List of Projects to date

The following is the full list of UPSTART projects that have taken place since the initiative began in 2010. This list also includes projects that are being supported this year.

2025.

My Special Place
Artist/facilitator Orla McConnan Bakeburg and service users from Belmullet Day services will collaborate on a series of workshops and field trips culminating in a slide show which will be exhibited in Áras Inis Gluaire, Belmullet on International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Photography & Art Workshop
Artist/facilitator, Michael Gannon will work with a group of service users from the Cran Mor centre, Ballinrobe to develop a photography project with Reminiscence as its primary theme. The workshops will result in an exhibition in Westport on or around International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Through a Different Lens’
Artist/facilitator, Michael Gannon will collaborate with artists from the Carrowbeg artists collective on a series of 12 alternitive photographic practice workshops over 3 months hosted by the Custom House Studios, Westport and culminating in an exhibition at the Custom House Studios in early 2026.

Sensing Lannagh
Visual Artist Emma O’Donogue and Benjamin Fox from Irish Lights will work with A.T.U. Mayo Project WAVE students with intellectual disabilities at the Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar over Three Workshops in November this year. The group will develop skills in the use of origami, textiles, and recycled items. Musical duo Irish Lights will be guest artists at one workshop where the group will create a soundscape to accompany the tactile art works which will be exhibited in Linenhall Arts Centre in December this year.

The Lens of Fairy Tales
Artist/facilitator, Ruby Staunton, will deliver six weeks of workshops to artists from the Luisne Art group, Ballinrobe. The project will look at pastels as a medium for personal storytelling, interpreted through the lens of fairy tales. The workshops will culminate in an exhibition at The Courtyard Gallery, National Museum of Ireland- Country Life during November and December this year.

Musical Emotions
Ballina Arts Centre will host this Creative and Inclusive Music and Theatre Project in which artists/facilitators, Stephen Doyle (Drama Director) and Ryan Cawley (Musical Director) will collaborate with members of the Scannan Day Service, Ridgepool Service, and Praxis Service. The Ballina based groups will create a devised music/theatre performance using elements such as sound, movement, and rhythm. The Work will commence at the end of this month and the performance will take place at Ballina Arts centre on 3rd December this year.

Ealaín trí mo shúile “Art Through My Eyes.”
Members of The Hub, a group of people with disabilities based in Ballina will work over a series of 10 workshops facilitated by Artist Catherine Gannon, using collage techniques as a
tool for sketchbooks, drawing, painting, textiles, and memory art. The workshops will culminate in an exhibition at Ballina Arts centre on 3rd December, this year.

From Wheel to Wonder
Artist/facilitator, Elzbieta Szczerbak will facilitate a series of pottery workshops to service users from Western Care Association, Claremorris from April to June this year.

2024.

The Púca Fada.
Artist Catherine Bourne worked with young people based in and around Ballina on A prop-making and script writing workshop from which a short film was developed.

Dancing with our senses.
The Carrowbeg Artist’s collective, Westport participated in a twelve-week dance workshop project facilitated by artist Bernadette Divilly, which resulted in a performance at the Custom House Studios, Westport.

Sensory Ceramic.
Members of the FACT Social Club, Foxford collaborated with artist Elzbieta Szczerbak, on a series of workshops culminating in the creation of ceramic pieces inspired by nature which were displayed in a garden setting.

Make Music.
Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar and artist Catherine McClinchey, supported by Music Generation Mayo delivered three participatory music workshops aimed at children and young adults with disabilities the workshops culminated in a performance at the Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar.

A film about my work.
Artist/facilitator Noreen Lydon and members of the Luisne Art Group, Ballinrobe developed a series of photography and film workshops which resulted in the production of a short film and an exhibition at the Linenhall Arts Centre Castlebar.

2023.

Art by the Moy.
A series of visual arts workshops facilitated by artist Catherine Gannon to members of the Hub,a group of service users from Western Care Association, Ballina. Using collage techniques as tools for sketchbooks, drawing, painting, textiles, and memory. the group created a body of work which culminated in an exhibition at Ballina Arts Centre, Ballina.

So Nice Day.
Artist Christine Prescott worked with the Carrowbeg Artists collective at the custom House Studios, Westport on a collaboration that took place over 12 weeks. The artist and participants worked together using a combination of Eco-Art and Forest Bathing methods, engaging in a highly sensory and process orientated practice. The project culminated in an exhibition of documentary photographs and sculptures at the custom House Studios.

Say What You See.
Artist Gus Lynott.
an exhibition of the paintings of Gus Lynott curated by Mayo artist Ian Wieczorek took place in July-August 2023 in the Ballina Civic Offices, Ballina. the exhibition was accompanied by a one-day symposium.

