Art on the Farm High School Program in Ireland

As a parent of a participant in this program, I highly recommend Art on The Farm. Rosie and Frank and all of the teachers/artists foster a community where the students are able to learn from highly skilled artists, create a portfolio and explore different mediums while living in a warm and supportive community. The beautiful setting, the family style dinners, the freedom to explore the area and create friendships is a gift. Rosie and Frank have created an oasis for young artists to learn, grow and experience a truly immersive artistic experience.

I can honestly say that my time at Cowhouse gave me one of the most fulfilling and exciting summers of my life! Rosie, Frank, Caitriona, the visiting artists, and interns were some of the loveliest and most beautiful people I’ve ever met. It may be cliché to say, but I don’t think I would be the same person I am today without this experience. I grew in my artistic ability and as a person - I learned to better appreciate the world around me and everything in it. I can’t wait to come back for a visit the next time I’m in Ireland. Thank you so much for everything Rosie and Frank!

My 17-year-old daughter spent the summer of 2022 at Art on The Farm at Cowhouse Studies. Over the years both of my daughters have done various summer programs but this one will stand out as one of the most unique and fulfilling experiences for my younger daughter. Rosie and Frank were some of the most welcoming, encouraging, and helpful mentors. My daughter completed an extensive amount of work and also explored a number of different mediums. The atmosphere was lively but relaxed and the setting was inspiring. She felt that her artistic abilities really improved and the program helped her decide to pursue art as part of her future studies. Along with the art program, the food was terrific and the excursions to Wexford, Dublin, Hook Peninsula, etc. gave students time to explore and learn about art and Ireland outside of the farm. My daughter made friends with like-minded students that she is still in close contact with today. Overall, this was an unforgettable experience.

Our 17 year daughter had a wonderful experience this past summer at Cowhouse Studios, Art on the Farm. After 2 years of pandemic lockdowns and isolation, the program was just what she needed. Rosie, Frank and the staff were outstanding. They challenge the kids artistically through an "art school" like format. The studios and the campus are beautiful and our in the country. They managed and negotiated some pandemic issues very well. Overall our daughter grew as an artist and as person in a supportive, progressive environment. We couldn't ask for much more.

This summer I had the opportunity to attend Cow House Studios’ Art on the Farm program. This was my first time attending a long summer program and being away from home for so long. The change in scenery was inspiring and I had the chance to work on ideas for projects that I never had the chance to get to. The opportunity to create art in Ireland and connect with my ethnic background was extremely enlightening. I was able to begin communicating ideas through my work and crank out some portfolio pieces using different mediums as well. I was in a smaller group of about 12 students. We had delicious meals every day and traveled to different parts of the country for a few days. After a while, I began to feel at home. I met many amazing people and made many great memories!

I spent 3 wks the summer of 2018 at Cow House Studios in Ireland. I did not know anyone else attending but I love art and my art teacher recommended Cow House Studios. I was a little nervous when I arrived but my experience at Cow House was magical. First of all, I was challenged to take my art up a notch by doing art mediums I had not done before, learn from great mentors, and hear others critique my work. It was the first time I looked at art from a serious yet fun and trusting point of view. The other kids were amazing and I've made friends I still keep in touch with. The farm and Ireland are beautiful, Rosie & Frank were excellent and the food and staff made you feel like part of the family. I give it the highest recommendation.

I came into contact with Cow House through some of the teachers at my school. I was constantly searching for summer experiences that would enrich my life as well as prevent me from feeling stagnant. Fast forward to when I actually stepped down in Ireland (my first time to Europe), a feeling of warmness washed over me and I became even more excited. I immediately fell in love with Ireland as soon as I got off the plane. Ireland is such a great place to visit. In regards to the actual program, I met life-long friends and explored a new country while also creating art for my portfolio. Even though I had just met these people, they quickly became some of the closest friends I have ever had. If you're on a farm in the middle of southern Ireland for an extended period of time, you'll become extremely close to everyone. Cow House not only pushed me to try new things and grow as a person but the staff there were committed to helping me with everything I asked them for help with. I created some of the best art I have ever created because of their expertise and abilities. Cow House is definitely an experience I recommend to everyone who is interested in art.

From the moment I left my mom at the airport at home, I knew I would be in for something very different than what I had ever experienced before. When I applied around March, I applied with no prior real art classes or experience; everything I had ever created was done from my own desire to create. When I arrived at the Dublin airport, it didn’t take me long to realize everyone else around me had a similar experience and the same attitude towards creativity. No matter where we came from (Serbia, Spain, all over the US, and the UK), we all wanted to improve our creative thinking and tweak our skills. Rosie and Frank provided us with this opportunity. Alongside three residential artists, friends of the O’Gormans, the twelve of us learned more than we anticipated. Everyday, we sat around the studio and learned more and more about each other through what we put on paper or canvas. To this day, I am still very close with the friends I made at Cowhouse, and am looking forward to seeing them again this winter and the following summer. I couldn’t imagine a better way to spend my summer than in a country I love with those who are just as enthusiastic for what I do, as I am.