Tullamore artist selected for Esker Arts residency

Esker Arts has announced Hazel Egan as its 2026 artist in residence.

Hazel Egan is a visual artist from Tullamore. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art Printmaking and Contemporary Practice (Limerick School of Art and Design) and a Professional Masters of Education in Art and Design (National College of Art and Design).

Esker Arts said Hazel's work "explores representations of time, materiality, and the residues of process through drawing, printmaking, and sculptural installation".

Her practice is informed by the ecology of Ireland with a keen sensitivity to organic matter and close investigations of the built environment.

During the Esker Arts Studio residency, she will continue to develop ongoing strands of studio research including new work examining the repurposing of bogs in the Midland regions as sites for data storage.

“I am grateful to the Offaly County Council Arts Office and the team at Esker Arts for providing this wonderful opportunity and supporting my visual art practice," said Hazel.

"I look forward to engaging with local school groups and the community more broadly during my six-month residency.”

Speaking on her selection, Sean Walsh, Artistic Director, said: “We are delighted to have Hazel with us as our artist is residence for 2026.

"Her work is superb, and she has honed and developed a distinctive practice.

"Also, while it’s not a prerequisite, it is nice to be supporting a Tullamore artist with the studio residency award.”

The Esker Arts Studio Residence Award is funded by Offaly County Council.