Science Week Workshops

SETU hosted creative workshops at Spraoi Studios for Science Week. Artist Magda Karol and Niamh Colbert of Spraoi presented two days of free family activities.

The fun filled  participatory sessions were themed around ‘Regeneration’. Certain aquatic creatures such as the ‘immortal jellyfish’ , salamanders, axolotls, and starfish can to varying degrees ‘regenerate’. Inspired by these marvels of nature Spraoi artists and participating families created colourful artworks together. The resulting artworks will be exhibited in the SETU Cork Road campus. This shared learning experience was enabled by Science Foundation Ireland.  

N.E.S.T. (New Emerging Street Talent) 2025

Spraoi’s open call for Irish street artists with new work in development will open in early December 2024. N.E.S.T. offers successful applicants a range of supports including finance, residencies, technical supports, mentoring, travel, and accommodation.

Through Spraoi’s Four Nations partnership with festivals in Scotland, England, and Wales the selected artists will have opportunities to perform at four festivals during July and August 2025. Now is a good time to start thinking of your ideas for a new street performance show. See Spraoi website in early December for all details and application process and timelines.

Waterford and Longford Samhain Celebrations

Over October Bank Holiday Weekend Spraoi performed for thousands of people in both Waterford and Longford.

The Samhain Fire and Shadows procession performances were created by local artists in both locations. Each theme was inspired by individual seasonal folklore tales from Waterford and Longford. Artists, dancers, musicians, performers and technical teams delivered amazing arts attractions in both venues. Thanks too to the Arts Officers and Roads Staff at Waterford City and County Council and Longford County Council for their enthusiastic involvement in both productions.

Four Nations 2025

Spraoi International Street Arts Festival is partnered with three similar festivals in Scotland (SURGE), England (BD Bradford), and Wales (Green Man). Titled Four Nations the link enables mentoring, exchanges, employment, and performances by artists from participating nations and festivals. It includes group mentoring sessions which encourage artists to share ideas before commencing creation of individual works.

The 2025 group gathering will be hosted by Bradford Production Hub. Four Nations has recently been agreed again for 2025. All four festivals will take place next summer over July and August. Dates and artists’ access pathways to the programme will be announced early in December.

Spraoi Festival 2024

This year’s Spraoi Festival was a truly international gathering of artists and arts managers from Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales, France, Germany, Egypt, Finland, Portugal, Latvia, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, and U.S.A.

Along with vibrant street performances including Irish premieres we presented the Spraoi Parade world premiere, toe-tapping music, plus seminars and showcases that enabled Irish professionals to exchange ideas and plans with overseas colleagues.

Thanks to all the artists, musicians, parade cast, audiences, tech-crews, volunteers, funders, and sponsors who unleashed joyous mayhem on Waterford’s streets for three days.

Here are scenes from Spraoi International Street Arts Festival 2024.

Volunteers Shortlisted

Spraoi volunteers Claire Hennebry and Jamie Power are shortlisted for the Volunteer Ireland 2024 Awards.

The couple are nominated in the Arts, Culture, and Festivals category and will attend the national awards ceremony in Dublin this December. Claire and Jamie have been central to Spraoi Festival’s volunteer corps for many years. Their skilled management of artists, audiences, and performance areas make a major contribution to the festival’s success. Jamie has also performed in many company productions and Claire is a board member of Waterford Spraoi (CLG).