Bio. Sean Kelly

 Sean was awarded a scholarship to the National College of Art in 1964. Economic reasons curtailed his studies after two years. Subsequently he trained in architecture working as the first assistant planner Roscommon Co. Co. before transferring to The Architectural Planning Group, Roscommon/Dublin.

He ran his own practice from 1969-1990.  Aside from his building design work he designed the template for the foundation stone of N.I.H.E Limerick (now UL) as well as a template for a stained glass window in Creagh Church, Ballinasloe in collaboration with the Late Patrick Pye.  

In the 90’s Sean moved into the realm of computer aided design. He was invited by Longford V.E.C. to establish their P.L.C. course in C.A.D. Later he established modules in drawing, graphic design, desktop publishing as well as teaching interior design. Sean also lectured in Athlone I.T, Roscommon V.E.C. and F.A.S. 

Sean joined the Property Registration Authority in 2007. In 2010 he was elected to the committee  for the selection and purchase of artwork for the new Government Offices in Roscommon. This work involved the installation of a major art piece in the foyer of the main building. Sean was part of the team that designed the competition brief, and the selection of the artist commissioned. Later he helped to coordinate the work for a second artwork commissioned on behalf of the Department.  It was these projects that acted as the catalyst which has led him to return to the study of Art & Design through the medium of paint at G.M.I.T. He graduated with a B.A. degree in 2018. Since then he has attended the Lodestar Summer School of painting at Glenstal Benedictine monastery in 2018 and 2019. Later he also participated in the Art in Liturgy Conference at the same venue.   

Sean exhibited in Kilrush, Dublin and had a solo exhibition in Ballinasloe in 2015 as part of the Co. Galway Library “Art Trail” and a second exhibition at the same venue on 2018.  

In 2017 he collaborated with Kilferagh Forge in the painting of the new public sculpture at Kilkee for Clare Co.Co.

“.....patinated in a large variety of colours which go in line with the natural colours of the biodiversity of the sea”[1]

“He re-skilled in his 40’s, changed careers in his 50’s, started travel in his 60’s is still running marathons in his 70’s.”[2]

At the end of year GMIT graduation exhibition in June the State purchased one of his paintings for inclusion in the national collection.

[1] HEPHAISTOS “ Junge handschrift in einer traditionellen Schmiede, Ausgabe 03/2018”

[2] Kelly D. Two Procrastinators in a Luscombe.   FLYER  (Seager Publishing 2018) pg.16