We have a great schedule of Camp Fairs this winter in the United States, France and Spain for Art on the Farm. If you’re interested in spending three weeks in Ireland this summer making art the you’ll want to come by our booth to meet either Rosie or Frank. We can give you more details about the programme and answer any questions you might have. Happy holidays, and we look forward to seeing you there!

Greenwich High School
Greenwich, MA: Wednesday, January 26, 6 - 9 PM

Tower Hill School
Wilmington, DE: Thursday, January 29, 3:30 - 7PM

Chestnut Hill Academy
Philadelphia, PA: Saturday, January 31, 11AM - 3PM

Concord Carlisle High School
Concord, MA: Monday, February 2, 5:30 - 8:30PM

Franco American Centre
Paris, France: Saturday, February 7, 2 - 7PM

Phillips Andover Academy
Andover, MA: Sunday, February 8, 11AM - 2PM

Newton South High School
Newton Centre, MA: Monday, February 9, 5:30 - 8:30PM

Jeannine Manuel
Lille, France: Monday, February 9, 6:30 - 8:30PM

Jeannine Manuel
Paris, France: Tuesday, February 10, 5:30 - 7:30PM

Colegio San Augustin
Madrid, Spain: Thursday, February 12, 5 - 9PM

Choate Rosemary Hall
Wallingford, CT: Sunday, February 22, 11AM - 2PM

Please have a look at our new online exhibition of some of the great work that was made here during our three week summer course in June and July. There was a great evolution in the work that everyone produced, and we wanted to share the exceptional results with everyone else.

The last week of Art on the Farm saw the students working hard on their final projects. Days and nights were spent in the studio painting, printing in the darkroom and drawing sheep. Everyone still managed to have lots of fun along the way. Gaby solidified her postion as reigning cow house ping pong champion, Maddy and Flo contiued their nightly jam sessions, Sophie made sure everyone at the dinner table laughed themselves to tears, Emma and Lea consumed more sugar than anyone we have ever witnessed, Marine became best friends with our three dogs, Bobby, Maeby and Chester, Axel gave everyone a laugh with his ever expanding sheep universe, Russ scared everyone with his creepy portrait of Flo, and Will snuck off to produce some truly beautiful photographs.
During our last week we were also paid a visit by artist Jackie Sumell. We are grateful she made the time to visit and speak with everyone about her practice, and her most current project "The House That Herman Built".
The farm is very quiet now that our first class has oficcialy come to a close, but as we prepare for our next group we are certain that the memory of the past three weeks will live on. We will never forget our first group of budding young artists, and look forward to keeping in touch. Take a look at some of our photos from the final week of "Art on the Farm."

Last wednesday, we went on a trip to Galway, a city in West Ireland. We drove for about four hours, making tons of senic stops, (one of which included the Cliffs of Moher) and finally arrived and checked into our hostle. We got settled and went to have dinner at local resturant where some us enjoyed the local specialty of fish and chips. Galway proved to be an interesting city with tons of street acts and fun things do at night. The next day we woke up and had some free time to walk around and further explore Galway. We got right back in the car and drove on over to the ferry that would take us to the Aran Islands. With some spectacular luck we got the best weather yet! The Aran islands were as beautiful as they were fascinating. We checked into another hostle, then rented bikes for the day. Some of us rode over to the historic site of Dun Aengus and enjoyed a great view, while others relaxed and enjoyed the beautiful weather. The islands were a great place to sketch and to take photos. Some lucky members of the group got to go out late and learn how to do night photography with Frank (the fatigue the next day was entirely worth it.). In the morning we packed up, then went out to explore the rest of the island. We took the 12 O'clock ferry back to the mainland and enjoyed another meal in Galway. We arrived back at the farm tired but happy late that night and all hit the hay pretty hard. Check out our updated photos page.

Thursday morning, we got up early and headed up to Dublin. The trip took about two hours, with a rainy stop at the Glendalough Monastic settlement. The ruins were beautiful, even in the rain. Our first stop in the city was at the Douglas Hyde Gallery on O'Connell Street, where among many other great works we saw the displaced studio of Francis Bacon. After that, we made a stop at our hostel, Avalon House on George's Street. That afternoon/evening we had some time to explore the city, take photographs, sketch and shop. The next morning, we ate breakfast at the hostel and headed for Newgrange, a 5000 year-old enclosed tomb. Later in the afternoon, we went to the Irish Museum of Modern Art, where we had a guided tour of Janaina Tschape's latest works, and hung out in the Formal Garden nearby.
Exhausted from the trip, we slept until noon on Sunday, and woke up to a delicious pancake breakfast! The next few days were spent learning to process our own photographs in the darkroom, and receiving an introduction to oil paints. Our nights have been spent watching classics such as "The Breakfast Club" (twice!), and runner ups..."Fight Club", and "Lost Boys", and presentations of both Rosie and Frank's artwork. Tomorrow its off to the west where we will spend a night in Galway and another on the Aran Islands. Please have a look at our updated photos page, and check back soon for more updates.