The Infinite Light.
A collaboration between visual artist Cathal McCarthy & The Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar which ran for one week in November 2023. The sensory visual art installation and light lab experience was aimed at young people with disabilities and their families. Established works such as McCarthy’s immersive experiential ‘Rainbow in A box’ was also exhibited with an engagement programme entitled Light Lab.

Illustration & Video.
the Luisne Art Group along with visiting artist Pamela Grey and visual artist Breda Byrnes collaborated on a drawing and animation project. the advanced drawing workshops fead into the creation of a video which culminated in an exhibition at the Linenhall Arts Centre Castlebar which ran for a week in November 2023.

2022.

Before you Can’t
A short film created by artist Eric Fitzgerald.

Speechless.
Artist Fiacre Ryan.
the creation of a book documenting his own unique observations about the world from the perspective of a writer with autism.

Joy In the Air.
Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar, artist Phillida Eves and students from St Nicholas School, Ballina.
An immersive, interactive workshop project.

Drawing with Mindfulness.
Luisne Art Group, Ballinrobe and artist Maeve Clancy.
A series of advanced drawing workshops.

Circus.
Scannán Technologies artists Stephen Doyle, Ryan Cawley and Ballina Arts Centre.
A series of drama and music workshops leading to a performance.

Art Feels Like Home.
The Hub, Ballina, artist Claire Griffin and Ballina Arts Centre.
A series of workshops exploring batik through reflective and experimental practice culminating in an exhibition.

2019.

The Artists Space
Carrowbeg Artists Collective, Westport, artist Orla Casey and The Custom House Studios, Westport.
A series of workshops using vertual reality technology culminating in an exhibition.

Beauty Is In The eye Of The Beholder.
Crann Mór Centre, Ballinrobe, Artist Terri Mitchell, Sean Murphy and service users from the centr, our personal perceptions.
A mixed media visual arts project comprising a series of visual arts workshops.

Light Through Our Dreams.
Luisne Art Group, Artist Breda Murphy and ceramic artist Amanda Hickey. Ballinrobe.
The creation of A ceramic art installation based on shadow and light culminating in an exhibition..
Ceramic Exploration.
Newport Resource Centre, Silverlodge and Primrose Day Services, Artist Henri Hedou and Balla Community Centre, Balla.
A series of ceramic workshops culminating in a celebratory event.

Handmade.
Ridgepool Training Centre, Ballina, artist Henri Hedou, Lismirrane Arts Centre, Bohola and Ballina Arts Centre, Ballina.
A ceramic art project culminating in an exhibition.

2018.

Sound Piece.
Carrowbeg Artists Collective, international DJ Christopher Ceo and the Custom House Studios, Westport.
A project using music and rhythm as a form of self expression.

The Hero’s Journey.
Down Syndrome Mayo, Castlebar and artist Anne Connolly.
A series of creative workshops culminating in the development of an art-work.
Our World View (Through the Looking Glass)
Ridgepool Training Centre, Ballina, artist, Claire Griffin and Ballina Arts Centre.
A visual art printmaking project culminating in a body of work.
This project was also Mayo County council’s UPSTART 2018/Creative Ireland project.

Words Into Community.
Scannán Technologies, Ballina, artist Helen Falconer and Ballina Library.
A series of creative writing workshops culminating in a short body of work.

A Winter Wish at the Quiet Tree.
St Bríds school, Castlebar, artists Thomas Johnston & Orla Kelly from Ceol Connected and the Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar.
A multi-sensory music and theatre performance and accompanying workshops.

2017.

Percussion workshops.
Ballyhaunis and Claremorris day service and percussionist Anthony McNamee.
A series of percussion workshops.

Food as Art.
Carrowbeg Artists collective, Westport, Custom House Studios, Westport, artists Caroline Masterson, Gráinne O’Reilly and chef, Áine Maguire,
A cookery book and exhibition.

Percussion workshops.
Crann Mór Centre, Ballinrobe and percussionist Anthony McNamee.
A series of percussion workshops.

Sanctuary
Down Syndrome Mayo, Castlebar, Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar and Blue Teapot Theatre Company, Galway.
A film screening, a post show discussion and a series of drama workshops.

The Ukulele ; and Me.
Rural Training Centre, Castlebar and artist Con Murphy.
A series of skills development workshops plus performance.

Stained Glass.
Western Care Erris, Áras Inis Gluaire, Belmullet and artist Gabrielle Bishop,
A series of Stained glass workshops plus presentation.

2016.

Art Book.
Carrowbeg Artists collective , Westport, Custom House Studios, Westport and artists Mary C Reilly and Susie Quinn.
A series of Print/book binding workshops culminating in an exhibition.

The Community” seen through our eyes.
Hawthorn Social Housing group, Swinford, Mayo Artsquad and the O’Dwyer Arts Centre, Bohola.
A series of Visual arts workshops culminating in an exhibition.

My Clinical Life.
Katie Moore, Artist.
The creation of an Installation, video and exhibition.

