The Wicklow Artists Salon is curated and facilitated by visual artist Joanna Kidney and writer Philip St John. 

Meeting four times annually at locations throughout the county, the salon is an opportunity for artists from all disciplines to meet, learn from each other and from our guest artists, and perhaps begin collaborations. 

Each salon focuses on a theme. Sometimes the format is a conventional interview with guests. More often it is an experimental, immersive, experiential gathering in which our guest artists gently lead attendees in the creation of an art experience. That might take the form of a dance, spontaneous interactions with jazz musicians, or collaborating with a hospitality artist in the creation of a communal meal.   

Guests have included many of Ireland’s most exciting and ground-breaking artists.

All Artists Salon events allow time for questions and opinions, along with an opportunity to mingle and chat with fellow artists.

Admission is free but booking is essential. 

The Wicklow Artists Salon is funded by Arts Council of Ireland, Wicklow County Arts Office and supported by Mermaid, Courthouse and Signal Arts Centres; Russborough, Powerscourt and Killruddery Houses, and the Bray International Jazz Festival.

The Wicklow Artist Salon is devised and managed by:

Philip St John

Philip St John’s plays include the international award winning Maxine; Temptress, the rights of which have been sold for a movie, and The Sylvia, which was the centrepiece of Dublin’s Collaborations Festival and toured Italy in translation. His short fiction has been published in New Irish Writing and journals abroad and shortlisted for major awards. He is currently writing two theatre scripts and a novel, all supported by Arts Council funding.     

Joanna Kidney

Joanna Kidney is an Irish visual artist. Her practice is concerned with the sensory, temporal, interconnected and holistic aspects of being human. Her abstract work is an enquiry of the mark and the line through drawing, painting and physical space.

She has exhibited in Solo and Group Exhibitions in Ireland, France, Germany, UK and USA. She is the recipient of a William J. Cooper Foundation Grant (USA) and Arts Council of Ireland funding. International residencies include Swarthmore College, Philadelphia; Kiðjaberg, Iceland and Brigham Young University, Utah. Her practice includes collaborations with visual artists, dance artists and artists collectives. She is a co- founding member of Outpost Studios, Co. Wicklow. Her work is held in Irish and International Public and Private Collections.

www.joannakidney.com