Stephen joins the Panel as a craft and applied art specialist, succeeding outgoing Advisory Panel member Roger Bennett. Roger completed his customary three-year term on the Panel between 2022 and 2024. The Trustees of the Golden Fleece Award are immensely grateful to him for his support, dedication and expertise over the years, and wish him well with his own work in the future.
Stephen O'Connell owns and runs O'Connell Gallery in Clonakilty, West Cork. The gallery specialises in craft, presenting work by both established and emerging artists and makers. He previously worked as a furniture and decorative arts specialist at Christie's auctioneers in London, and holds an MA in Arts Policy and Practice from NUI Galway.
The Golden Fleece Award Advisory Panel consists of six industry experts who review applications received for the Golden Fleece Award and make recommendations to the Trustees on how they feel the Award should be distributed in a given year. Stephen joins current members Clíodhna Shaffrey (Chair), Sara Flynn, Joe Hogan, Hugh Mulholland, and Niamh O'Malley.
