Make art in Ireland during this three-week summer course, studying painting, drawing & photography. Live on our family farm, work in a beautiful studio, and travel the county from Dublin to the West.
Art on the Farm presents a unique opportunity to study painting, drawing and
photography alongside practicing visual artists in a focused and intimate studio
environment. During this three-week multidisciplinary course, young artists
experience Ireland’s stunning landscapes and bustling cities, engage with a new
culture and work closely with experienced artists who are dedicated to fostering
their creative growth. Students of all skill levels benefit from personal attention and
guidance, are challenged to experiment beyond their boundaries and consider new
possibilities for art-making.
At Cow House Studios we teach drawing, painting and photography through
expertly guided classes and rigorous studio practice. Our curriculum is centred
around research, experimentation and critical thinking, complimented by practical
demonstrations and workshops to advance technical knowledge. Group critiques
and individual tutorials form an integral part of our programme, as students
gain confidence and self-awareness in discussing their artwork. We encourage a
multidisciplinary approach, which can include exploring an idea or theme through a
variety of materials, processes or media.
During the first week of Art on the Farm, each student is paired with a mentor who
works with them on an individual basis for the duration of the programme. Our
mentors are accomplished visual artists, dedicated to working with young people.
Through individual tutorials and assignments that are tailored to each students
needs and goals, they provide the one-on-one attention necessary to guide students
through the technical and conceptual challenges they will face to make their ideas
tangible. In the third week, everyone works towards the completion of their own
final project. The spectrum of interests and experiences our students encounter
creates a stimulating dynamic and fertile opportunity for new possibilities of
creative expression.
Q & A with Crow Canyon Archeological Center
Q: What makes your camp or program unique?
A: We are a small program. We only take 20 students per session, and with five
dedicated artist educators our goal is to ensure everyone gets the most from their
time in the studio.
Cow House Studios coexists alongside the O’Gorman family farm. Co Director &
Founder, Rosie O’Gorman grew up on the farm and her father Michael still works
the land. The unique heritage of our location informs everyones experience during
the summer.
In addition to a rigorous studio experience Ireland’s rich cultural history, expansive
skies and beautiful landscapes are an endless source of inspiration for our students.
Art on the Farm includes two weekend trips; to the capital city, Dublin and various
sites of international historical significance.
Q: Describe a typical day in your camp or program.
A: A typical day on the farm starts around the breakfast table where we enjoy fresh
baked breads, homemade jam and good conversation. Our first class begins at
10am where we usually focus on a drawing exercise to get everyone warmed up for
the day. After a short break at 11:15 we're back in the studio for the first of our two
skills based workshops. These workshops can include a variety of topics ranging
from colour theory and mixing to hand processing film in the darkroom, making
cyanotypes or stretching a canvas. We serve a homemade lunch at 1pm and head
back to the studio at 2pm for the second workshop of the day. The afternoon is
spent in the studio working on assignments from earlier in the day or a personal
project, enjoying the farm, taking a spin on the bikes, hiking or even fishing for
dinner in the pond. A yummy dinner is served at 7pm, and evenings are spent
hanging out in the studio playing pool or pin pong. Many students continue to work
on their projects. Some nights we screen movies, have artist talks or an optional
evening activity like night photography.
Q: What type of teenager participates in your camp or program?
A: Everyone that attends Art on the Farm shares a passion for making art, traveling
and meeting new people. Some of our students have a lot of experience in the
art room, and are well on their way to making portfolios for their art school
applications. Many of our students have not yet had an opportunity to study art,
and attend our program to learn more about something they love. Lots of different
types of people attend our progam; there is always a great mix of personalities;
introspective, outgoing, academic, artsy and athletic. We like it this way.
Q: Where do your participants come from?
A: About 80% of our students come from the United States and Canada while the
remaining majority come from Europe. We have had students in the past from the
following countries... Canada, Columbia, China, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland,
Italy, Russia, Singapore, Spain and the United States
Q: Please describe what teens have to say about your program.
A: “Cow House is easily one of the best things that has ever happened to me.”
“there's seriously no program like this one and picking a new program for this year
is going to be more than difficult”
“I attribute a very large part of my success with art school admittance to the
guidance, support, and confidence that I received from Frank and Rosie”
“Applying to art school was a piece of cake because I had so much artwork that I
created at cow house that I was able to include in my portfolio.”
