If you want a sneak preview of the fresh new furniture designs by designers of the future, as well as a few bargains, check out the annual furniture exhibition at the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology's Letterfrack campus in Connemara, which opened last Friday.
The thriving furniture school is displaying a selection of the best work from students studying at the college until August 19th. The show features over 80 of the best furniture creations from 170 students at Letterfrack, including a collection of coffee tables, chairs, lamps, game boards and CD holders.
Visitors will have an opportunity to purchase some of the items, including a wide selection of mirrors, candle holders, chopping boards, jewellery and trinket boxes from the furniture production students. Prices are around €40 to €50.
The exhibition also provides an interesting insight into the world of furniture - design, production, conservation, restoration, research and technology.
The aim of GMIT at Letterfrack is to enable its graduates to contribute to, and influence, the fields of design and manufacture of furniture in ways that are innovative, creative and responsive to the needs and development of a quality Irish furniture industry, according to lecturer Anthony Clare.
While based in a small rural village in Connemara, the degree of specialisation of the programmes on offer attracts a significant number of applicants from all over Ireland and abroad. The school has earned a reputation as a centre of excellence in furniture design, restoration and production, according to Mr Clare.
The school's higher certificate in engineering in furniture design and manufacture has been running for more than 17 years, with most graduates working in the design and craft industry.
The school also offers a higher certificate in engineering in furniture, a BSc in furniture conservation and restoration, and a BSc in furniture technology.
Next year the school will be offering two new programmes developed to address the needs of education - a four-year BSc in design and technology education and an HDip in education (technology).
GMIT Letterfrack, Letterfrack, Connemara, Co Galway. Tel: 095-41660 or
www.letterfrack.net.
