Yesterday I launched the new International Artist In Residence website. It was designed along with Eric Snell, the director of the programme. Eric is a former tutor of mine as I used to attend the Grange House Art & Design college of which the IAIRP is part. He approached me asking if I would be able to make the new site for them, I agreed, and after much planning, and the selection of difference ideas and designs we came up with a solution we were both happy with.

The website helps to bring attention to the programme which gives a unique opportunity to students in the island by allowing them to see artists at work in the studio.

Established in 1996 by Joanna Littlejohns and Eric Snell the International Artist in Residence Programme was created to give the students studying Art and Design at Grange House the chance to work alongside professional artists of international repute. Parallel to this, the Programme was also devised to stimulate and encourage greater discourse and to increase the level of cultural debate within the island.

Over the past 14 years the IAIRP have invited a wide and diverse range of artists to the island from ‘literally’ all over the world to continue with their own visual research, to mount exhibitions in ‘the gallery’, stage performances, realise site-specific projects and to deliver range of workshops and public lectures.

From IAIRP.com

You can learn about all the previous residencies and  more about the programme which has now been running for over 14 years. I certainly found it interesting during my time as a student at Grange House; it allowed me to see things I would otherwise not have been able to in Guernsey, I still attend the public exhibitions today as it’s one of the best places to see contemporary art in the island.

Recently the IAIRP has taken on a more public profile and the new website is part of this change. The artists are no longer solely working within the studio at Grange House, but rather exhibiting in public locations such as the town market, and Castle Cornet allowing everyone to see and benefit from the artworks. This summer renowned sculptor Antony Gormley - best know for his Angel of the North sculpture - will be exhibiting at Castle Cornet.

The IAIRP looks to be growing from strength to strength, attracting an artist such as Gormley is testament to the reputation of the programme, but it wouldn’t be possible without support from HSBC Private Bank, and the other sponsors.

HSBC Private Bank is dedicated to playing an active role in helping develop the economic, cultural and educational aspects of the local communities in which we operate across the world. We are very pleased to be a part of bringing art and design into the heart of Guernsey.

Steve Eldridge, Marketing & Communications Manager HSBC Private Bank, Channel Islands

To find out more about the programme and up coming events, such as the Gormley exhibition and ‘Art and Islands in Today’s Global Economy’ conference visit www.iairp.com