Worldwide welcome to Art in the Open
AMONG the visiting artists and international tutors attending this year’s Art in the Open Festival taking place in Wexford in the week leading up to the August bank holiday weekend, will be the watercolourist Keiko Tanabe from Japan and oil painters Haidee-Jo Summers from the UK, Albert Valentini from the Netherlands and Stewart White from the US.
Around 200 professional and amateur artists from all over the world are expected to attend the 11th annual festival which has the National Gallery of Ireland as a partner, presenting three events including a screening of the film ‘Loving Vincent’ on Monday, July 30 at Wexford Arts Centre, a pre-exhibition talk at a Roderic O’Connor show at the National Gallery followed by a paint-out in Merrion Square, Dublin, on Tuesday, August 7, and family friendly workshops on Saturday morning, August 4.
Wexford is a popular destination for the artists, many of whom return each year to enjoy the county’s stunning landscapes and friendly welcome. Among the painting locations in 2018 are Duncannon Beach and Fort. Artramon House and Farm and the picturesque village of Clonegal and Huntington Castle with events also taking place in Wexford town.
The annual Charity Quick Draw in Wexford town on the last Saturday is very popular with the artists and the public – this year the funds raised will go to Cottage Autism Network.
The social side of the festival is also a big hit with artists including the barbecue and Irish music session in T.Morris pub and the gala dinner in the Riverbank House Hotel.
The participating artists will visit a different locations around the south east for each of seven days and selected works painted by them will go on show in Greenacres Gallery on Sunday and Monday, August 5 and 6.
The exhibition offers awards totalling €5,000 and a prestigious first place purchase award to become part of the Mayoral Collection of Wexford County Council.