Future Makers Award for Tullamore designer

Sinéad O’Dwyer, a fashion designer from Tullamore, has been announced as one of the recipients of the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland’s (DCCoI) Future Makers Awards and Supports programme for 2019.

Future Makers is one of Europe’s largest prize-funded award programmes for students and emerging makers and a total of €25,000 was awarded to 23 designers and craftspeople this year.
The announcement took place at an awards ceremony on Friday June 14 in The Westbury, Dublin which was officially opened by fashion designer, educator and former Future Makers winner, Natalie B. Coleman.
The certificates were presented to the recipients on the night by DCCoI Chair Breege O’Donoghue.
In the Emerging Maker category, London-based fashion designer Sinead was awarded Exhibition Support of €1,500.
"‘Sinead’s work is tackling the contentious subject of body image. 
There is a bravery to her practice. Hers is an important message told through a combination of body sculpture, performance and fashion," said Karen Hennessy, Chief Executive of the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland.
Sinéad graduated from the Royal College of Art, London in 2018.
Divided into student and recent graduates and emerging maker categories, the Future Makers Awards and Supports programme recognises and rewards vision, innovation and excellence in both making and the creative process and is one of several DCCoI initiatives supporting a new generation of talent in the design and craft sector. Celebrating its 10-year anniversary in 2019, this year’s prize fund was increased to €25,000 reflecting DCCoI’s ongoing commitment to supporting and investing in the potential of talented makers that are in the crucial early stages of their career journeys.
Future Makers judge Alison Conneely is a past winner having received the overall Future Makers Award in 2013. She is among many previous winners and recipients who have established and developed careers across a wide range of design specialities in the creative sector. 
These include fashion designers Pearl Reddington, Natalie B. Coleman, and Sorcha O’Raghallaigh; jewellers Genevieve Howard and Pierce Healy; leather artist Úna Burke; ceramicist Ann McBride; design studios Elements of Action and Superfolk; and furniture designers Cillian Ó Súilleabháin and Alan Meredith.
The RDS Craft Awards 2020 will be open to winners of DCCoI Future Makers Awards & Supports 2019. 
Five bursaries of €10,000 each will be awarded for the development of business and craft skills to those pursuing a professional career in the sector.  
See rds.ie/craft for information.