History

I have been involved with community art since 2000. In 2003 I founded Artastic as a trading name, to give an identity to my work, and to professionalize my practice.

While Artastic remains my trading name, in general Artastic has become more commonly known for work of a collaborative nature in which I am the artistic director. 

There is a little more history on Artastic and myself below if you wish to learn more.

Vijaya Bateson

Vijaya Bateson 

Although my name is Eoin Bateson I have become better known as Vijaya, hence the name by-vijaya.com.

My history of involvement with street parades and cultural festivals started in London in 1987, where, over seven years I was co-project manager of London’s Largest Indian Cultural Festivals, Rathayatra.

In 2000, when I returned to Ireland, I became involved in an Artsquad training project in Kildare.  My role in Artsquad was initially administration and the managment of projects, but gradually my interest changed to that of community art, via the medium of mask, prop and puppet making.

Arising from these experiences I was keen to further develop my skills in the fields of pageantry and street theatre performance.

Kildare County Council Library and Arts Service gave me the use of a building for three years to initiate a seed project. The development of my own work as an artist and community development through the practice of street theatre were the key factors for their help.

With help and encouragement from many, I established Artastic, to professionalize my practice, and give community groups a name to identify with.

My objectives were met, and I have now established myself as one of Ireland’s better known street performers, and created a vibrant street theatre community.

To further my professional development as an artist in a community context I trained both with Laban Guild, Community Dance Leaders Course and obtained a Certificate in Youth Arts, NUI, Maynooth in association with the NYCI. This training has heightened my awareness of the importance of providing a quality artistic experience.

More recently, through the Artist Bursary Scheme the Arts Council granted me an award to rent a studio which has dramatically helped in my commitment to the development of my own work on a full-time basis.

Artastic

Artastic’s collaborative art projects were strongly established through the Newbridge Bealtaine Arts Festival parade.

Local schools and community groups, alongside artists, combined their efforts to reclaim the streets of Newbridge with glorious street parades. Artastic quickly developed an excellent reputation in and around Co. Kildare and Co. Wicklow for their help with small festivals and arts projects.

Since 2003 Artastic have been awarded grants to enter a pageant in St Patrick’s Festival Parade in Dublin. The national recognition from St Patrick’s Festival has resulted in entering pageants in many of Irelands major parades, including Greystones Arts Festival, Ballina Mardi Gras, World Culture Festival Dunloaire, Drogheda Samba Festival, Rose of Tralee, and the Abbey One Hundred Celebrations. Artastic has been responsible for directing the Killarney Summer Festival Parade since 2004.

Personally, and on behalf of the greater community
of Artastic we would like to thank all of you who
have helped.With your help we hope to continue to devise and create new work.

Many thanks,

Vijaya Bateson
Artistic Director