A selection as items from the Ceramics Collection of Limerick School of Arts and Design TUS has been placed on display in the Mayor’s Office in Merchant’s Quay. In a partnership between Limerick Arts Office, Limerick City and County Council and LSAD, TUS, the Mayor has toured the campus and met with students before making his selection.
Over the years, LSAD, TUS have purchased works of graduates and have built up an impressive collection.
This new initiative is a wonderful opportunity to showcase works made in Limerick over a considerable time, by graduates of LSAD, to everyone visiting the Mayor’s Office.
The Ceramics programme in LSAD, TUS is approaching its 50th anniversary and has a long-standing reputation for excellence and is the largest specialist ceramics programme in Ireland.
Over the years, it has produced generations of leading creative practitioners, artists, designers, potters, educators, curators and innovators within the cultural and design sector.
Having originated from an initial philosophy led by distinctly traditional production areas of practice of the potter’s studio, industrial production and the decorative or fine art maker, in more recent years it has developed to embrace a broader spectrum of practice, reflecting and evolving in line with changing philosophies and approaches in contemporary ceramic practice.
The programme nurtures students with a broad range of discipline specific and transferable skills, grounded in thinking through making and the transformative potential of material-based engagement.
Students are exposed to an extensive range of creative practice through the combined development of traditional core skills and cutting-edge technologies and are supported to innovate and establish their own individual creative voice as the next generation of artists and designers within this vibrant, inclusive and contemporary field.
Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Daniel Butler said: “It was fantastic to meet students from LSAD,TUS, and hear about their creative interests. Culture forges our identity as a contemporary city. I am delighted to have this opportunity to showcase these vibrant ceramics against the backdrop of the River Shannon.”
Mike Fitzpatrick Dean Limerick School of Art and Design /Director of Cultural Engagement, TUS said: “TUS Limerick School of Art and Design is delighted and honoured to have some of our Ceramic Collection on display in the Mayor's Office of Limerick city and county. This demonstrates the importance that the first citizen places on culture and education within our city. We look forward to the growth of culture infrastructure in the city to parallel its economic growth and resurgence. It’s a special year for LSAD celebrating our new University status and our 170th year.”
Pippa Little Arts Officer, Limerick City and County Council said: “Displaying this work celebrates Limerick’s creative energy and talent. LSAD, TUS is a vital part of our creative eco-system, whose graduating students go on to make their mark locally, nationally and internationally. This initiative delivers on the Limerick Cultural Strategy by growing Limerick’s Cultural capacity by retaining and attracting creative practitioners to live and work in Limerick and by fostering multiple examples of imagination, innovation and integration in Limerick and to use creative approaches to help citizens and visitors to re-imagine Limerick.”