Having always had the wish to explore the creative side of her personality, Sinead Conneely of Ardmore Galleries & Art School admits she should have studied architecture instead of accountancy! In June 2006, Sinead eventually decided to turn a passion into a business, took a risk and opened the Ardmore Gallery in Ardmore. Following from this success, Sinead this past summer opened the Ardmore Art School and more recently opened her second Gallery, this time in Dungarvan!
Although Sinead’s background is in management accountancy, having worked for Microsoft, Anderson Consulting and General Motors, this was a great help to the operational side of her business, Sinead still spent months researching and compiling a listing of artists to show in addition to feeling secure there would be footfall to her Gallery, no doubt helped with the opening of a 5 Star Hotel in Ardmore. The Ardmore Gallery is well established at this stage and continues to show growth and success. With the opening of the Ardmore Gallery in Dungarvan, it is expected this will be a major mark for visual art in Dungarvan.This gallery will serve as a major cultural focus and will bring the very best of local and national art and design to the region as a whole. The gallery will further reinforce the ethos of the Ardmore Galleries & Art School - of creating greater access to the visual arts for the people of West Waterford and the region in general.
On top of the Gallery exhibitions, the Ardmore Galleries & Art School will have workshops, lectures and art classes too, and the aim is that as well as being educational and inspiring, the Ardmore Galleries and Art School will be simply a great place to visit.
Although some may worry about the performance of Art in a recession, apparently it is a time when Art flourishes, with blog titles like : How to Buy Art inRecession, it demonstrates an interest and an insider knowledge in to how to use this opportunity to your best advantage. Artist Damien Hirst says that, “As an artist, you don't stop making art because people are not buying it,as a Collector, you don't stop buying art because other people are not buying it. Now is the time to add those important key pieces to your collection...believe me”. Also Sinead Conneely’s commitment to personal service and flexible hours is sure to inspire business in addition to the main distinctive feature of Ardmore Art Galleries & Art School is that it has brought affordable art to all sectors of the community. Ardmore Galleries & Art School offer a ‘Gallery to Home Service’, where a client can choose a number of pieces which the Galleries will bring to their home for viewing before the client commits to a purchase.Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber member, Sinead Conneely of Ardmore Galleries & Art School recommends to others who are just about to start their own business, not be afraid, work hard and ask advice when required, Sinead has also learned how to do 36 hours work in 24, perhaps this is a skill for all entrepreneurs!Sinead’s vision is to grow the Ardmore Galleries and Art School and to bring art into the lives of all our community, a road on which Sinead is well on her way. If you would like to visit the Ardmore Galleries & Art School please call to; Ardmore Gallery & Art School, Ardmore Co. Waterford. Tel; 024 94863 or to the Dungarvan Studio at 4 Harbour Mill, Davitts Quay, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford or contact Sinead Conneely on or 087 855 7218
