28 Apr 2024 Open 10:00 – 17:30

Spend a day painting in the historic walled garden and surroundings of Brook Hall Estate & Gardens on the periphery of the City of Derry in the company of other artists.

Your tutor for the day will be artist Sinéad Smyth, who has decades of experience in facilitating and teaching en plein air painting in both oils and acrylics.

Participants are to bring their own materials and easels. A suggested materials list will be available after booking.

This event is only available for 10 artists and is suitable for beginners to advanced. Participants will receive high quality group-based and one-to-one tuition during the day, developing a better understanding of their chosen media and the technical aspects of creating an en plein air painting.

Tuition focus will be on identifying individual styles and developing individual work, which connects the artist to this exquisite landscape, along the banks of the Foyle River.

A pop-up exhibition of works in the greenhouse at the end of the day will give participating artists the option to experience a critique of their work.

The day includes a private tour of the arboretum and ever-changing, colourful gardens by David Gilliland, the 6th generation of this private family home, followed by locally baked scones with teas and coffee and lunch served in a unique banqueting experience.

Brook Hall Estate & Gardens lies on the banks of the River Foyle little more than two miles from the City of Derry. This 18th Century demesne is home to one of the oldest and largest walled gardens in Ireland, built in the early 17th Century in connection with the Walled City of Derry, the garden is one of the oldest landmarks on the river. The house and gardens are surrounded by the first sustainable energy willow farm in Ireland.

Sinéad Smyth is a Donegal based visual artist with 28 years’ experience in creative facilitation and teaching, including the Turner Prize, Thames Festival London, The Arts Council NI, The British Council, City of Culture, Belfast City Council and many other projects in Donegal and Northern Ireland. Her own paintings form part of several private and public collections. Sinéad is a professional member of Visual Artists Ireland, The Drawing Box International and Associate Artist with Echo Echo Dance Theatre in Derry.

An Itinerary for the day’s activities, materials list and dietary requirements will be shared after booking.