CV

Julie Spollen works in community and care settings in Offaly. Her socially-alert practice Is durational and focuses specifcally on artistic interactions working with older participants. She practices collaborative critical thinking in art and design contexts in order to enhance living conditions for participants and the wider community. Instigates and nurtures partnerships with an evolving collective of professionals and institutions to advocate for the role of place and placemaking in cultural engagements and environments. She believes that sustainable communities need opportunities for social connections, equity, inclusion & spatial identity.

​

BIO:

Julie Spollen holds a B.Des from NCAD and an MA from Royal College of Art. In October 2019 she exhibited 'Activate, a conscious place for living' in Áras an Chontae, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. Activate investigated place, making public space accessible and Inclusive through public seating and the voice of the community in regards to the new Arts Centre in Tullamore, which was unpacked through art workshops and Get Together sessions. She also collaborated with Rowena Keaveny in the co-authorship of A Creative Charter for older people, which was presented to the County Council. She has most recently worked on participation-focussed projects where she partnered with Offaly County Council, Dublin Mid- Leinster HSE, Anam Beo, Arts in Health Organisation, The Irish Wheelchair Association, Irish Rail, The Midland Regional Hospital, Offaly Public Participation Network, Irish Museum of Modern Arts and Age & Opportunity. In 2017, made a creative short flm & documentary on composer Karen Power's 'Sonic

Pollinators' with Quiet Music Ensemble, an environmental project commissioned by funding from Creative Ireland. This short flm was used in October 2020 at 'Just Transitions' an international conference by the The National Economic and Social Council, a state agency with a Council made up of social partners whose role is to advise government on economic, social and environmental policy issues. Just Transitions was a network event of European Sustainable Development Councils – EEAC. Julie is an advocate for arts that nourish society.

​

​

Education

1995-1997 Royal College of Art, London, MA in Applied Arts

1990-1994 National College of Art and Design, Bachelor of Design

After the Royal college of Art she trained as an art and design facilitator - Hammersmith and Fulham Community College to work with groups & individuals. She has participated in many exhibitions, publications, community art and design projects and has worked with the music and fashion industry in London with awards and commissions from major companies and private collections such as Rolls Royce.

 

Exhibitions & Shows & Collaborations

2020 Sonic Pollinators 'Just Transitions' NESC International EEAC Conference.

2020 HUGS2020 A Haiku publication; remote project - hugs & safe engagement.

2020 'Narrating the New Normal' Birr Arts Festival Virtual Exhibition.

2019 Published A Creative Charter for Older People with Artist Rowena Keaveny

2019 'Activate' a conscious place for living, artists in community & care settings, The Atrium,OCC

2019 The Get Togethers at the Charleville Centre, Tullamore.

2018 'Got it?' The Atrium, Health literacy project, regional library tour in 2019

2018 Solos - Curated Offaly Bealtaine Exhibition, The Atrium,OCC

2018 Notions - The Atrium, Offaly County Council

2017 Ailish Claffey dance collaboration video

2017 'Sonic Pollinators' short videos on Composer Karen Power

2017 SS17 - Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore

2017 Arts in Health Seminar Contributor MRHT

2017 Short Video 'Move' Culture Night

2016 100 Years 100 Faces - Community Arts Centre, Tullamore

2014 Contribution to 'Utilising the Arts to Combat Disadvantage', Houses of the Oireacthtas.

2013 Raise Exhibition - The Atrium, OCC

2012 Connections Exhibition - The Atrium, OCC

2008 My Space - The IFC - Dublin

2006 Body of Work The Naughton Gallery – Belfast

2005 Research / Design Tullamore Playground

1997 - 2001 Michiko Koshino Fashion - London and Japan

1997- 2001 The Vibeometry Collective Forecasting - London

1998 David Fielden - London and Milan

1998 Sean Magowan Debut - London

1997 RCA Degree Show and Fashion Show

1997 RCA Interim Show By Whatever Means - London

1997 Gallery Marzee - Holland

1997 New Designers - London

1996 Renaissance - London

1996 250th Exhibition NCAD - Dublin

1995 UK touring Exhibition Obverse / Reverse

1995 Orange Exhibition - London

1995 Body Bait Jewellers and Metalworkers Guild - Dublin

1994 Limerick City Art Gallery

1994 NCAD Degree and Fashion Show

​

Awards, Commissions & Some Publications

A Creative Charter for Older People with Rowena Keaveny

Body of Work

Rolls Royce Design Award -The Spirit of Ecstasy

Bord Na Gaeilge - Design Award

BMW - Design Award

Aylesford Newsprint Design Award

Fobairt Design Award

Health Matters Magazine

Midlands Arts and Culture Magazine

VAI Newsletter

David Boland In My Face 2015

Storyboards Anam Beo 2015

Connections 2012

Aylesford Newsprint Design Award 1999

Shiseido - February no 5841 1998

Michiko Koshina Calenders 1997 2000

Dazed and Confused July 1998

UK ES Magazine February 1998

Dancers, Divas and Dreams by David Dunkley 1998

Schmuck Magazine November 1995

UK Sunday Times Magazine Light Touch 1995

 

Working Experience

Anam Beo Projects Manager for Dublin Mid Hse and Offaly County Council.

Arts in Health Liaison, Arts Facilitator and Curator.

Short videos, documenter of creative sessions and arts projects.

Offaly Bealtaine Festival Co-ordinator and Curator.

Artist Facilitator - IWA Outside - Inside with IMMA and Offaly County Council.

Artist Facilitator - Age and Opportunity for Nurses and Care Staff at IMMA.

Responsible for research, development and design of Tullamore playground.

Involvement and research into the upgrade and redevelopment of Lloyd Park.

Establish Tullamore Competitive Swim Club.

Visiting Lecturer at Royal College of Art, London.

Tutor for portfolio preparation Richmond College.

Art and Design Facilitator for metalwork and applied arts at RACC.

Tutor for RACC London- Metal Fabrication and design skills.

Art Tutor for Hammersmith and Fulham Community College, London.

Creative designer and maker for Michiko Koshino - London.

Accessories Creative advisor for BT Music Videos - Flaming June.

Creative designer & trend forecasting with the Vibeometry Collective, London.

Freelance artist and designer - Private commissions.

Tutor for Darndale CC - set up metalwork and design workshops.

1992 Exhibitions Committee - Jewellers and Metalworkers Guild, Dublin.