Art on the Farm High School Program in Ireland

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.

I went and did the summer program, and honestly it is the best experience I have ever had in my life. Immediately upon getting there I felt so welcomed, and the studio was unbelievable. It only got better as I met everyone and we started drawing exercises.
Cow House was one of the first places I truly felt at home, and I really did find a family.
Its impossible to not love it, between the amazing people Like Rosie, Frank, and Caitriona, the gorgeous fields and sunsets, and the seemingly never ending forest to explore for inspiration.
I can honestly say Cow House was the best thing to happen in my life, and improved my art skills and confidence so much, and where I made some of my favourite friends.
Not to mention the day trips were a great way to see Ireland!

The summer program at Cowhouse Studios exceeded my wildest expectations. Frank, Rosie, and Mathilde were incredibly encouraging and knowledgeable, and pushed me as an artist in ways I wasn't expecting but am so grateful for. I came expecting to focus on darkroom photography, and while I did do a great deal of that I also got the chance to experiment with new media/experimental film. I walked away from the program with a solid/diverse portfolio that was instrumental in applying to college. The excursions into Dublin and the countryside were fascinating and also were really helpful creatively.

Accommodations at Cowhouse are fantastic, the bedrooms and common areas are really cozy. The food couldn't have been better, I'd come back for that alone! Lastly, I made friends here that will (hopefully) last a lifetime. I'm so thankful for the weeks I spent on the farm and hope I'll make it back there someday.

I stayed at Cow House for three weeks in 2017 and it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had! Rosie and Frank are fantastic mentors that give great advice to help improve your artwork. They are both so down to earth and easy to talk to. I learned so much about dark room photography and acquired many painting techniques that I still use today. I am now studying animation in college and Cow House has helped me get to this point by furthering my artistic skills and giving me the experience of being away from home. The facilities are amazing, the environment is beautiful, and the food is delicious! I enjoyed taking trips to the west of Ireland and Dublin. It was nice to be in an environment with other growing artists like myself; I met so many great people. I recommend Cow House Studios to anyone that wants to make art while having a fun and an educational time!