Noel Corr is undeniably one of the longest serving and dedicated members of The Model’s Volunteer team. Every Wednesday Noel rises early to take the bus from his hometown in Bundoran, Co. Donegal to Sligo Town to donate his time as a Gallery invigilator.

Noel tells us why he volunteers and why he thinks others should too!

“I started volunteering at The Model about seven and a half years ago on the 25th of May, 2010. I’ve always been interested in art, now and again I would go to Dublin, to the National Gallery. I used to come here to The Model every Wednesday anyway. I came for the art and the café! For me, it’s a day out.”

“I volunteer from 10am – 2pm. There’s a nice atmosphere in the galleries. What I really like is that I meet a lot of different people. Later in the year, during the summer season, you meet Europeans, Americans & Australians… I’ve met so many over the years and I’ve made friends with a couple of them. I picked The Model because it is a peaceful place to come to, you know you can relax.”

“I will probably stay here. I come to Sligo every Wednesday anyway, 12 months of the year. So I’m going to keep volunteering as long as I’m still alive!”

“Volunteering would be good for anyone at college who may want to do something during the summer months. But anyone who’s interested in art could volunteer here. Coming to the Model, there’s a lot that you learn about the arts and the art world… and it’s a great place to be, I get on with everyone. They’re just a nice bunch of staff here and that’s important. You can come here and have a laugh and a joke & that’s just as important as anything else!”

If you are interested in joining the Volunteer team at The Model please contact get involved@themodel.ie