Threads of Place - Life Drawing Workshop with Rob Quinn

Facilitated by Rob Quinn, this workshop invites participants to explore drawing the clothed figure through characters inspired by the Great Siege of Athlone. Amateur actors from Athlone Little Theatre will be modelling in replica 17th-century costumes from Athlone Castle’s collection. The workshop will be preceded by a short talk by local historian Harman Murtagh, offering insight into the military uniforms and social life of the period, providing a rich contextual backdrop for participants’ work.

Threads of Place is a community-focused visual arts project developed in collaboration with Luan Gallery, Athlone Castle, and Abbey Road Artists’ Studios, located in the former workhouse building. The project brings together contemporary visual arts practice and Athlone’s rich cultural and social heritage through active community participation, creating meaningful connections between place, history, and creative expression.

The programme consists of a series of interconnected drawing-based activities across multiple sites. Planned outputs include participatory workshops, customised exhibition tours and public events.

This project will culminate in a public group exhibition of artworks created during the programme, hosted in the upstairs Community Space at Abbey Road Artists’ Studios and Luan Gallery Boardwalk Gallery.

This project is supported by Westmeath Arts Office and Creative Ireland 2026 Community Grant.