Anna Smyth
Maker of Contemporary Sculptural Ceramics
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A Visual Journey...
I thrive in the creative process of making.
As a ceramicist, I use porcelain, a pure and sensitive material, to express inner responses to observations and experiences: another voice with which I speak, in a visual, three dimensional language.
The resulting pieces carry meaning, and throughout the making process I strive to demonstrate a balance of skill, attention to detail and a true passion for my craft.
Having commenced her ceramics journey in the 1990's, Anna pursued this passion, leading her to full time study, gaining a First Class Honours degree in Contemporary Applied Arts, specialising in Ceramics, at Belfast School of Art, Ulster University.
Following a residency there, she has had many exhibition opportunities including New Designers (London) and the prestigious RUA (Belfast) on several occasions.
The Arts Council of Northern Ireland have granted individual artist awards and purchased works for their public collection, and she has had work featured in various publications.
Anna's Ceramics studio is based at her home in County Down, and her bespoke work is showcased at creative outlets locally, nationally and internationally.
Curriculum Vitae
(please contact for full C.V.)
Education and Qualifications:
2017/2018 Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA)
2014/2017 B.A Hons.Contemporary Applied Art-Ceramics (First Class Honours)
2013/2014 Foundation Diploma in Art & Design - Ceramics (Distinction)
Placements, Masterclasses and Residencies:
2022 Tyrone Guthrie Centre Residential
2021 Selected for DCCI Portfolio Membership 2021/2022
2020 Selected for Craft NI Launchpad Programme
2019 Tyrone Guthrie Centre Residential
2017/2018 Artist in Residence, Ulster University (Belfast School of Art)
2016 Placement, Belleek Pottery, Fermanagh
Exhibitions:
2023 Cahir Arts Summer Exhibition, Tipperary (forthcoming)
2023 Whitehouse Gallery Summer Exhibition Kircudbright, Scotland (forthcoming)
2023 Chaiya Art Awards Gallery @ OXO, London (forthcoming)
2022 Wales Contemporary Exhibition, Waterfront Gallery Pembrokeshire and OXO London
2022 Irish Ceramic Awards Exhibition, Millcove Gallery, Kenmare
2022 Sculpture in Context 2022, National Botanical Gardens, Dublin
2022 'Creative Peninsula' Group Exhibition, Bangor and Newtownards
2021 Solo Exhibition, Ards Arts, Town Hall, Newtownards
2021 ‘Creative Peninsula’, Group Exhibition, Ards Arts, Town Hall, Newtownards
2021 RUA 140th Annual Exhibition, Ulster Museum, Belfast
2021 'Re-New' Selected Group Exhibition, Craft NI Gallery, Belfast
2021 'Launchpad' Group Exhibition, Craft NI Gallery, Belfast
2020 RUA 139th Annual Exhibition, Ulster Museum, Belfast
2020 ‘Unlocked’ Group Exhibition, CraftNI Gallery, Belfast
2019 ‘The Dinner Party’ (Solo), The Loft Gallery, Portaferry
2019 Graduates Annual Exhibition, Bevere Gallery, Worcester
2018 Ulster Uni. Group Exhibition, ‘New Designers’ London
2017 & 2018 RUA 136th & 137th Annual Exhibitions, Ulster Museum, Belfast
2017 ‘Into a Dancer’ (Solo), Ards Arts, Town Hall, Newtownards
2017 Degree Show, Ulster University, Belfast
Achievements/ Awards:
2021 'Emerging Artist' prize from 'The former Guild of Northern Ireland Designers' (The Guild)
2021 Artists Resilience funding from Arts Council of Northern Ireland
2020 Arts Council of Northern Ireland Individual Artist Award
2020 Freelands Foundation For Artists - Emergency Funding
2019 Arts Council of Northern Ireland Individual Artist Award
Commissions:
2023 Commission-Food Hero Award 2023: Ards and North Down Borough Council
2017 Commission-UU/First Trust Bank: Trophy for Distinguished Graduate Award
2017 Competitive Commission: Ulster University
Professional Activities:
Current Associate Member of the Craft Potters Association
Current Member of the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland
2021 Article in Irish Arts Review (Launchpad Craftni)
2021 Featured in article ‘Perspective’ Magazine, RSUA
2021 Featured in article in Belfast Telegraph (RUA Selected work)
2019 Cover Artist for ‘Creative Peninsula’ Advertising
2017/2018 Ceramics Tutor at South Eastern Regional College
2017 Article in Ceramics Ireland - UU Degree Show
2017 Television Interview (NVTV) during Degree Show, Belfast School of Art, UU
Collections:
2022 Northern Ireland Office, Brussells
2020 Arts Council of Northern Ireland Public Collection - Work entitled: ‘Linen Legacy’
Publications:
2021 Featured in book 'Irish Ceramics' By John Goode
Stockists:
Bevere Gallery, Worcester
CraftNI Gallery, Belfast
The Doghouse Gallery, Comber
Gallery 1608, Bushmills
Millcove Gallery, Kenmare
The Ruthin Craft Centre, Wales
SO fine Art Editions, Dublin
Cahir Arts, Tipperary
Waterfront Gallery, Wales