Open 10:30–5:00, Tuesday – Saturday
Enrich your practice as an Artist – Teacher – Researcher this September…
Artist-Teacher-Researcher/ Autumn Creative Surge
Saturday 6th September 9am-2pm
Are you an art-teacher at second level or similar, or an artist working in the education sector, with a keen interest to keep up to speed with your own professional development, whether your Fine Art or Design practice is active or passive, we believe that the ‘researcher’ part of your role as teacher/artist can be stimulated and engaged both for you and your students, and through our programme with 3 sessions per year to engage and help you develop and remain sustained and stimulated.
What’s in store?
The morning begins with an artist-led workshop by painter Deirdre Frost, who recently exhibited in A Thread Between Us (July-August 2025) curated by Highlanes Gallery’s Artist-Teacher-Researcher Curatorial Group, where you will explore composition as an expressive tool, as reflected in Deirdre’s own practice, using drawing materials and paints*; and after a short break for tea, coffee and a morning bun, you board our ATR bus to travel to meet Fellow Emeritus of Trinity College and former Professor of the History of Art, Roger Stalley, to view the magnificent high crosses at Monasterboice, and where he will focus on the enigmatic medieval sculptor behind these masterpieces, including the renowned Muireadach’s Cross. After returning to the gallery and a short courtyard networking and connecting lunch, we close the day with a peer curatorial group discussion led by our six Artist-Teacher-Researcher group, exploring Maud Cotter’s current exhibition maelstrom, and where she has responded to the gallery’s collection. This discussion will serve to demonstrate and activate a quality engagement with contemporary and historic art (in any gallery) informally and what shared reflection and discussion can offer you as an Artist-Teacher-Research in your professional development.
Spend a half day connecting. This intense and dynamic session series will stimulate and invigorate you, as you evolve through the multiple aspects of your professional life as an Artist-Teacher-Researcher.
Artist-Teacher-Researcher/ Autumn Kick-Starter
Saturday 6th September 9.00am-2pm
Highlanes Gallery, the municipal art gallery for Drogheda and the North East is situated in the heart of the Boyne Valley, rich in historic and contemporary heritage and art.
Making Space – In this workshop with painter Deirdre Frost, you will explore composition as an expressive tool. By using physical elements of the everyday, in this workshop you will investigate multiple methods that will enable you to develop their own tool kit for approaching the blank page with intentionality and playfulness. Aspects considered in developing composition are mood, connection and the viewer. You will work with paint on plywood, a material that Deirdre favours, as well as seeing examples of Deirdre’s work.
For you to bring – images on phone/printout:
· An image each of 3 buildings in your local environment.
· 3 images of a plants, or everyday objects familiar to you
· 3 images of full figures/people
Schedule – at a glance
- 8.50am-Check in, Highlanes Gallery
- 9am-10.30am Gallery-based practical workshop led by painter Deirdre Frost*
- 10.40am Travel by bus to Monasterboice to Muireadach’s Cross
- 11am-12.15pm – A tour of Muireadach’s Cross led by Roger Stalley
- 12.20pm – Return by bus to Highlanes Gallery
- 12.40pm – Informal lunch* in the courtyard, weather permitting
- 1.05pm Group response talk led by Eileen Brennan, Kieran Gallagher, Bairbre Geraghty, Veronica Lavin, Ciarán Power and Roisin O’Sullivan, focusing on Maud Cotter’s exhibition maelstrom and her response and selection from the gallery’s Collection.
- 1.50/2pm – Session Ends
Artist-Teacher-Researcher/ Autumn Event Fee: The session is charged at €30 and includes all materials and refreshments.
Note 1: After completing the session you will be emailed the CPD Certificate.
Note 2: Dietary Asks – Please email scolfer@highlanes.ie on booking with any dietary requirements you may have.
Inspire your professional life as an Artist-Teacher-Researcher with our Autumn Event.
