Program Reviews

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!

My daughter who is 15 spent 3 weeks at Cow House this past summer (2018). A somewhat shy kid who hadn't previously been away from home longer than a week, she absolutely loved Cow House. From the development of her art, to the friends she made, to the growth in her artistic and social confidence, the experience was a formative one for her. Frank and Rosie are warm and inspiring teacher/mentors and I'm so glad my daughter had a chance to work with them. She worked hard on her portfolio and gained skills and insight into her own art-making process. She also made fast friends who she has remained in touch with.

The trips to the Aran Islands, to Galway and to Kilkenny city were also highlights.
She still talks about Cow House frequently and hopes to return in the near future.

The month I spent at Cowhouse in the summer art program: Art on the Farm was undoubtedly the highlight of my 2018.
Everything about the beautiful environment, from the mystical forest, to the stone studio space, to the alpaca and goose field, felt incredibly welcoming and safe.
Frank, Rosie, and the guest teachers were incredibly encouraging, inspiring, and always excited to help us make the projects of our dreams a reality. They truly made it feel like anything was possible, no matter how bizarre your project was, or uncommon the needed materials were. Not only was I able to refine the skills I already had, but I also got to learn about, and work with, artforms I had never considered before. Getting to work in a space surrounded by creativity really kindles unique work, and the things that come out of the collaboration and consultation that takes place there are wonderful to witness. Books, hanging tents, intricately painted cakes, plaster hand molds, portraits in the pond, instructional Zumba videos, and mockumentaries were just a few of such awe-inspiring creations.
There is so much kindness in everyone there; the community there truly is very special, and the students quickly became a family. I cannot stress the value and strength of such connections enough, lifelong friendships form at Cowhouse, and they inspire remarkable artwork as well!
The food is out of this world! Not only is it delicious and nourishing, but they are very accommodating of dietary restrictions/preferences. They made sure there was always plenty of tasty options for my vegan and gluten-free self, and even kept the cabinets stocked with special cookies. We got to have an exciting cooking competition, where students designed menu plans and Frank made sure we had everything we needed (and they still made sure there were vegan and GF options-Brilliant!). Needless to say, there is amazing food there for everyone!
The excursions were stellar as well. We got to visit art museums in enchanting cities, wander through quaint towns and talk with local artists, hike to a waterfall, and visit a fairytale island complete with a blind goat shepherd. Swimming in the ocean, exploring castle ruins in a cow pasture, kayaking on the pond, and playing hide and go seek in the forest were notable highlights. The adventures that abound at Cowhouse definitely make this magical place unique.

Let me start this by saying that I had an absolutely lovely time at Cowhouse. As an artist (eh, sounding pretentious), or as someone who makes art (better) , getting to spend three months making work in a beautiful environment without any of the stress of normal is something close to heaven.
I think what makes Cowhouse so special is this stripping effect that happens there; in high school, I struggled to make art because I had so much pulling me away; tests, homework, the college process, maintaining a perhaps mediocre at best social status, family, etc. The list of things that get in the way or distract in normal life are endless, but at Cowhouse, there's almost nothing. Cowhouse gives its students this precious gift of time, space, materials, and opportunity, and so the creative impulse naturally expands and blossoms simply because there's nothing to keep it from doing so. Each person in my group grew tremendously as artists overt this experience, and I will be forever grateful to Rosie and Frank, as well as everyone else who helped make that possible.
On some more mundane notes:
Facilities/ bedrooms and stuff: The studio is in a converted farm and is beautiful and spacious. Ideal for making art. Bedrooms are in quaint and comfortable, but if you are a light sleeper be sure to bring headphones or earplugs or something as the walls are very thin. The farm itself is beautiful and fun to explore. There are also lots of animals running around which is nice, except George, the peacock. I wasn't a fan of him.
Food: I could go on about the food there forever. It's incredible, and I miss it so much. Cooked daily by Cowhouse's master chef Caiitrioneiereer (pronounced Katrina) Folly, and sometimes Frank (whose frittatas are, well, fine), Cowhouse cuisine centers on fresh ingredients and includes meals from around the world. I'm talking sushi, I'm talking dumplings, I'm talking burritos, and alu ghobi and lamb vindaloo, and burgers, oh dear god, the burgers, and more traditional Irish food as well like delicious breads and soups, and the occasional bangers and mash. They are very very accommodating of all dietary restrictions, even pho-gluten-free-folk and vegetarians who eat fried chicken will find acceptance there.
The trips are a fun break from work and the farm, and it is nice to get around and see some of Ireland's nicest spots. I strongly recommend spending several afternoons in the pubs and tossing back a couple brews. I sure did.
Spending three months in close quarters with 7 other people can be difficult. Inevitably there will be arguments and feathers will be ruffled, but this area is probably one of the best spots for personal growth as you will be forced to manage personal relationships and keep everyone happy. This was also one of the most rewarding aspects of this program as well as I made some life long friends during my time there.
Anyway, I can't recommend Cowhouse enough; go there if you get the chance.

The three months I spent on this wonderful farm where absolutely magical. For me it was the perfect balance between productivity and play. The teachers where absolutely spectacular and I feel so lucky to have met them. Going in I didn’t really know what to expect; a little farm in someplace called Wexford where people make art? However I’m so glad I made the decision to go on this adventure. Cowhouse is a very well equipped studio with amazing housing and a forest! I spent my days making artwork, walking through streams and playing with dogs/cats/peacocks/llamas/ducks etc. At first I was scared of living with only 7 other kids but honestly it’s not that big of a deal. I made some life long friends and art work that I am deeply proud of (I’m already excited to go back !!). I highly recommend this program and promise you will make some cherished memories.