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A free, hands-on drawing masterclass for teens that begins with a guided tour at Luan Gallery and moves to Abbey Road Artist Studios for an ink, charcoal, and pastel workshop led by Rob Quinn. Small group, materials included—booking essential.
A free, hands-on drawing masterclass for teens that begins with a guided tour at Luan Gallery and moves to Abbey Road Artist Studios for an ink, charcoal, and pastel workshop led by Rob Quinn. Small group, materials included—booking essential.
Book with Athlone Castle Visitor Centre
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Operated by Athlone Castle Visitor Centre · Athlone, County Westmeath
At the heart of Athlone, County Westmeath, a two-part young artists’ workshop invites teens to reimagine mark-making and materiality. The Workshop: Drawing Masterclass with Rob Quinn pairs a guided tour at Luan Gallery with a hands-on session at Abbey Road Artist Studios, offering a compact 2.5‑hour creative itinerary suited to ages 13–17.
The experience begins inside Luan Gallery, a contemporary exhibition space where students move through current displays designed to foreground drawing as a live practice. Rob Quinn’s workshop frames the tour as a prompt: young people examine line, gesture, and composition in exhibited works before translating ideas into ink, charcoal, and pastel. The change of venue—walking from the gallery to Abbey Road studios—shifts the mood from observation to making; studio benches, communal tables, and walls that show work-in-progress make an energized setting for experimentation.
Key features of the day include the exhibition tour, a compact walk between venues, and an extended studio period where mixed-media materials are provided. Participants probe different mark-making tools, learn rapid sketching strategies, and explore layering with pastel and charcoal. The materials—ink for resolute marks, charcoal for volume, and pastel for color and texture—are curated to coax bold, expressive outcomes and to expand technical fluency in contemporary drawing.
Why this workshop stands out in Athlone: Luan Gallery has anchored the town’s contemporary art scene, linking national programming with local artists, while Abbey Road Artist Studios provides an active, communal workspace where emerging artists practice daily. For teens, the program creates a bridge between seeing professional work and making their own, supported by an experienced facilitator in Rob Quinn. The free admission and all materials included remove common access barriers, making it an ideal first step toward arts engagement.
Practically: the workshop runs 2:30–5:00 with check‑in at 2:20 at Luan Gallery; spaces are capped at a small group size to keep instruction focused. It’s wheelchair and stroller accessible, and booking is essential due to limited capacity. Families can pair the session with a stroll along the nearby River Shannon or a visit to Athlone Castle for a fuller afternoon.
For visiting teens and guardians, expect hands-on demonstrations, group critiques, and the freedom to leave a piece finished or in progress. Whether a young person aims to deepen school art practice or simply try contemporary drawing for the first time, this masterclass offers structure, material richness, and a clear pathway from looking to making in Athlone’s compact cultural quarter.
The event is free, supported by Creative Ireland and Westmeath County Council, and tailored to a tight cohort of up to 12 participants so each teen receives feedback and time with the tutor. Parents should plan for drop‑off and pickup; local cafes near the gallery provide waiting spots.
easy.
2.5 hours.
Light — suitable for teens; no specific fitness required beyond ability to stand and move between venues.
This session is designed specifically for ages 13–17.
The event is free to attend, but booking is essential and spaces are limited.
Yes — ink, charcoal, pastel and paper are provided for every participant.
Yes — the program notes both Luan Gallery and Abbey Road Artist Studios are stroller- and wheelchair-accessible.
Group size is capped at 12 to ensure focused instruction and feedback.
No — the masterclass suits beginners and more experienced teens who want to expand contemporary drawing techniques.
Luan Gallery plays a central role in Athlone’s contemporary art provision and often hosts national and regional programming; this session appears in the Cruinniú na nÓg youth arts calendar.
Participants are encouraged to reduce waste by using supplied materials thoughtfully and to respect studio protocols for reuse and recycling of paper and packaging.
Athlone Castle Visitor Centre preserves and interprets the history of Athlone and the River Shannon from a fortified medieval site in Athlone, County Westmeath. The centre offers a combination of guided tours, interactive exhibitions, and immersive displays designed to engage families, history enthusiasts, and school groups. Visitors can explore the castle battlements, view the 360º cinematic experience, and learn about local battles, settlement, and social history through hands-on exhibits. Guided programming includes seasonal and themed experiences such as the Heritage Week 2025 Guided Tour Of Athlone Castle, which traces the site's development from its earliest days to the present, and special workshops tied to local galleries and community events. The centre supports creative community initiatives by promoting related workshops like the Up in Arms! pumpkin carving workshop and the Pride and Protest banner-making workshop held at Luan Gallery. Admission to Athlone Castle provides access to the exhibitions, interactive games, and panoramic views from the battlements. Practical visitor information including opening hours, ticketing details, accessibility notes, and guidance for groups is available from the centre to help plan visits and school trips throughout the year.
Book with Athlone Castle Visitor Centre