ABOUT

William is an undisciplined artist born in France and making art with people in various contexts since 1995. He has developed, directed, and facilitated a number of arts programmes with Cork Community Art Link since 1993 including a 10-year programme in Our Lady’s psychiatric hospital Cork, and “What if”, a programme exploring participatory public art practice. He has over 30 years experience in community street performance, including parades and street theatre shows, as well as devising The Dragon of Shandon Samhain Parade back in 2006. His practice is shaped by the belief that the arts represent an infinite field of possibilities for people and cannot be reduced to academic, institutional and market driven conceptions, and that everybody has the right to create art and to engage with the making of culture and its representation on one’s own terms.

Beibhinn has  a background in fine art and drawing. Over the years, she has played a crucial part in Cork Community Art Link’s artistic programmes. She is currently Assistant Director, and the company is lucky to have such creative, talented hands as part of the core team. Beibhinn enjoys working with people in various community settings and witnessing the thrill and magic of parades. For her, Cork Community Art Link is a place for everyone to get involved – you don’t have to have a background in art or know what you want to do, it’s all about the sharing of skills.

Moray has worked on the development, production, and programming of large arts projects, venues, and events since 1993 including international music and dance exchanges, street spectacles, music, spoken word, theatre, visual art, as well as producing his own DIY festival, called the Trash Culture Revue. He is particularly interested in creating systems of collective exchange.

Anna Marie has been involved with Cork Community Art Link for the past twenty years. Having served as a Board Member for many years, she decided to join the core team at the Lido as an arts administrator in 2022. Anna Marie fundamentally believes in free access to arts for all and has an acute understanding of the value of community work.

Sam has a background in metal work, theatre, performance, and production, and has been involved with Cork Community Art Link since 2006. Over the years he has created giant floats, fabulous metal structures, as well as devised and facilitated community workshops.

Raffaele has built his experience in prop and float-making over his many years of involvement at Cork Community Artr Link. He studied Fine Art at Accademia di Brera in Milano and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Pedagogy. He worked for several years in Italy as an educator and facilitator with teenage refugees, organising cultural events and social activities that bridged cultures and established social integration using various forms of art making. Raffa believes in the power of the arts as an empowering way for creating culture and developing people’s growth.

Podge graduated from Cluin Mhuire School of Art and Design in Galway with a Degree in Fine Art and from the Huston Film College in N.U.I. Galway with a masters in production and direction. He spent 15 years producing group and solo exhibitions, plays and short films, and was head tutor of the arts society for 10 years in N.U.I. Galway. While there he ran life drawing, still life, and sculpture classes.  Podge is a contracted artist and facilitator, and co-creator of the comic book making classes at CCAL, a course which has proven to be very popular of the past couple of years.

Aaron is an aspiring freelance illustrator and designer, he’s been part of the Cork Community Art Link team since January 2023. He’s passionate about making art accessible to everyone, believing it can break down barriers and let people express themselves, regardless of their background or situation.

Ger Dunne studied Craft & Ceramics at Dun Laoghaire Art College. After a spell as a production thrower in Galway, and running her own pottery in Kildare, she came home to Cork and the County Library & Arts Service, where welcoming the public and running craft workshops were her favourite activities. She is excited to be back making things in a community focused setting.

Stephen has a Bachelor’s Degree in History and English literature, and decided to apply his vast knowledge, of both local and international histories and literature, to his favourite mode of expression, visual art. Although the newest member to the team, Stephen has quickly proved himself to be an invaluable member of the group. His passionate desire to capture the moment through artistic endeavour has already inspired ideas and plenty of fun moments in Cork Community Art Link.

Janis recently graduated from Morrison’s Island Campus, studying programming and software design. He loves anything computer related and spends most of his spare time playing games, chatting with friends, or wading into a river with a fishing rod in rural Latvia.

Charly first became involved with Cork Community Art Link in 2015. It was a transformative learning experience, shaped her path, and equipped her with valuable problem-solving skills and the ability to think big. Now, with over a decade of experience working on a wide variety of projects, she has returned to project manage some of Cork Community Art Link’s largest initiatives. Charly also runs her own floral business and draws deep inspiration from nature. In her downtime, she can be found frolicking and foraging in the wilderness, gathering inspiration and locally sourced materials for future projects.