Sample-Studios
is an artist-led studio group based in Churchfield, Cork City that supports the professional development of contemporary arts practitioners in Cork City and beyond.
What began as a volunteer-led initiative in 2011 has grown into a professional arts organisation that manages artist studios and shared facilities in Churchfield, the city-wide TACTIC Visual Arts Programme, the Lord Mayor’s Pavilion exhibition and project space, and a successful graduate Residency Programme.
Sample-Studios is proudly supported by The Arts Council of Ireland, Cork City Council and The Community Foundation of Ireland.
Sinéad Barrett
is a Cork-based visual artist and Programme Coordinator with Sample-Studios. She divides her time between Cork and West Cork, painting from her surroundings environment. In 2014 she returned to education to study Fine Art, graduating from Crawford College of Art and Design in 2019. She was awarded the CIT Presidents Prize for outstanding studentship and she also received a Crawford College of Art and Design Graduate Residency and was awarded the Sample Studios Graduate Curatorial Residency Award 2019/2020. She is very active in her own artistic practice, having secured numerous exhibition opportunities since graduating and received an Arts Council Visual Arts Bursary in 2021. Her work is held in both public and private collections.
@sineadbarrettart
Deirdre Breen
is a multidisciplinary designer and visual artist who recently obtained her MA in Art & Process in CCAD. A graphic design graduate from Limerick School of Art & Design she spent four years in London working as a multi-disciplinary designer, returning to Ireland in 2013 and is working as a graphic designer. Her artworks comprise screenprints, textiles and site-specific mural installations and she has a strong interest in collaborative practice. Her work is an exploration of shape and form through adventures in colour, geometry, gradation and repetition. Her work has been acquired by The Office of Public Works, Ireland, the Glucksman, UCC, Cork, and a number of private collections.
@deirdrebreen
Padraic Barrett
is an Irish visual and performance artist born in Kerry and now living and working in Cork. Barrett graduated from CCAD with a BA in 2019 and an MA in Art & Process in 2021. His works is primarily responsive to the imperceptible forces of surveillance capitalism and its role in the gradual deterioration of the human condition. Working and merging with performance, film and installation he focuses on the impact of a bewildering and constantly changing political theatre. He is a member of Sample-Studios and his Recent exhibitions include Confluence, The Lavit Gallery, Cork. https://www.padraicbarrett.com
@padraicbarrettstudio
Aoife Claffey
is a visual artist, living and working in Cork City. Her work explores human sensory perception in provisional spaces and creates installations combining film, printmaking and sound. She recently qualified with an MA in Art & Process from CCAD She is a member of the Sample-Studios and Cork Printmakers. Her work is in the collection of Eli Lilly and has been featured in Bloomers Magazine #07: Emerging Female Artists. https://www.aoifeclaffeyart.com
@aofieclaffeyart
Kate McElroy
is a multidisciplinary artist currently based in Cork City. She is currently in residence in Uillinn exploring ‘The Process of Unravelling’ having recently completed her MA in Art & Process from CCAD having completed her BA and Higher Diploma in Limerick school of Art and Design. She is a member of Sample-Studios and previously was a member of A4 sounds studios. She received a travel and training award for a residence in Lasanna, Nepal in 2017 and was selected for an interactive international project ‘Building Bridges’ (2017-2019) which toured Delhi, Kolkotta and Bangalore, India and Yangnon, Myanmar. https://www.katemcelroy.com/
@kate_mcelroy_
Johnny Cash’s prison performances became legendary in musical circles as he played to some of America’s most hardened criminals at San Quentin and Folsom Prison. The Man in Black became forever linked to his infamous prison gigs, and this special Spike Island performance will recreate his prison escapades. His Folsom Prison performance resulted in a live album which became one of the defining moments in his career.
Sample-Studios
Sinéad Barrett
Padraic Barrett
Aoife Claffey 
Kate McElroy
The Annual Charity Carol Concert
The music was provided by The Courtyard Choir, their Soloists, musicians, and all conducted by Mr Ger Gunn. These groups have been providing exquisite music down through the years at our Annual Concerts, and without them, it just would not be possible to put on the show.
A very big Thank You to everyone who helped in any way to get the show on the road, the Volunteers, Staff, Guides, maintenance staff, office staff, Sponsors, and Spike Island management.