Around the world in so many ways.
Luisne Art Group, Ballinrobe and Scannán Technologies group, Ballina.
The development of a shaddow show film and a visual arts exhibition.

Path.
Artists Pat Youell, Maura Gilligan and the Rural Training Centre, Castlebar.
A series of Visual arts and creative writing workshops culminating in an exhibition.

Sound Warriors.
Ridgepool Training Centre, Ballina, Ballina Arts Centre, Ballina and percussionist, Anthony McNamee.
a series of Percussion workshops culminating in performance.

2015.

Ceramics.
Carrowbeg Artists Collective & The Custom House Studios, Westport.
A series of workshops culminating in an exhibition.

The Gift.
Luisne Art Group, Ballinrobe and Scannán Technology group, Ballina.
a series of Skill sharing workshops culminating in an exhibition plus the development of an animated istop motion film culminating in a screening.

The Days of Surprise.
Poet Paul Durcan and the Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar.
An Irish Sign Language interpreted Poetry Reading.

St Bríds school, Castlebar, artists Mary Curran and Fiona Lavin.
A series of percussion workshops culminating in a performance.

Western Care Association, Erris, Áras Inis Gluaire, Bellmullet and artist Debbie Beirne.
A series of Percussion workshops culminating in a performance.

2014.

Drawing the Greenway.
Carrowbeg Artists Collective & The Custom House Studios, Westport.
The development of a film and a screening.

At Home in the Universe.
Luisne Art Group, Ballinrobe, Connaught Creative Resource Centre, Castlebar, artists Breda Murphy, Breda Burns and the Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar.
A series of visual arts workshops culminating in an exhibition.

St. Bríd’s and St. Anthony’s schools, Castlebar. The Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar and New Moon Theatre Company, Galway.
A series of participatory workshops plus performances.

Journey.
Western Care, Erris, Áras Inis Gluaire, Belmullet & theatre artist Gemma Gallagher.
A series of Drama workshops culminating in a performance.

2013.

sculpture.
Carrowbeg Artists Collective, artist Roger Harley and The Custom House Studios, Westport.
A series of sculpture workshops culminating in an exhibition.

Open Arms.
Luisne Art Group, dance artist Rachel Parry & visual artist Breda Murphy: Ballinrobe.
A series of movement workshops, a visual arts exhibition and video.

Light Catcher.
Rural Training Centre, Local Disability Groups, Lismirrane Arts Centre, Bohola & artist Tom Meskell.
A series of visual arts workshops culminating in an exhibition.

Worlds of Music.
Western Care Association, Castlebar, Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar, artist Robbie Harris,
A series of Percussion workshops culminating in a performance.

2012.

The Colour of a Corridor
An Coilín and artist Deirdre Walsh, Castlebar.
A series of visual arts workshops.

Carrowbeg Artists Collective and the Custom House Studios, Westport.
A series of Participatory print-making workshops.

Let It roll.
Connaught Creative Resource centre, Castlebar and the Linenhall Arts Centre: Castlebar.
The development of a touring visual arts exhibition.

Creation Animation.
LUISNE Art Project and Tacú Family Resource Centre, Ballinrobe.
The creation of A film animation through a series of workshops.

Reimagined.
Rural Training Centre and artist Tom Meskell, Castlebar.
A series of Sculpture workshops plus the creation of a video.

Shake It Make It.
Western Care, Eris, Áras Inis Gluaire, Belmullet and ; artist Peter Crann.
A series of Percussion workshops culminating in a performance.

2011.

Carrowbeg Artists collective and the Custom House Studios, Westport.
An interactive print-making project culminating in an Exhibition.

Connaught Creative Resource Centre and the Linenhall Arts Centre: Castlebar. ‘Taking Flight ‘
A visual arts exhibition plus a screening of the film ‘ Living Colour’

LUISNE Art Project and Tacú Family Resource Centre, Ballinrobe.
An exhibition of poetry and painting.

Martino and Karenet.
Ridgepool Training Centre and Ballina Arts Centre, Ballina.
A devised drama performance.,

Making art the fun way.
Western Care Association, Ballina and Ballinglen Arts Foundation, Ballycastle.
A series of visual arts workshops.

What I Can Do and What I Have To Say.
Western Care Erris and Áras Inis Gluaire: Belmullet.
A series of visual arts workshops culminating in an and exhibition.

2010.

Carrowbeg Artists collective and the Custom House Studios, Westport.
A screen-printing training project.

Mayo Artsquad, Rural Training Centre, National Learning Network, and the Connaught Creative Resource Centre, Castlebar.
An interactive arts workshop in clay, weaving and painting.

The Fanciful Hotel.
Ridgepool Training Centre artists Niamh McGrath, Mary Curran and Ballina Arts Centre, Ballina.
A music and drama project

St Bríd’s School and the Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar.
A participatory visual arts project.