A family business promoting Irish Design

Since 2011, brothers Mark and John Haybyrne have been showcasing the best of contemporary Irish art and design in their store – Jam Art Factory.

Stocking a range of Irish art and design, they give independent artists – such as illustrator Fuchsia Macaree, Arty Smarty Jewellery and KaroArt Ceramics – a platform to exhibit and sell their work.

Mark Haybyrne, Jam Art Factory

Having started in The Liberties, they now have another thriving store in Temple Bar and their website ships internationally too.

Dublin.ie talks to Mark Haybyrne of Jam Art Factory to find out what motivated him to start the business and discuss what’s next for Dublin’s art and design scene.

In conversation with Mark Haybyrne

I was working in a retail job that I wasn’t mad about and John was looking for something to do as well. So, somehow, we decided to do this.

Jam Art Factory, Temple Bar

It started as an art gallery, displaying people’s work, but then we saw a trend and it’s evolved naturally from there.

Design was growing in Dublin. It’s a bit of design and art together. Rather than just being a gallery, we started to sell things that are pleasing to the eye that you can bring home and hang on your wall.

We now sell jewellery, ceramics, gifts and prints – which are our main product.

Growing the business

In 2011, we opened the Patrick Street store. Then, [in 2013], we opened the second shop to bring the business to a different audience. [Patrick Street] is a touristy area. Dublin people might not come up here too often, so we decided to open in Temple Bar too.

We also have a website. We get a lot of orders – not just from Ireland, but from overseas: America, the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Australia and even Hong Kong. I don’t know how they found out about us; they must have come into the shop when they visited Dublin.

how-dublin-works-jam-art-factory_0099_880x500_1

Since the recession, people want to shop local a lot more – rather than buying from chain stores. There is a demand for handmade products; people have gotten sick of mass-produced products.

Nurturing and supporting local artists

There are so many people out there with talent and, now, I think there is a desire to help people out who might be struggling – especially artists and designers whose funding was cut.

We aim to support artists and designers that are trying to start out and don’t know how to go about it. They need experience to get a job, but how can you get experience without having a job? A lot of people have started selling their work with us here and gone on to get jobs in their fields or gone on to sell their work full-time.

There is a demand for handmade products; people have gotten sick of mass-produced products.

I think Irish design is just going to grow bigger and bigger as people see how many talented people there are here.

I think you’ll see more independent craft fairs and initiatives – all supporting local artists. We’re happy to do our bit to help artists and designers to make a living out of what they love doing.

how-dublin-works-jam-art-factory_0099_880x500_2

So, next time you’re buying a gift for someone, Dublin.ie says consider giving Mark and John a hand with their mission to support Irish artists. Instead of a voucher or novelty socks, give someone the gift of craft from Jam Art Factory.

You can check out their range of contemporary Irish art prints on its webstore.

Amy Sergison works in the advertising industry, creating social and digital content for brands in Ireland and the UK. The child of inner-city parents, Dublin is in her blood. When not writing you can find Amy screaming at a rugby match, Instagramming her dinner, or searching for solace in the quiet spots of the city.

You might also like...

work

Creative Dublin: The Design House

In Temple Bar, nestled in a modern, environmentally-friendly building, is The Design House – a thriving hub of creativity. The Design House was founded by Irish fashion designer, Bebhinn Flood. It’s the creative home to several in-house designers. With design and retail under the one roof, it’s like buying straight from the studios. I needed machines and retail all in the same place. The walls host a gallery of art. Over 60 designers, mostly Irish, sell their creations here. There’s cutting-edge fashion, jewellery, bridal, vintage and a variety of crafts. Not to mention the in-house café and authentic churro takeaway. Then, th

Francis Bacon's Studio.

live

Dublin’s Top Ten Works of Art

The Book of Kells in Trinity is arguably Dublin’s most famous work of art, but what about all the famous Irish paintings and other international works of art in Dublin galleries? Here are ten of the major artworks hiding behind the doors you walk past every day. In the National Gallery of Ireland: With entrances on both Merrion Square and Clare Street, the National Gallery is the leading home of art in Dublin – and in Ireland. With the exception of some special exhibitions, admission is free for all. Here are just four of the masterpieces you can

ailbhe keane holds her phone showing a photo of her sister izzy keane

work

Meet a Dubliner – Ailbhe Keane, Izzy Wheels

Izzy Wheels works with artists and top designers to transform wheelchairs into fashionable works of art. Today, the brand sells its wheelchair wheel covers to customers all over the world, but it all began right here in Dublin. Sisters Izzy Keane and Ailbhe Keane founded the business back in 2016 when Ailbhe was a graphic design student at Dublin’s NCAD. Today, she is the company’s Creative Director. Peter Varga spoke to Ailbhe Keane on behalf of Dublin.ie. She tells him about her path to entrepreneurship and the inspiration behind Izzy Wheels.