About Me
Tom is a professional artist with over 30 years experience, in that time he has developed a substantial catalogue of work in Ireland and abroad.
Working within community contexts has profoundly influenced his core principals as an artist – namely that his work is authentic, celebratory and respectful of citizen participation.
Tom’s work has allowed him to learn from the communities he has engaged with, which is continually enriching his practice. For years Tom has been exploring the capacity of translucent materials & illuminated forms as accessible materials to engage with communities to explore existential themes such as built heritage, citizenship, bereavement and memory.
CV
Tom Meskell
Community-Engaged Artist
www.tommeskell.com
[email protected]
Education
- 2003–2004 – Diploma in Community Development, NUI Galway
- 1995–1998 – B.A. (Hons) in Fine and Applied Arts – Sculpture, University of Ulster, Belfast
- 1988 – Certificate, Grennan Mill Craft School
Artist Residencies
- 2025 – Centre Culturel Irlandais, Paris (Jan–Feb)
- 2025 – Tyrone Guthrie Centre (Mayo Co. Co. Bursary Award – Spring)
- 2022 – Lights in the Darkness, Philadelphia – One-month residency and public installation
- 2018 – Lake Constance Whit Sun Festival, Germany
- 2017–2018 – St. Fionnán’s Community Nursing Unit, Achill Island
- 2017 & 2016 – Heart Beet, Vermont – Conference artist-in-residence
- 2016 – Ballinamore Men's Shed, Artist in the Community Scheme
- 2010 – Corrigeenroe National School, Roscommon Co. Council
- 2008 – Leitrim County Council
- 2005 & 2004 – Offaly County Council
- 2001–2002 – Studio-based Residency, Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo
- 2000 – Rauma Artists’ Exchange, Finland (3-month residency)
- 2000 – Glen Centre, Manorhamilton – Day Care Centre Residency
- 1999 – Glen Centre, Manorhamilton – Better to Light a Candle Installation
- 1999 – Virginia House, Tallaght
- 1998 – G.R.A.C.E. Vermont – Community Arts Residency
- 1998 & 1996 – Ballyconnell Sculpture Trail – Artist and Project Director
Solo Exhibitions
- 2025 – Basking, Roscommon Arts Centre
- 2015 – Puc Fada, Turlough House
- 2014 & 2013 – On the Hop, Ballina Arts Centre
- 2007 – Refocus, Museum of Country Life, Turlough House
- 2006 – Refocus, Roscommon Arts Centre
- 2002 – Personal Mythologies, Tallaght Community Arts Centre
- 2000 – My House My World, Rauma, Finland
- 1995 – Works on Slate, Festival Gallery, Letterkenny
Group Exhibitions
- 2019–2021 – An Criú, Inis Oírr (Macnas-affiliated artists)
- 2017 – An Criú, Charlestown Arts Centre
- 2015 – Engage Group Show, Longford
- 2014 – The Hermit Collective, Charlestown, Boyle, Manorhamilton
- 2009 – Mayo Artists, Linenhall, Castlebar & Leitrim Sculpture Centre Christmas Show
- 2004–2005 – Food for Thought and Mayo Artists, Linenhall, Castlebar
- 1999 – Brittany Arts Exchange, Sculpture Society Winners
- 1996–1998 – Looking for Space, multiple venues (Belfast, Donegal), and Contradicting Elements, Belfast
Installations (Selected)
- 2025 – Silva Lumina, Centre Culturel Irlandais, Paris
- 2024 – Silva Lumina, Glow Wild Wakehurst / Botanic Gardens Dublin / Longford Lights Festival (First Fortnight)
- 2023 – Dream Garden, Jackie Clarke Gardens, Ballina
- 2023 – Resonance, Irish Hospice Foundation Community Lantern Project
- 2021–2022 – Light Brigade (Longford) and Gathering in Cavan – Faoin Spéir projects
- 2020–2021 – Silent Answers, Covid Response – Filmed for Kíla, Whelan’s, & Westival
- 2012–2019 – Well Festival (multiple works), Dingle Deer, Light Catchers, Dream Garden
- 2001–2009 – Various site-specific environmental and community installations across Ireland
- 1992–1998 – Early works in Belfast, Dublin, and Donegal
Parades, Street Theatre & Events
- 2023 – Artistic Director, Longford Lights Festival
- 2021–2023 – Macnas Education Programme; Curracha Inis Oírr – Production Manager/Designer
- 2014–2018 – Macnas Parade Team – Maker and Street Puppet Specialist
- 2000–2009 – Design, Direction & Puppet Making for parades and street events incl. Samhain, Eigse, TCAC, Kilkenny Arts, and others
Awards & Nominations
Nominations:
- 2024 – Business to Arts Award (First Fortnight)
- 2024 – Mayo Person of the Year (Arts Section)
- 2023 – Business to Arts Award (Longford Lights)
- 2024 – Culture Ireland Creative Communities Award
- 2024 – Mayo County Council Tyrone Guthrie Bursary
- 2023 – Mayo County Council Arts Bursary
- 2023 – Arts Council Bursary Award
- 2022 – Arts Council Project Award
- 2020 – Arts Council COVID Response Award
- 2019 – Arts Council Travel Award
- 2018 – Arts Council Travel Award
- 2017 – Arts Council Travel Award