“the quality of education at Cow House is reliably superb!”
“This program was actually one of the most amazing experiences of my entire life!”
Q: Any other information you think teens should know about your program?
A: We have three sessions of 20 students each summer.
Our students range in age from 15 to 18 years old. Everyone lives together dorm
style in our lovingly renovated stone barn.
We have lots of animals... cows, pigs, hens, dogs, cats, a horse, fish, ducks and two
peacocks.
Comments about Art on the Farm at Cow House Studios
Got something to say about Art on the Farm at Cow House Studios? Click here to add your comment
EmMcClurg said...
Jun. 8, 2011 at 9:24 am:
Jun. 8, 2011 at 9:24 am:
I completely lucked into being a part of Frank and Rosie's first (and eventually third) year of Art on the Farm, but it really was one of the greatest and most beneficial experiences of my life this far. My first year, I had the goal of creating a portfolio with which to apply to my high school's AP Art course, and my second time at Cow House, I spent my time putting together a college portfolio with which to apply to art schools this past fall. Both endeavors proved to be very successful thanks... (more »)
Sarah B said...
Apr. 7, 2011 at 6:14 pm:
Apr. 7, 2011 at 6:14 pm:
Going to cow house was definitely the coolest summer experience I've had to date! I loved the people, the teachers, the farm, and the food!
Most importantly, I had every intention of going to art school. At cow house studios I had the opportunity to make some really great pieces for my portfolio. At cow house I had the time and resources to make some great paintings, installation art, and even stop motion videos to send to colleges. Applying to art school was a piece of cake beca... (more »)
Audrey L. said...
Mar. 22, 2011 at 10:39 pm:
Mar. 22, 2011 at 10:39 pm:
I traveled almost on a whim to the art on the farm program last summer. I had found the program randomly searching the internet one day and decided that I wanted to go almost immediately. I am pleased to say that when I finally go across the pond I was not in the least disappointed. Both Rosie and Frank are wonderful hosts that made me and my peers feel welcomed from our first stroll through the cow pastures. The program is also great for people of all levels of artistic experience. For instance... (more »)
amy w. said...
Mar. 19, 2011 at 1:14 pm:
Mar. 19, 2011 at 1:14 pm:
Since I am primarily interested in drawing and painting and wanted to improve my photography, Cow House was perfect for me because I could do all those things and more in any combination of my choice. As I became more interested in photography I was able to spend hours a day in the darkroom. But I could always go back to sketching in a field if that was what I felt like doing. And the quality of education at Cow House is reliably superb! Rosie and Frank are great at w... (more »)
lauren said...
Mar. 17, 2011 at 10:08 am:
Mar. 17, 2011 at 10:08 am:
This program was actually one of the most amazing experiences of my entire life! Cow House really opened my eyes to the world of art and my own talent. I would recommend it to ANYONE, even someone who was only a little interested in the arts, because it is such a friendly and constructive environment that it is enjoyable for everyone. This place is AMAZING!!!
arietta said...
Mar. 17, 2011 at 9:09 am:
Mar. 17, 2011 at 9:09 am:
I went to Cow House a few years ago, and it was easily one of the coolest experiences I've had so far. It's really great fun. :)
seeing arietta's comment reminded me that Cow House is also a great place to meet amazing people from around the world!
I've been to Cow house studio 2 years ago. It was a very nice experience! It's not a regular camp, but a artistic one. Frank and Rosie are very very good teacher: they push you to do what you like, find your own way to express your self, and help you to discover new form of art. I was very bad in photography, but it was not a big problem: we all spend hours on the dark room, having fun together.
So YES I recommend Cow house! if you enjoy art, and meeting people, this program is for you... (more »)
So YES I recommend Cow house! if you enjoy art, and meeting people, this program is for you... (more »)
Reviews of Art on the Farm at Cow House Studios
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Cow House Studios: Art on the Farm in Wexford, Ireland
Going to Ireland this past summer for the "Art on the Farm" summer program was probably one of the greatest experiences of my life to date. I spent... Read full article »
Even as I type this, I'm in the Cow House studio, watching one of the Residents work on a piece involving a camera hanging from the loft and a strange canvas/wood contraption. Cow House is easily one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Being a part of the farm doesn't just mean having access to an accommodating and educational environment in which to broaden your mind and knowledge base, it means being a part of an international family. Everyone is extremely supportive and friend... (more »)