AFFA - The athenry foundation for art
Mission
The Athenry Foundation For Art (AFFA) was established in June 2024.
The mission of AFFA is to advance Arts and Culture in Athenry and the West of Ireland.
We want to see the Arts and Culture of Athenry flourish as it should. A world class public Art Gallery, space and support for artists and creatives.The company has been set up on a not-for-profit basis and will operate as a charitable enterprise. Funding will be sought both from government sources and from philanthropists. Any profits made by the company will be reinvested back into the company to finance further artistic and cultural initiatives.
Our Goals
Visual Arts
- Establish a world class Art gallery and Arts centre in Athenry
- Provide creative assistance to artists by offering studio space at reasonable rents
- Promote and encourage artists by offering exhibition opportunities
- Assist artists in marketing their own works
- Establish FETAC recognised Art Education courses catering for all – part time and full time
- Establish Artist Bursaries to help disadvantaged talented artists
Film & Documentary
- Provide assistance to film makers for projects centered in the West of Ireland
- Establish a Film Bursary programme
Culture
- Help to protect and preserve the Historical Legacy of Athenry and the West of Ireland
- Establish a Research Bursary for historians and archaeologists
Philanthropy
- Provide a means for modern philanthropists to give support and to see their donations make an important and timely difference to Arts and Culture in Athenry and it’s hinterland
- Ensure that projects are managed efficiently and established so that future generations can continue to enjoy and benefit the legacy of generous donors
Team
Tricia Fahy - dIRECTOR
Director
Tricia is an Athenry native, with strong links to Athenry. She is passionate about Art and Music, and about helping creative people to flourish. Like her late mother Marie, she is passionate about local history and preserving the historical legacy of this very special town.
Tricia is Vice President of Operations at Qenta Payments Inc. In her spare time she enjoys painting portraits and has had a portrait selected for the Chelsea Art Fair.
She also looks after the family farm, which mainly consists of pet goats, rescue donkeys, feral cats and the newest arrivals of 12 hens.
Tricia’s dad is Paddy Fahy ‘The Silver Fox’, winner of SIX County medals in the 1960s for hurling with the Turloughmore hurling team.
Background
● Software Engineer & Systems Analyst
● IDFPE World Champion Powerlifter
● Operations Director
● Project Manager
● Portrait Artist
● Entrepreneur
● Farmer
Fionnuala Gallagher - director
Director
Fionnuala AKA Fou Scarf is a Visual Art Curator, Director & Performer of Theatre/ Spectacle & Clown. Her characters include Begoñia the Witch, Madame Fou the FortuneTeller, Saint Bridget + Timetravellers, vagabonds, rappers, saints, scholars and sculptures. Watch out – she may pop up anywhere… Fou Scarf encourages play, silliness, merriment, craic – All Ideas are Good – Throw them in the pot.
Fou’s Mission + Passion is to encourage NEW + ORIGINAL ART and Artists, visual art / sculpture / performance art / music / song / performance / theatre / clown / improvisation / spectacle / film / improvisation / pop-up events.
Fionnuala is also a qualified Laughter Yoga leader, writer and singer.
Background
- ● Founder of Blue Raincoat / Dhá Eán Theatre Companies
- ● Cross Border/All Island Workshops
- ● Curator of NUI Galway Art Collection & Art Gallery 2003-2021
- ● Visiting and Local Artist Residencies
- ● Director of Múscailt Arts Festival at NUI Galway 2004-2018
- ● European Collaborations in Performance Art / Visual Art / Clown
- ● Arts Officer NUI Galway 2003-2021
- ● Artist’s Talks Series + Lunchtime Concerts
- ● Manager of BOI Theatre 2003-2015
- ● One Act Play Series + Solo Show Monologue Series
- ● GCC – Galway Community Circus – Ex Board Member
- ● GYAA – Founder of Galway Youth Arts Alliance
Annette Maye - CEO
Director
Annette is an established Arts Administrator with many years of experience in Ireland and the UK working in the not-for-profit arena, festivals and broadcast media. She has recently rediscovered her love of visual arts and has been attending lots of openings and exhibitions while completing the Create Course at GRETB.
A Galway native and long-time Athenry resident Annette is passionate about the arts in all its many and varied forms. She is a strong believer in every community having access to an arts and creative space in their local area. A graduate of University of Galway she holds a BA (Hons) in English and Archaeology and in 2024 completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Youth and Community Development (Hons).
Currently Annette works for Galway Film Fleadh where she has held a number of roles over the years including Community, Outreach and Education Programmer, Programme Co-Ordinator and Print Manager. Currently she co-ordinates the Industry events and the annual Pitching Competition.
Background
● Freelance Arts Worker/Administrator 2001-2006: The Town Hall Theatre, Ticketmaster, Cinemobile, Baboro, International Arts Festival for Children, Inis Theatre and Salmon Poetry
● Programmer: Junior Galway Film Fleadh 2005-2022 – specific responsibility for schools + young adult programming, outreach and education along with all funding applications and activities including participation in the European Film Academy Young Audience Award
● Channel 4 Television (London SW1) 1996-2001: Programme Executive responsible for Acquired US Series including Friends, Sopranos and Sex and The City
● Sales: Previously worked at BBC Worldwide and BBC Films (London W12) in International Programme Sales, Drama Rights Clearance + Finance and at Warner Bros (London SW6) in Non-Theatrical Sales + Servicing
● Operations: 1997-1998: Member of the start-up Team Film 4 Channel responsible for sourcing and contracting the initial 600 films.
● 1995-1996: Co – Manager of Prince Charles Cinema, (London W1) with responsibility for managing the venue, all hires + events
● Box Office Experience: Town Hall Theatre, Galway, Ticketmaster, Offstage Downstairs (London NW1) + Almedia Theatre, (London N1)
● Fundraising: Extensive experience + success in applying for funding locally, nationally + internationally
● Annette’s dad Peter Maye played football for the Mayo minor team in the 1950’s. Despite his best efforts none of his family ever showed any interest in any sport! Annette is an avid reader and member of Charlie Byrne’s Book Club. She’s a big fan of Chi Gong movement therapy and has re-homed many rescue dogs over the years.
Contact AFFA