About the member

Emma is originally from South Africa and moved to Ireland with her family in June 2021 to Cork. Her career background is in Learning & Development and Hospitality, having owned 5-star, art-themed B&Bs in Durban.

Referring to herself as a “re-born Artist”, Emma returned to her passion for art in 2016, when she began an ‘Oil Painting for beginners’ class and attended workshops in portraiture, and landscape. She quickly honed her craft and joined a group of practicing artists at Studio 3. She had her own Emma Jacobs Art gallery at their flagship B&B, and she was the Founder of Durban Art Workshops, where she combined her passion for people and art. Her first solo exhibition was in March of 2020 at The Foyer in Durban.

Since moving to Ireland, Emma has participated in Kinsale Art Weekend annually, Showcase Kinsale, and Ballymaloe Craft Fair. She is the Artist in Residence at The Address Hotel, participated in various group exhibitions and held her first solo exhibition in Ireland at The Hideout Café and Art Gallery in Cork City. In August 2024 she exhibited at Cork Airport. In 2025 she had solo exhibitions at The Grey Heron, West Cork, and the Kinsale Library.

Emma holds a Bachelor of Arts and Postgraduate Diploma in Organisation from the University of Cape Town, and has a background in Corporate Learning & Development, and over 20 years’ experience in Hospitality, owning three art-themed B&Bs in Durban, South Africa. In April of 2024, Emma left her senior management role at a 4-star Cork hotel to pursue her Creative Entrepreneur path full-time.

Emma is available for private and corporate commissions and art classes. She is a member of Visual Artist Ireland, Business to Arts, and Sample Studios.