About Us
In 2009, we returned from travelling to find Ireland in the grip of recession.
There were vacant properties everywhere: not only down side streets, but on main streets and in city centre locations.
Conceived as a response, PrettyvacanT Dublin wanted to repurpose these vacant properties as temporary exhibition spaces.
We wanted to make the properties more aesthetically appealing whilst allowing artists to bring their work to a wider audience, and so we set about identifying empty properties and forging contacts in the art and property world ...
After 11 shows attracting over 5,000 visitors and Mayoral Support, PrettyvacanT Dublin is fast-becoming a permanent fixture on the Dublin cultural landscape, with coverage on RTE Six One News, RTE Radio, Irish Times and Irish Independent.
We have also collaborated with a number of other organisations and initiatives to bring life to empty properties including the ILAC Centre, Clerys, Dublin City Council and Virtual Shopfronts.
Louise Marlborough, Director and Co-founder
I am an artist and photographer first, and more recently a Director and Curator.
My artistic endeavours began at an early age and I was regularly found drawing and making things. At age 6 I was given my first camera and have been snapping away ever since. I gained a degree in Fine Art from NCAD before going on to study Photography in London.
PrettyvacanT Dublin was set up when I returned home to Dublin after 3 years travelling.
When I am not seeking out new artistic talent I can be found in the cafes of Dublin as an unofficial carrot cake taster.
Philip Rowley, Communications Manager and Co-founder
My background is in media and digital advertising, having worked on campaigns for DiscoverIreland.ie, Cadbury, Canon, The Guardian, HSBC and eBay, in London, Auckland and Dublin.
After spending three years taking in Japan, Australia and New Zealand, I settled in Dublin and helped set up PrettyvacanT Dublin with Louise.
In my spare time, I obsessively surf the internet and argue with Louise about art.