicing visual artists in a focused and intimate studio environment. You will work closely with artists dedicated to fostering your creative growth, experience Ireland engaging with a new culture renowned for its warmth, wit, and exceptional artistic achievement.
Students of all skill levels benefit from our personal attention and guidance. You will be challenged to experiment beyond your boundaries, consider new possibilities for art-making, and use your chosen medium to relate your ideas to content. During Art on the Farm's 28-day multidisciplinary program, you will complete excellent portfolio pieces for advanced placement and college applications.
Curriculum
At the core of our curriculum is drawing; additionally, you will choose an area of concentration in either painting, photography, or moving image arts. Each day begins with a drawing lesson exploring the themes of light, space, color, and movement, which may then be applied to any creative process. Through expertly guided classes and rigorous studio practice, you will see drastic advancements in your technical knowledge and ability. We encourage a multidisciplinary approach during our summer program, which may include exploring an idea or theme through various materials, processes, or media.
In addition to our practical demonstrations and workshops, our curriculum is centered around research, experimentation, and critical thinking. Group critiques and individual tutorials form an integral part of our program, helping you gain confidence and self-awareness in discussing your artwork. Furthermore, lectures and gallery visits will introduce you to various artists working in relevant media. These engagements give context to your interests and further inform your own artwork.
All kinds of high school students with diverse backgrounds come to Cow House. Many have a lot of experience and plan to pursue a career in the arts. In contrast, others arrive with minimal experience in the art room but are eager to improve their artistic abilities. The most essential quality our students possess is a desire to make art.
Embracing this variance, you will be paired with a mentor who will work with you on an individual basis. Our mentors are accomplished visual artists dedicated to working with young people. Through various tutorials and assignments tailored to your needs and goals, our mentors provide one-on-one attention. This caring approach is necessary to guide you through the technical and conceptual challenges to make your ideas tangible.
Concentrations
- Option 1: Drawing & Painting
- Option 2: Drawing & Photograph
Sample workshops, presentations & classes:
- making a cyanotype
- introduction to printing in the darkroom
- the history & processes of photography
- introduction to oil painting
- life drawing
- shooting video & recording audio
- digital manipulation in Adobe Photoshop
- presentations by Irish artists
Weeks 1 & 2
- Intensive workshops in drawing, painting, photography, and video
- Brief led projects: you will develop specific skills while exploring your chosen subject matter in your area of concentration
- Trips to Dublin and the west of Ireland provide inspiration and artistic, cultural, and historical context
- Group critique provides feedback as you refine your work
- Collaborative projects based on contemporary artwork
Personal Projects
For the next 10 days choose your medium and explore personally meaningful contentDevelop your project under the individual guidance of one of our artists
A Typical Day at Cow House Studios
Breakfast is at 9 am. Then we meet in the studio at 10 am for the first workshop, typically focusing on drawing to get the creative juices flowing. A short break at 11 am for a refresh is followed by a second session beginning at 11:15 am. Here, you will work in your chosen area of concentration; painting, photography, or moving image arts.
Lunch is served from 1 pm to 2 pm. After lunch, we return to the studio for our third session of the day. Typically, working through a brief led assignment designed to develop a specific skill while enabling you to explore your own subject matter. Between 5 pm and 6 pm is open studio time where faculty give individual attention and tutorials. You can also explore the farm, read a book, or catch up with friends and family back home.
Dinner, a yummy home-cooked meal, is served at 7 pm. After dinner, you may use the studio facilities to continue developing your projects, watch a movie, play a game of pool, or partake in one of our many organized evening activities.