The third day on the farm begins as the sleepy, yet eager, students wake up to the smell of fresh coffee and toast. Mary's fresh baked banana bread is a hit when paired with sweet fresh strawberries and a warm cup of tea. The Nutella can't be passed down the long wood table fast enough as conversation buzzes about the art books that Frank and Rosie put on the tables. The leisurely breakfast turns into a scurry for the studios to begin the days activities. Each day brings new opportunities, new experiences, new challenges and new accomplishments. Yesterday, the students worked with Rosie on charcoal pieces that tested their ability to interpret tone, negative space and composition. Frank introduced the students to the dark room and the basics of manipulating a 35mm camera. The more experienced photographer was challenged and thrilled to try a medium format camera. The afternoon adventure had Cow House students galavanting in the town of Wexford with cameras and sketch journals in hand. The students meandered around the Wexford Art Center and examined several pieces on display. The students enjoyed some free time in town to take pictures, sketch or shop for Wellies. Later that evening, Carla Sanchez, the chair of the Board of Directors of the Wexford Art Center, joined us for dinner and shared a behind the scenes look at creating the gallery space. The students were given a unique opportunity to become constructive critiques of the Center. Carla was both appreciative and impressed by the pensive and well articulated comments that the young Cow House students had to share. The day comes to an end and students scatter to work on personal projects, play a spirited game of Jenga or to steal a teacake from the pantry. Please enjoy some of the photos that speak for themselves.

Jenga Gatmaitan, originally from the Philadelphia area, graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Education from McGill University, Montreal Canada. Jenga taught in an elementary school for two few years before returning to school to gain a Master's Degree in Special Education from Vanderbilt University, Nashville Tennessee. Currently, she is residing in Wallingford PA and teaching children with Autism for the Elwyn organization in Philadelphia. Jenga has been fortunate to both travel and live abroad. Her adventures have taken her to Ireland, France, Finland, Philippines, Korea, Japan, Mexico, Canada and all over the United States. Jenga enjoys cooking, hiking, traveling and a good cup of tea.

Jonathan Shearburn grew up in the Philadelphia area. He attained a Bachelor's Degree in Film from Fordham University, New York, NY. Jon moved back to the Philadelphia area and began working on various independent film projects, and is currently the editor for Coyopa Productions. Jon spent several weeks in Ireland helping Frank and Rosie with the initial construction of the Cow House Studios. A dedicated friend, he has made over 5 trips to Ireland in the past 3 years and is very familiar with Dublin and the surrounding areas. Jon's travels include Ireland, Germany, Italy, Canada and all over the United States. Jon enjoys pizza, independent films and an occasional pint of Guiness.

Cow House Studios will attend the following camp fairs this winter. This will be a great opportunity for those of you interested in our programme to meet Rosie or Frank and ask them any questions you might have about Art on the Farm. We look forward to seeing you there.



Summer Fare '08 at Greenwich High School, Greenwich CT
Wednesday, January 23 : 6PM - 9 PM

Summer Opportunities Fair, Phillips Academy, Andover MA
Sunday, January 27 : 11AM - 2PM

Summer Opportunities Fair, Concord Carlisle High School, Concord MA
Monday, January 28 : 5:30PM - 8:30PM

17th Annual Camp Fair, Chestnut Hill Academy, Chestnut Hill PA
Saturday, February 2 : 11AM - 3PM

Overnight Camp Fair, Princeton Day School, Princeton NJ
Sunday, February 3 : 11AM - 3PM

Teen Sumer Program Expo 2008, Newton South High School, Newton Centre, MA
Monday, February 4 : 5:30PM - 8PM

Summer Camp & Teen Program Expo, International School, Paris
Wednesday, February 6 : 5:30PM – 8:30PM

Summer Camp & Teen Program Expo, Bilingual School Jeannine Manuel, Paris
Thursday, February 7 : 5:30PM - 7:30PM

Explore! '08, Choate Rosemary Hall, Wallingford CT*
Sunday, February 17 : 11AM - 1PM

*Cow House Studios representative in attendance only

Hook Lighthouse is one of the local sites we will be visiting this summer. Thought to be one of the oldest operational lighthouses in the world, it is a unique example of an almost intact medieval lighthouse. Dating from the early 13th century it was a major feat at the time of its construction. Purpose built as a lighthouse, it has served sailors and shipping for 800 years, apart from a short closure during the 17th century.