Tuam artist among Galway award winners

TUAM based artist Karena Ryan is among the three Galway artists to win at the Design and Crafts Council Future Makers Awards.

The initiative recognises talent, potential and creativity. It is a platform to showcase the talent of the next generation of makers, designers, and craftspeople looking to take the step from training into enterprise and provides them with the much-needed financial support.

It covers a wide range of disciplines and recognises vision, innovation and excellence among students and recent graduates.

The three Galway artists receiving the award includes textile artist Tuam's Karena Ryan, jewellery maker Deirdre Murphy and furniture maker Gerard Boyle, a former student of St Jarlath's College in Tuam.

Future Makers is one of the largest prize-funded design and craft award programmes in Europe, with each winner receiving a mentoring package valued at €2,000 in addition to the award.

In total, the initiative offers an award fund of €25,000 and mentoring package of €52,000 in expert guidance and support to the award recipients.