Conversation with Helen Merrigan Colfer

ABOUT Helen Merrigan Colfer

Helen Merrigan Colfer is a native of Co. Wexford, Ireland. She is a qualified professional fine artist and art teacher.

Helen studied art for five years at W.I.T. and the Crawford College of Art & Design in Cork, where she achieved the following: NCEA Certificate in foundation art 1983, NCEA honours Certificate in fine art 1985, NCEA honours Diploma in fine art 1986, and Honours Higher diploma in principles of art & design education 1987.

Upon completion of her diploma in fine art she was selected to exhibit her work at the Graduate Exhibition in Temple Bar Gallery Dublin in 1986. Helen taught art at secondary level from 1987-90 in New Ross, Co. Wexford before becoming head of the art department from 1990-2004 in Athlone Community College, Co. Westmeath.

She was also employed as a State Art Examiner for the Department of Education and Sciences for ten years.

In 2004 she left teaching to pursue a fulltime career in fine art and return with her husband to live in Co. Wexford, where she works from her studio in their home.