Waterford’s Kite Design Studio celebrates two enterprising years!

The Kite Design Studio, a pilot project spearheaded by Waterford City Council and Waterford City Enterprise Board is, this month, celebrating two enterprising years in business in the heart of Waterford’s Viking Triangle.

Situated in a state of the art facility in Henrietta Street this unique design collective houses some of Waterford’s most talented designers and artists including glass blowers, crystal engraver, a goldsmith and several start up design enterprises.

The project initiated by Waterford City Manager, Michael Walsh and former Chief Executive of Waterford City Enterprise Board Bill Rafter, back in 2009, took almost two years to complete and was formulated to develop the Viking Triangle as a key tourism area in the city and to showcase Waterford’s long crystal making tradition.

Today the Kite Design Studio is home to a host of craft and design micro enterprises including Sean Egan Artglass.  Sean Egan, a Master Engraver with over 40 years experience, has built up a global reputation as a talented and creative craftsman, whose work has been presented to celebrities and presidents.

 In the world of show biz, Sean was commissioned to create a piece honouring the Monty Python member Graham Chapman who died in 1989.  In addition to this, one of the most renowned crystal pieces remembering those who perished on September, 11^th, 2001 was crafted by Sean and presented to then US Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney.

In 2013, Sean had the great honour of designing and crafting the stunning crystal piece, entitled the “Gathering Bowl”, which was presented to US President Barack Obama by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD following the traditional St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Sharing floor space with Sean is The Irish Handmade Glass Company, which rose from the ashes of the closure of the Waterford Crystal plant in 2009.  The founders Danny Murphy, Tony Hayes, Derek Smith and Richard Rowe established the company in order to preserve Waterford’s proud glassmaking tradition and have almost 150 years cumulative experience in glass blowing and cutting.

Producing 100% mouth blown and hand cut coloured crystal the Irish Handmade Glass Company has quickly become one of Ireland’s leading crystal manufacturers.

One of the newest tenants at the Kite Design Studio is Button and Co.  The company, established by Waterford goldsmith Elaine Sarah Comerford, creates unique and innovative jewellery collections.

No stranger to accolades, in 2009, Elaine Sarah was a contestant on RTE’s Dragons’ Den and was backed by then Dragon, Niall O’ Farrell.  She was on the judge’s panel for the Young Entrepreneur Awards in Kerry, guest speaker at Dublin’s Rotary Club as part of their International Women’s Day Celebrations and Button and Co. has won several industry awards including Best Product and Editor’s Choice at the London International Jewellery Show.

Most recently Waterford City Enterprise Board and Waterford Adult Education Centre (WAEC) launched “First Flight”, an enterprise programme which assists small craft start-ups.  First Flight is working with a group of craft and fashion design students, providing them with workspace, mentoring assistance and practical business advice. 

The three businesses currently undertaking the First Flight Programme are Andrew Phelan of Crea Jewellery Design, Lucia Domoradova of Lutsia Fashions and Lenka Jindrichova of Blossom Jewellery Design.

According to Mr. Ciaran Cullen, CEO, Waterford City Enterprise Board, the Kite Design Studio project has had two great years assisting start – up craft enterprises.  “The premise of the Kite Design Studio is simply to encourage, harness, and showcase the high calibre of creative talent in Waterford.”

“We are delighted that the businesses within the Kite Studio have flourished and as we see them more and more in an international platform it acts as a reminder of the phenomenal artistic talent in Waterford.”

“Over the last two years some of the start-ups which were housed at the Studio have moved on to bigger premises.  We are delighted to have worked from the outset with such talent on their path to success; Bonzie Crotty, a vintage inspired designer, Stradbally Jewellery, which produces quality handmade silver jewellery and fine art printer Anne McDonnell Murphy.”
 From jewellery makers to glass engravers and silversmiths to fashion designers, the Kite Design Studio is an enviable and ambitious design centre that showcases the imagination and talent that Waterford proudly possesses.

The design studio is open to the public six days a week and visitors have the unique opportunity to experience in-house designers working on their

designs in situ.

For more information about the Kite Design Studio call along to the Henrietta Street premises, call 051 858914, or check out Kite Design Studio on Facebook.

Crystal Craftsman remembers 9/11

Sean Egan, of Sean Egan Artglass, a former master engraver with almost 40 years experience created one of the most renowned crystal pieces remembering those who perished on September, 11^th, 2001.  His 9/11 Twin Towers commemorative engraved sculpture was presented to former US Ambassador to Ireland, Dan Rooney in 2011.

 

The piece, ‘Miracle on Stairwell B’ is a visual representation of one of the few ‘good news’ stories that came from the tragic events thirteen years ago this week.

