The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
A FORMER Ennis resident is making a big impression on the Tattoo Art Convention circuit after setting up his own business in Pretoria, South Africa.
Siegfried Avenstrup, better known as Ziggy, originally came to Ennis as a young adult and retuned to South Africa in 2014 after studying at the Community Training Centre at the Clare Youth Service. His parents Siegfried and Nastaja live in Sixmilebridge.
Having developed and honed his artistic skills at CYS, Ziggy went to further specialist training in tattoo artistry,
“I was originally taught by my grandfather and father and was later inspired by the art teacher at the CYS Community Training Centre. I loved the passion he had for art and our discussions about tattoo art opened my mind to the opportunities. I have grown as an artist since then by working hard and developing my skill level.”
Ziggy now runs his own successful tattoo studio in the Doornpoort area of Pretoria and is known for his innovative and creative designs. His reputation is increasing through the competition circuit and he takes great pride in the development of his work to date,
“My aim in life is to have my own business that is known worldwide, through competition and Tattoo art conventions, and to be able to help others achieve the same opportunities.”
His career journey has had many challenges and he is grateful to those who helped him along his chosen path.
“Being a student at Clare Youth Service taught me a lot about responsibility. I was facing lots of personal issues and had many ups and downs during that time.
“The great tutors at the Centre helped me to follow my dreams and not to give up.
People believed in me and encouraged me.
“My journey still had its ups and downs, but today I am a successful businessman and can truly say 100% that the help from the tutors at the Community Training Centre helped me to achieve my goals.”
Recently married to Verna, who he describes as “a fantastic woman that keeps me in line!”, Ziggy remains in contact with several former classmates in Ennis and is looking forward to his next visit,
“I keep in contact with Stephen Garvey and Phil Ryan who were both classmates but also best friends. I also keep in contact with Wolf Lorien and Toni Knowles, two of the many tutors who helped me during my time at the CYS Community Training Centre.
“I am really looking forward to revisiting Clare later in the year if the Covid restrictions have eased by then.”
The Community Training Centre at Clare Youth Centre is currently enrolling new participants for the coming autumn. If you are between 16 and 21 years and interested in achieving certification in a supported environment, contact Edel McDonough, CTC Manager at 065 6845359 for further information.
One course that is proving very relevant to the modern workplace is the award in Creative Media Technology Course. This Level 4 Programme was launched in 2019 and it teaches the technologies and processes of the modern workplace, ensuring that Learners become proficient in modern digital technologies.
In this way, the programme addresses key aspects of the digital divide. Whilst the EU’s Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) recorded that many sections of the Irish population do not have the skills needed for the modern workplace, this is certainly not the case with those who attend this course. Ziggy will be visiting the Community Training Project later in the year and he is encouraging all young people to consider taking up one of its courses.
