In our ‘That was My Year’ series, we sit down with promiment Laois people in their respective fields and ask them about their highs and lows of 2017, and what hopes they have for 2018.
In this segment, we spoke to Mountmellick wood-turner and entrepreneur Alan Meredith.
Alan graduated with a masters in architecture from UCD in 2015 and opened his workshop and studio in Mountmellick the same year.
He was the overall winner of Laois’s Best Young Entrepreneur, as well as winning in the category of Best Start-Up Business last year.
His work has also received national recognition, with the Irish Independent’s Weekend magazine choosing him as one of five top up-and-coming designers to watch out for.
Last year he was also the Overall Winner and won first Prize in Artistic Category at the Irish Woodturners’ Guild National Seminar.
2017
1 – What was your personal highlight of 2017?
Exhibiting my furniture and sculptural vessels at Tresor Contemporary Craft in Basel, Switzerland was the Highlight of the Year. While in Basel I won the Tresor Discovery Award which was awarded by public vote.
2 – Anything you would like to change from 2017?
No, 2017 was a big learning curve for the business, there is always ups and downs.
3 – Favourite moment of 2017 (apart from own personal activity)
The Electric Picnic was fantastic event, it never gets old and it’s great to have such an event in Co Laois.
4 – Worst moment of 2017?
Couriers continually failing to deliver.
5 – Best learning experience from 2017?
I started exporting my furniture all over the world in 2017, these new markets are very exciting.
The future
1 – What would be the one thing you would like to change in 2018?
There is a constant desire to increase standards and that is across the business in every aspect. There are a number of projects I want to develop.
2 – If you could attend any event in 2018 what would it be?
The Venice Architecture Biennale is curated this year by the Irish firm Grafton Architects.
3 – What would you like to achieve in 2018?
International exhibition presence is the current goal, I am currently working on projects in Canada and New York.
4 – Where do you hope to see yourself at the end of 2018?
I currently have one international gallery representing me in Switzerland so the plan is to get the work into more locations in 2018.
5. What would be your own personal motto to see you through 2018?
No. (is often most appropriate)
SEE ALSO – Mountmellick wood-turner tipped as designer to watch
