Background and Testimonials
Carmel Gallagher is a highly qualified and experienced visual artist and educator. She graduated from BCFE with a Higher Diploma in Classical and Computer Animation and went on to study Visual Communications at COMAD. More recently, Carmel completed a Higher Diploma in UX Design through the UX Design Institute, Dublin.
Carmel has developed a structured and effective approach to teaching drawing, centred on careful observation and the breakdown of complex objects into clear, recognisable shapes. Her teaching focuses on core artistic principles including proportion, perspective, three-dimensional form, and shading, helping students build strong foundational skills with confidence.
Alongside teaching, Carmel works as a professional artist, with ongoing commissions that include portraiture, shop signage, and both commercial and private murals. She has exhibited her work in numerous solo and group exhibitions.
Carmel’s passion for visual arts is reflected in her dedication to her students. Her classes are dynamic, contemporary, and innovative, and she strives to bring out the best in every student by encouraging exploration across a wide range of media and materials.
Artclub (formerly The Studios Lucan) has received multiple top awards in the Texaco Children’s Art Competition in recent years, a testament to the quality of teaching and creative environment fostered by Carmel.
Carmel’s aim is to inspire a lifelong love of art and creativity in students of all ages, while continuing her own creative journey for as long as possible.
Testimonials and Awards
"Hi Carmel, Laura's parent teacher meeting was this week & I just wanted to pass on her teacher's lovely comments. Last year, Laura was struggling with the presentation of her work. She raced through every task and her work was disorganised and sloppy and her handwriting wasn't great. Her teacher couldn't believe how much she's improved this year in her art, but also her class work in general. She takes her time, plans ahead, adds in detail and revises it before she's finished. It's also helped her confidence, and she's teaching other kids in the class how to draw. Teacher particularly likes the 'do it light until it's right' that Laura taught them (from you), and Teacher uses that phrase now for writing & maths in class, too. Thank you for your hard work and patience in class, Carmel. The kids love the way you teach, and aside from fostering their love of art, you're also teaching them essential life skills like planning ahead and organisation" Denise Howard - Lucan
"My 7 year old son loves art and I had been looking for classes in the area .
He is absolutely thrilled with Artclub. Carmel is great with the kids and a working artist herself so he is really picking up a lot of tips and the creations he comes home with are incredible. I would highly recommend these classes as a great base for anyone interested in art"
Sarah O' Donnell, Celbridge
"Chloe and Connor usually can't wait for art classes each week, they get so excited. Conor says "I love art classes" and this is HUGE for him because he was never into any sort of art or drawing before. That was Chloe's thing, but now he loves drawing, painting, creating things and even writing. He is so much more confident in school and now loves doing school work. There is a huge improvement in his writing skills and creative interest at school and at home. Thank you Carmel!"
Shauna Hickey, Leixilip.
"My two sons age 13 and 6 have learnt so many techniques in drawing, sketching and painting. They enjoy the classes and they love learning new things every week. They also learn how to use clay and they always come out of the class with lovely art pieces that they are very proud of. Carmel has great patience when teaching the children. They all get individual attention when needed. My sons want to go every week. They have done a good few terms now and they want to continue as they really enjoy themselves and it is great for them to express themselves through art. I would highly recommend these classes"
Susan Bollard, Lucan.
"The reason why I like the classes so much is that you get to experiment and you get to learn lots of new things like painting and about colours. My favourite class was when we designed and made our own t-shirts, it was really cool because I got to wear it all the time after"
Mark Shanaghan age 10
