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Established in July 2022, “An Chead Tine” Art Organisation, due to a unique need for supportive workspaces for local artists, is a not for profit organisation, integral to the visual arts ecology and cultural landscape of Kilkenny. It is run voluntarily by a Board of Directors and artists.
Our objective was to offer a city center studio/work spaces for visual artists from County Kilkenny to help them develop and progress their practice. We aim to provide a supportive working environment that addresses key points in the creative cycle by which art is made. We focus on emerging artists but are also dedicated to supporting artists at all stages of career.
In Aug 2022 we opened our first studio space at No 9 Ormonde Road Kilkenny. We moved to a larger space in April 2022 to No 10 Del La Salle House The Parade Kilkenny, where we now have 6 studio spaces. We also have a new additional studio space down in An Chead Tine Art Gallery and an extended space for a short term period at St James Park Kilkenny.

In summer 23 we  acquired a new exhibition space in a central location in the city at 1st floor Dunnes Stores Kieran Street Kilkenny. The gallery was opened by TD John McGuiness on the eve of the 50th anniversary of Kilkenny Arts Festival 23 with a group exhibition Making Ground curated by Shannon Carroll. 
In the first year the gallery displayed 6 group exhibitions and 3 solo exhibitions and held many workshops, poetry readings and art classes.  
We will continue  to deliver contemporary exhibitions which will be announced through an open submission call. 
The aim of setting up the gallery is to provide a platform for local and Irish  artists' to promote their work and practice and to make art accessible to the general public. This initiative was led by our director Mary Doyle Burke with great support from local manager at Dunnes Stores Kilkenny at Dunnes Stores Kilkenny, Katie Quinn. The gallery is now run by our management team of Mary Doyle Burke, Liam O Neill, and Marco Di Sant, along with assistance from Katie Quinn and Niamh Curry. We also have a dedicated team of volunteers who work as gallery Invigilators and support the management team in many ways. If you wish to join our team of volunteers please contact Liam O Neill on : isgoneill@gmail.com

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Our gallery and Studios are proudly run by a dedicated group of artists and volunteers. Ireland boasts incredible talent, and we are committed to showcasing it to the people of Kilkenny and all our visitors.

If you appreciate our work, consider joining our community and becoming a friend of An Chéad Tine for just €100 per year. Together, we can keep the visual arts vibrant in our city!