9/11 has had a deep impact on Sean.  “9/11 means so much to me.  I have met a lot of people who were there that day and have listened to their stories, so sad, tragic and some like the story of Stairwell B, so miraculous.”

A group of NY Fire Department officers were some of the first respondents to the north tower, the first tower to be hit on 9/11. They were on their way up when they first heard and realised that the second tower had been hit and was collapsing. Chief Officer Jay Jonas instinctively knew that it would not be long before their tower also collapsed and made the decision to exit the tower.

On the way down Stairwell B they found a woman, Josephine Harris with a police officer. He has to decide to risk his and his men’s lives by trying to help them or to leave and save themselves. Despite Josephine’s protests they elected to carry them out but this slowed them down significantly. When they reached the fourth floor, the building began to collapse, so Jay Jonas radioed in their position. 

The rescue team, even though they knew the position of the fire officers, could not locate Stairwell B. Eventually one of the fire officers, Mickey Kross regained consciousness, looked up and saw daylight. He reached up his hand through the rubble and heard the words “We’ve found someone”.

It is this moment in time that Sean Egan recreated, where the hands of Mickey Kross and the search team member are just about to touch.

 Sean said, “My skill is to capture moments in time in glass and this is exactly what I did with the 9/11 commemorative sculpture.  I hope my piece goes some way in paying respects to those who died that day.”

“As we draw close to the anniversary each year I always think of the bravery and courage of the rescue teams, front line officers, emergency response units and the many ordinary men and women who did all they possibly could to help those in the Towers.”

Sean added, “I actually made my first 9/11 piece in 2006 for the fifth anniversary of September 11^th and then made two larger pieces which are in New York and Waterford Crystal showrooms respectively.  The “Miracle on Stairwell B” is currently housed in the US Embassy in Dublin.”

Sean’s connections with the US were further cemented this year as he had the great honour of designing and crafting the stunning piece, entitled the “Gathering Bowl”, which was presented to President Barack Obama by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD following the traditional St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Mr. Ciaran Cullen, CEO, Waterford City Enterprise Board, which supports the Kite Design Studio in the Viking Triangle, where Sean Egan Artglass is housed praised Sean’s creative flair and empathy.  “Sean is a true artist who can replicate the most significant moments that have impacted on us all.  Miracle on Stairwell B was a momentous piece as it embodied the hope and optimism that came from the rubble of the Twin Towers.”

For further information about Sean Egan Art Glass and further details about his many exciting projects visit www.seaneganartglass.com

Spraoi’s ‘String of Sound’ to surround Kite Studios

Kite Design Studios, in Henrietta Street, will certainly be busy during this year’s Waterford Spraoi weekend as the studio sponsors a new event, String of Sound, on the festival’s opening evening.

On Friday, August 2^nd, a group of selected Waterford musicians and bands will create a unique music trail in the Viking Triangle, performing a series of intimate music recitals, with evening performances at the Kite Design Studios in Henrietta Street.

With hundreds of free events peppered throughout Waterford City Spraoi has become synonymous with delighting locals and visitors alike over the August Bank Holiday weekend. 

Sean Egan, Master Engraver at Sean Egan Artglass, which is housed in the Kite Design Studios is enthusiastic about the performances.  “It’s hard not to draw parallels between Spraoi and Kite.  Spraoi has cultivated some phenomenal talent in Waterford over the last 21 years to the delight of the people of Waterford and the South East.”

“The Kite collective consists of local artists creating exciting and innovative craft pieces, from glassware to jewellery to ceramics.  Our artists have a shared vision in promoting exceptional craft, artistic talent and design in Waterford, in many respects similar to what Spraoi does.  That’s why we felt it would be a perfect fit to get involved with Spraoi this year and are happy to be associated with the ‘String of Sound’ trail”, Sean added.

T.V. Honan, Director of Spraoi, was delighted to have the support of the Kite Design Studios during the festival.  “Each year we strive to make Spraoi bigger, better, wackier, more off the wall and zanier.  Without the support of businesses like Kite we wouldn’t be in a position to do so.”

“The fact that the connections between Spraoi and Kite are so strong makes the fit even better.  In fact, we take great pride in the fact that both enterprises have, as such, been ‘forged in Waterford’.”

‘String of Sound’ will feature emerging and established Waterford bands and musicians performing an eclectic mix of music across all genres, while at the same time animating some of Waterford’s more unusual spaces.  The sessions will commence at 8pm on Friday, August 2^nd around Henrietta Street / Viking Triangle and finish as darkness descends on the city.

For further information about Waterford Spraoi pick up a brochure from any Maxol or Supermacs outlet in Waterford City or visit www.spraoi.com.  You can find Kite Design Studios on Facebook or by calling 051 858914.