The designer and manufacturer of ‘Simply E Designs’, Emma Stinson, tells her story of how three generations of saddlery family skills have been passed down to her.  Emma hales from a local family of saddlers ‘Stinson’s’. Emma designs and manufactures a sustainable high-end fashion accessory brand.

In this exhibition she demonstrates her story through her leather handbag range.  She explains that “mixing old with new” is possible as she keeps both the traditional leather craft alive as a testament to her family heritage, while creating contemporary accessories for the modern wearer. Each one of her handbag creations shows individuality alongside offering a timeless investment for your wardrobe.

Graft – to work, combine an idea or system, relating to botanic propagation.

This network of artists has supported each other for many years while also forging individual creative paths. They are connected regionally and thematically by the landscape and people of South Armagh. Addressing this longstanding relationship, the group present their collaboration, GRAFT. A circular process by which each artist has loaned an example of their own work to a colleague and then taken inspiration from another’s to develop interconnected artwork.

Aptly, the acronym ROGHA is also the Irish word for choice, as passionate collectors will discover a meld of disciplines here, amongst a special gathering of accomplished artists.

With this exchange, Mary Cowan Ceramics, Caóilfíonn Murphy O’Hanlon Textiles, Tracey McVerry Glass, Rozzi Kennedy Painting, Karen Murphy Fine Art, Mary Larkin Textiles and Diane McKevitt Mixed Media have found meeting points to grow their working practices as one.