Julie Spollen works in community and care settings in Offaly, Ireland. Her socially-alert practice is durational and focuses on artistic interactions working with older participants. She practices collaborative critical thinking in art and design contexts 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 equity in cultural engagements and environments. She believes that sustainable communities need opportunities for art making, social connections, inclusion & spatial identity.
Julie holds a B.Des from NCAD and an MA from Royal College of Art. 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 & private collections such as Rolls Royce. In October 2019 she exhibited Activate, which was exhibited 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, exhibited and presented in the County Council 2019. 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 film & documentary on composer Karen Power's 'Sonic Pollinators' with Quiet Music Ensemble, an environmental project commissioned by Creative Ireland Funding with its subsequent short film showcased at an international conference by the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) whose role is to advise government on economic, social and environmental policy issues. Beginning in 2006, she has successfully campaigned with the community for a purpose built community arts centre for Offaly to enable local contemporary culture and generously live together.
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 with Hammersmith and Fulham College to work with groups & individuals.
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 with Hammersmith and Fulham College to work with groups & individuals.
Awards, Commissions & Some Publications
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 Newsletters
David Boland In My Face 2015
Storyboards Anam Beo 2015
Connections 2012
Aylesford Newsprint Design Award 1999
Shiseido - February no 5841 1998
Michiko Koshina Calendars 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
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 Newsletters
David Boland In My Face 2015
Storyboards Anam Beo 2015
Connections 2012
Aylesford Newsprint Design Award 1999
Shiseido - February no 5841 1998
Michiko Koshina Calendars 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
Exhibitions and Shows
2023 Birr Open Arts Exhibition.
2022 Artwork for Creative Ireland project Susan Langstaff Mitchell Poetry Panels.
2021 'Us, Place & Connectedness' Lloyd Park, Tullamore.
2021 'Here & There' BVW Virtual Exhibition.
2020 Narrating the New Normal Birr Arts Festival Virtual Exhibition.
2019 Activate... a conscious place for living, 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 'Sonic Pollinators' short videos on Composer Karen Power
2017 SS17- Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore
2017 Arts in Health Seminar Speaker and Contributor MRHT
2017 Short Videos 'Move' Culture Night, Music & Movement - IWA Ailish Claffey Dance project.
2016 100 Years 100 Faces - Community Arts Centre, Tullamore
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
2021 'Us, Place & Connectedness' Lloyd Park, Tullamore.
2021 'Here & There' BVW Virtual Exhibition.
2020 Narrating the New Normal Birr Arts Festival Virtual Exhibition.
2019 Activate... a conscious place for living, 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 'Sonic Pollinators' short videos on Composer Karen Power
2017 SS17- Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore
2017 Arts in Health Seminar Speaker and Contributor MRHT
2017 Short Videos 'Move' Culture Night, Music & Movement - IWA Ailish Claffey Dance project.
2016 100 Years 100 Faces - Community Arts Centre, Tullamore
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
Working Experience
Anam Beo Projects Manager a Partnership with Dublin Mid Hse and Offaly County Council.
Arts in Health Liaison, Arts Facilitator and Curator.
Artists Health Coordinators Ireland - Chair of Subgroup Arts in Health Pay and Conditions
Helium Arts External Interview Panel.
Birr Arts Festival Curator.
Age and Opportunity Mentor on ACE Programme
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 - Art & 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.