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TUCKED away in a sunlit studio in Pembroke, artist Bev Carberry has created her own little imaginative haven.
It is here that she has designed a diverse range of works from stained glass windows for the newly renovated Askea Church to sports trophies, bronze castings, wooden pieces, abstract paintings and ceramic creations.
If her interests dont already span wide she has now branched out into working with glass, trapping colour, fusing it and changing shapes.
Surrounded by her works of art, her studio is a place of colour and light. Two electric kilns are ready and waiting, along with slab rollers and moulds all only too eager to turn out the next piece. It is clear this is a person who has managed to mix work and love.
Originally from Canada, Bev arrived in Carlow and set up home in Pembroke more than 20 years ago with her husband of over 40 years. She has since developed herself into one of the countys leading artists and has been commissioned to create a diverse range of works. Recently she designed new stained glass windows for Askea Church and the pieces are currently under construction.
Asked if shes excited to have work adorn a Church for many years after shes gone, Bev only smiles and replies like a true professional 'As long as it turns out well.
She has designed trophies for the Eire Óg sports awards along with the winning pieces for the Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, County Council Awards and much more.
'I never run out of ideas, I always have things on the back burner, she said.
Each work of art starts the same way for Bev, from numerous drawings that mould and change with each pencil stroke. Her workshop seemed to develop the same way with additions bit by bit and is now often a nice surprise for people who drop by.
'It is quite hidden, she says.
'It is so bright and quiet in here that it is a nice treat for people.
In the early days she began establishing herself as an artist in Carlow through her painting classes for children and adults. It wasnt long before she had to give up her teaching to focus more on her own work.
'I was just too busy, she explains.
'I was working until midnight or one oclock and at night I couldnt sleep because I was so wired up.
She is involved in so many different parts of the artistic community in the town that she finds it difficult to keep track. Her latest endeavour is the Wind exhibition (Wales Ireland Network of Craft Design) which will run for a month in the Carlow museum space (above the tourist office) from April 7. A selected network of artists have been chosen by organisers to exhibit their work in association with Carlow Leader Rural Development Company.
Bev will display a series of glass designs which have been inspired by elements of the Carlow landscape. Drawing from both man-made and natural contours of the surface and sub-surface of the landscape, she has produced unique triptychs and larger framed art glass designs using various glass and metal media. They include representations of archaeological and geological components of the landscape such as dolmens, standing stones, ring forts and bedrock.
Faced with bad arthritis a few years ago, she was forced from standing hours on end at her workshop counter and decided not to take a break but try something new.
'Ah you always have to keep the brain ticking over, she laughed.
Bev developed an interest in theatre studies in Carlow and is now in her third year at the college. She enjoys learning about all aspects of drama and performance including set design, research, acting, directing and costumes.
She has also developed an interest in introducing silver to her ceramic works and already has plans to try and branch off in to creating pieces completely of silver.
'It is always interesting to learn new things, she said.
'The theatre interest keeps advancing. Ive also written a couple of plays.
Like herself, when it comes to her work, it can be only described as a 'once-off.
'Thats my interest, she added. 'I couldnt see myself doing anything else. I like the variety very much.
The exhibition, 'Elements of the Carlow Landscape, will feature a high standard of works from artists from Carlow, Kilkenny, Wicklow and further afield. For further information about the exhibition visit http://www.cheng-casting.com
