Draíocht News Update - 15 May 2020

Have you ever been in our Main Auditorium with the seats out? It’s HUGE! Now we realise just how lucky we are to have a flexible seating rig. It’s time for a re-imagined space and as soon as we can try it out, we’ll be back in Draíocht making this dream a reality for you and for us!

We have the potential to create a whole new experience for you, while we maintain social distancing and perhaps even add in table service from our bar. We may never go back! Stay tuned as we fine-tune our plans!

In the meantime, we are all meeting regularly online, planning for the future as best we can. Our Director Emer is now a member of the Working Group, recently established by Theatre Forum, to feed into the guidelines/resources they are developing around the re–opening of all Arts Centres. We’ll keep you posted!


We now have two Covid19 Temporary Box Office Phone Numbers, for ticket enquiries, Monday-Friday 10am-6pm:
083-084 7249 / 083-028 9771
Or maybe you just want a Draíocht Chat? Philippa & Cliona are at the end of the phones, happy to assist.

If you need specific assistance, the best way to contact any of our staff at the moment is by email.

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SUPPORT OUR ARTISTS AND BUY A PRINT

Draíocht’s forthcoming exhibition ‘MAKing Art: PRINTing’, curated by Sharon Murphy, will open later this Season once we’re back in action.
For now though, you can preview all the work from Graphic Studio Dublin in our Online Gallery, complete with Artists Biogs and Prices. Thanks to Robert Russell, Studio Director of Graphic Studio Dublin for this introduction to the work.

The artists are all Fingal based, and if you are interested in supporting their work by pre-purchasing a print, framed or unframed, please email nicola@draiocht.ie and we can take your payment by phone and organise swift payment to the artists.

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SHOW US YOUR ART - 250 SUBMISSIONS SO FAR

If all things go to plan, it's likely that Draíocht’s Galleries can reopen around July 20th. First up, we are delighted to showcase the wonderful submissions we’ve received over our 12 week #SHOWUSYOURART Project, with an Exhibition of the work in our Ground Floor Gallery.

We are already approaching Week 8 and the theme for next week is ‘Nature From Your Garden’

"While we may miss the sights and sounds of faraway places, there's still so much that can surprise you from the safety of your own garden! Explore every corner of your garden or nearby patch of grass to gather supplies, discover new things, or find inspiration for this weeks artwork!"

Interested in letting a mini-artist take part? Simply take a photo of your child's art work and email it to Paula Nolan Quinn at paula@draiocht.ie by the deadline each week. Tell us your child's first name & age (this may be posted on social media with your permission with their gorgeous artwork for all to enjoy)

So keep your art safe at home and keep on creating!


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FAMILY DAY WITH GEN

#CreateAtHome - My Dream Day - Make your Own Animation Set
#CreateAtHome - Artist Genevieve Harden has created this amazing workshop to help you create your own Animation Set, complete with backdrop, props and a mini photo of yourself in the middle of all the action, on your dream day.

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CRUINNIÚ NA NÓG - 13 JUNE 2020

Cruinniú na nÓg is Ireland's national day of free creativity for children and young people on 13th June.

In this, its 3rd year, everything is going to be presented online! Draíocht, with the support of Creative Fingal, is thrilled to be able to commission 6 artists to create 18 videos for young people of all ages.

Launching on 13th June and continuing weekly, join us on our Facebook and YouTube Channels to enjoy free workshops with Andrew Carson, Anne Cradden, Conor Donelan, Genevieve Harden, Emily Matthews and Jo Quinn. Everything you will need for a fantastic day of creativity is available; from Mindfulness to Yoga & Dance, Architecture to Puppet Making; and Nature Trails to Creative Writing.

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NEWS FROM OUR FRIENDS

Fingal Arts Office - Let’s Stay Together

Let’s Stay Together is a Fingal Arts Office initiative connecting artists and communities during Covid-19.

In this week's episode, Arts Officer Rory O’Byrne welcomes Fingal artist Una Sealy, who lives and works in Howth.
Una is best known for her depictions of family life and portraits, and in this interview, she takes us through her process of how to paint a portrait, from start to finish, with her son Douglas.

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First Fortnight - Collectively Counting by Stephen James Smith

Collectively Counting is a call for us all to pause for a moment and count together the many questions and wanderings that this time has brought to us.
Brought to us by First Fortnight, Ireland's Mental Health Festival, in collaboration with poet Stephen James Smith and director Craig Kenny with accompanying music from Gareth Quinn Redmond and Conor J. O’Brien (Villagers).

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#TheAxisChats

Our Friends in Axis Ballymun have an amazing series of half hour interviews with performers and those that work in the arts. Some you will know, some you might not, but all have a great story to tell, from Ballymun and beyond.

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TRY SOMETHING NEW - SEND A POSITIVE POSTCARD

From an office that practically runs on cups of tea, we can certainly relate to this gorgeous design from our friends in Treetop Studio.

These cards will add a pop of colour to your loved ones day and hopefully make them smile too. All profits go to Feed the Heroes campaign and they are unfortunately SOLD OUT now. But it’s prompted us to think about popping a positive postcard to someone we’re missing to give them a smile and let them know we’re thinking of them. Zoom is great, but getting something in the post is even better we think!

Printing kindly sponsored by Sooner Than Later.

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MORE BABY NEWS

There’s definitely something in the water in Draíocht for sure! Our Technical Stage Manager Laura is now the proud mother of these cute baby chicks … pictured here having a CHICK-NIC with their mammy! We know where we’ll be driving as soon as the 5km ban is lifted!


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THANK YOU

These are tough times for arts venues all around the country. If you can support us at this time with a donation, no matter the amount, it would mean the world to us, or you can purchase a Gift Voucher for future use. We've been blown away by your generosity so far, so a huge thank you from all of us.

From our homes to your homes, when you need us, we will be there.
Tell us how we can help? Email marketing@draiocht.ie