Mary Wallace Email and Phone Number

I am a contemporary Visual Artist with over twenty years experience practising in the arts in Ireland. Recent solo exhibitions include Artsource in RDS and my annual event at Wexford Festival Opera. My style has been described as unique, vibrant and contemporary. Finding inspiration in ordinary everyday things - a simple tea bowl, a flower, a hen, a fish - I paint precious bowls, moonjars, exotic flowers and fruit, flamboyant hens and cockerels, fish and other figurative creatures.Visit www.artwallace.com to see my paintings, prints and cards.Read my blog www.artwallace.wordpress.com to hear stories about my work and inspiration.Follow me : www.instagram.com/artmarywallace https://www.facebook.com/artwallaceart/I have a hands-on approach to all aspects of art programming and event management. With an extensive exhibition record of over fifty solo and group shows since 2001, I have curated and organised more than half of those exhibitions. My organisational ability extends to devising original and stimulating programmes; developing ideas; budget management; organising venues; installation; catalogue presentation; promotion including design of posters and invitation; collaborating with printer on all creative and layout aspects of promotional material; PR; preparing press releases; mass email delivery; media coverage including television, radio and print interviews before and after the event.My involvement as an advocate for the arts began when I was a member of the Board of Directors of Wexford Arts Centre (1998 to 2002). I sat on the Visual Arts programming sub-committee and later was Vice-chairman. My work with The Heritage Council since 2010 gives me first hand experience of the powerful story of the value of public investment in arts and culture. Likewise my involvement with the Artist in the Community Scheme (Wexford County Council) and the Visual Artists in Prisons Scheme since 2012.

Working in the area of artistic and cultural heritage I have facilitated hundreds of projects with over 7000 children in 50 primary schools across Ireland since 2010. Some notable outcomes of this activity are to engage, educate and advocate a wider understanding of the vital contribution that our heritage and culture makes to our social, environmental and economic well-being. I work collaboratively with the teacher in the Visual Arts and SESE areas of the curriculum using a broad range of art media covering many aspects of our national heritage. Irish heritage is wonderfully rich and on our doorstep. Our local history -the Vikings, Normans, walled towns, castles, monastic settlements, nature reserves - are exceptional resources. Folktales, myths, legends, local traditions and customs are other reserves we explore. Using our imagination we research and investigate many aspects of our national heritage - from the multicoloured hair of Cúchulainn to Boyne valley carvings, illuminated manuscripts, high crosses. Encouraging our young people to think and work creatively is vital.In addition to the core art strands covered by the Primary School curriculum I have worked with children on larger-scale projects such as murals and mosaics.My work with children was highlighted in the Sunday Business Post some years back. There is a link below if you want to see more about this.'HANDS ON – Colour and Paint' is a manual and guide for primary school teachers which I have written and is due for publication by Potter's Yard Press.

Appointment to the Artist in the Community (County Wexford) panel has resulted in my developing a strong participative arts practice working with community groups including adults, senior citizens, youth, children, people with intellectual and physical disability, acquired brain injury and womens groups. It is wonderful to see creativity and confidence grow as I introduce new techniques and ways of creating artwork. My participatory practice involves me in every aspect of a project from planning and design to co-ordinating and delivery of the arts service. In addition to organisational skills this also entails devising and implementing art programmes for community groups; sourcing additional funding; needs assessment; monitoring; review; reporting; and evaluation. My ability to organise, prioritise and allocate work; leadership; team management; Health & Safety; drafting child and vulnerable adult protection policies are just a few more ingredients to the skillset required to run a successful project.

Qualified from the 5th Professional Course out of the new system for education in Incorporated Law Society of Ireland. Apprenticeship completed with Daniel O'Connell & Son, Dundalk under Master Frank Mc Ardle. Worked for Foley O'Cuinneagain & Co, Enniscothy; Val W. Stone & Co, Wexford and various locum positions. Then I discovered my true calling.