Limited Edition ‘Little Book of Brigid’ Launched

Blueway Art Studio is thrilled to announce the successful launch of “A Little Book of Brigid,” a distinctive celebration of women’s strength and creativity. The launch event, held on April 13th, 2024, in Narraghmore, Ireland, was a vibrant gathering where 10 inspiring women were gifted books in recognition of their work for women in their communities in Ireland.

Blueway Art Studio were honoured with Ms. Sabina Higgins’ attendance, who charmed and delighted the entire gathering and received the very first edition of this limited-edition Artist Book. These books are being gifted to inspirational women or institutions that campaign for women’s rights or support women in their communities and were nominated by their communities.

“A Little Book of Brigid” represents the culmination of six months of dedicated craftsmanship by Angelina Foster and Emily Rainsford of Blueway Art Studio, funded by Kildare County Council’s Brigid 1500 programme and Blueway Art Studio. The Brigid1500 programme  celebrates and commemorates St. Brigid, “a woman, a life, a legacy” in a broad and rich way.

Through traditional printmaking techniques, Foster and Rainsford have curated a collection of 28 illustrated poems dedicated to all the women forgotten in history and every young girl who dreams of greatness. The launch event provided an opportunity to showcase the intricate processes used to create the book, through traditional techniques of letterpress, screen printing and coptic stitch book binding. Attendees enjoyed poetry readings by some of the writers, while presentations of the books to select recipients highlighted the project’s commitment to honouring the extraordinary women who have made a difference in their communities.

Blueway Art Studio is now accepting nominations for the recipients of remaining copies of “A Little Book of Brigid”. This initiative aims to celebrate women throughout 2024, whilst commemorating 1500 years since the death of St Brigid of Kildare.

Angelina Foster from Blueway Art Studio commented: “We are overwhelmed by the positive response to ‘A Little Book of Brigid’ and deeply grateful for the opportunity to share this unique project with the world. We are aware that 100 books are nowhere near enough to thank women in communities throughout Ireland and abroad. However, we hope this initiative makes people think of the good deeds carried out quietly in the background in many communities throughout Ireland and abroad.”

Emily Rainsford added: “Celebrating women’s resilience and creativity is at the heart of ‘A Little Book of Brigid.’ The launch event was not only a celebration of the book itself but also a testament to the collective talent and dedication of all involved. We invite everyone to join us in recognizing and honouring inspiring women who have left a lasting impact in their communities. Your nominations will help us continue this important mission of appreciation and recognition.”

When nominating, please consider individuals or institutions who appreciate the arts and actively support women in your community. Highlight their specific contributions and why they inspire those around them. Recipients will be living women making a difference in their communities or fields.

While nominations don’t guarantee a book, each will be reviewed by Blueway Art Studio and advisors. Books will be released in batches throughout 2024, ensuring each recipient’s story is honoured.

For further information on the nomination process, please visit: https://forms.gle/DuSzHMLY1GdbXjkY8 or  https://bluewayartstudio.ie/brigids-book/

And for more information on the book’s production please see @BluewayArtStudio on Instagram or email projects@bluewayartstudio.ie.

For further information on the Brigid 1500 programme  see www.brigid1500.ie email brigid1500@kildarecoco.ie or call 045 980653.

About Blueway Art Studio: Blueway Art Studio is dedicated to promoting creativity and artistry through traditional printmaking techniques. Founded by Angelina Foster and Emily Rainsford, the studio aims to celebrate the richness of Irish culture and heritage through its artistic endeavors.

About a Little Book of Brigid: Each letter is composed upside down and backwards and set by hand using 14 pt Caslon metal type. Each poem or verse is accompanied by hand-drawn illustrations which have been made into silk screens and then printed individually on Madrid Litho paper with Lascaux Gouache, the book also includes a number of fold out pages to suggest revealing women’s stories.

To connect with Brigid’s era and include further elements of weave, the bindings were done with Coptic stitch using French linen thread. St Brigid’s ancestral lands were acknowledged by using foraged heather from peatlands in Co. Kildare, to naturally dye Ulster linen to include as a Brat Bhride in each book.

160 entries were received from all over the world with 24 English language and 4 Irish language selected for the final edit.

The selected writers included:  Ailish de Búrca, Autumn Newman, Liam Regan, Anne Casey, Michael Farrell, Patrick O’Sullivan, Chris Jones, Lisa Gannon, Lauren Lawler, Dee McKiernan, Caroline Bracken, Dylan Brennan, J.D.Luttrell, Bernadette Gallagher, Siobhán Mac Mahon, Mary Burke, Séighin Ó Ceallaigh, Martina Kearney, M.A. Waskow, Neville Sexton, Aisling Ní Choibheanaigh Nic Eoin, Erin Darcy, Lara Coady, Mary Mc Carthy, Máire Sinclair, Mae Leonard, Dolores Martin, Éire Ní Fhaoláin

The majority of the illustrations were created by Angelina Foster and Emily Rainsford with seven invited artists adding diverse artistic interpretations. The seven invited artists are Clare Hartigan, Lucina Russell, Claire Murphy, Rachel Fountain, Pamela de Brí, Ciara O’Keeffe and Ann McKenna.