Artistic Director William Frode de la Foret (pictured here with board member Eamonn) William is an undisciplined artist born in France, making art with people in various contexts since 1995. He has developed, directed and facilitated a number of arts programmes with Cork Community Art Link since 1993 including a 10-year programme in Our Lady’s psychiatric hospital Cork, and "What if" (whatif.ie) a programme exploring participatory public art practice. He has over 30 years experience in community street performance, including parades and street theatre shows and most recently The Dragon of Shandon Samhain Parade. His practice is shaped by his belief that the arts represent an infinite field of possibilities for people and cannot be reduced to academic, institutional and market driven conceptions and that everybody has the right to create art, to engage with the making of culture and its representation on one’s own terms.
Email: william.artlink@gmail.com
Assistant Art Director Beibhinn O Callaghan With a background in fine art and drawing, Beibhinn started on a Community Employment Scheme in 2017 and found it was an amazing atmosphere to work in from the beginning. Over the years, she has been a crucial part of CCAL artistic programmes as her many talents shine through consistently. She is now Assistant Artistic Director, and we are lucky to have such creative, talented hands as part of our core team. Beibhinn enjoys working with people in various community settings and witnessing the thrill and magic of parades. For her, Cork Community Art Link is a place for everyone to get involved - you don’t have to have a background in art or know what you want to do, it's all about the sharing of skills.
Aisling McCallion General Manager Aisling McCallion is a textile artist and writer, with various experience in sectors that cross the textile, art, design and social enterprise industries. Born in Donegal, Aisling has previously worked as a technical knitwear designer for Inis Meáin Knitting Co. and Blarney Woollen Mills. A past member and co-director of spacecraft Artist Studios, Aisling has an infinity for artist-run spaces, the commons, and the transformative power of making art. She enjoys exploring the many ways storytelling interacts with each artistic discipline. Growing up on the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, Aisling has experienced the impact of community arts in contributing to a true cultural democracy. Aisling was drawn to CCAL through shared values and ethos, she is an advocate for fair and inclusive access to the arts for all. Email: manager@corkcommunityartlink.com
Sam Hamilton Lead Technician & Drama Facilitator With a background in metal work as well as theatre performance and production, multitalented Sam has been involved with Cork Community Art Link since 2006. Over the years of creating giant floats, metal frame structures as well as devising and leading drama workshops, Sam has proven himself to be an essential part of our team here at CCAL, he is now the Lead Technician for CCAL parades and also runs numerous workshops with various community groups throughout the year.
Raffaele Muraca Artist & Facilitator Visual artist and facilitator, Raffaele has built his experience in prop and float-making over his many years of involvement at CCAL. He studied Fine Art at Brera Art Academy in Milano and then graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Pedagogy. He worked for several years in Italy as an educator/facilitator with teenage refugees, organising cultural events and social activities bridging cultures and establishing social integration using various forms of art as a medium. Raffa believes in the power of the arts as an empowering way for creating culture and developing people’s growth.
Podge Daly Comic Book Illustrator & Facilitator Podge graduated from Cluin Mhuire school of art and design in Galway with a Degree in fine art and from the Huston Film College in N.U.I. Galway with a masters in production and direction. He spent 15 years producing group and solo exhibitions, plays and short films and 10 years in N.U.I. Galway as the head tutor of the arts society running life drawing, still life, sculpture classes and more. Podge is a contracted artist and facilitator at CCAL, and we love to have him, as he is as witty as talented, and that’s saying a lot. Podge is co-creator and facilitator of the comic book making classes at CCAL, a course which has proven to be very popular of the past couple of years.
Anna Marie Whelan Administrator Anna Marie has been involved with CCAL for the past twenty years. She is dedicated as well as hardworking and Cork Community Art Link benefits greatly from having her around for all this time. Having served as a Board Member for many years, she has decided to join our core team at the Lido as an arts administrator since 2022 which we are very happy about. Anna Marie fundamentally believes in free access to arts for all and understands the value of community work.
Elizabeth Galvin Cremin Administrator Liz joined the team at CCAL in September 2022 as an administrator. She is involved in many projects, and you will probably find her volunteering in a few places you might know around town! Liz wanted to work at CCAL as she was drawn to our work with the arts and local community, she enjoys being a part of every aspect of what we do as a community arts charity.
Agata Kozłowska Care Taker Agata started in CCAL in 2021. At first, she was wondering if she would be able to follow as she had not previously worked in art settings but soon learned that everyone, if given the chance, can develop skills they didn’t necessarily know they had! Over the past year, Agata has opened herself to creativity and has made some beautiful pieces as well as participated in many community workshops. Her favourite moments however were most certainly performing in our various parades as Agata also found a dormant amazing performer within herself ready to pounce now at every occasion
Aaron O'Connor Art Worker Aaron is an aspiring freelance illustrator and designer, he's been part of the Art Link team since January 2023. He's passionate about making art accessible to everyone, believing it can break down barriers and let people express themselves, regardless of their background or situation.