Exhibition features a Lion’s share of art by 350 entrants
There was an enthusiastic response this year to the Wexford Lions Club Open Submission Exhibition which will be officially opened in Wexford Arts Centre by the arstist Bernadette Doolan on Saturday, March 10 at 3pm.
More than 150 paintings were entered in the adult section with an additional 100 in the children’s category and the large collection of impressive works went on display in the Arts Centre last Saturday, continuing until Saturday, March 31.
Visual Arts Manager Catherine Bowe said the event is one of the most popular in the centre’s calendar and the response has been remarkable again this year with an amazingly high standard of entries. ‘This display of local artistic talent has become a long-standing and much-loved tradition, reflecting the diverse artistic skills and talents of Wexford and the surrounding area’, said Catherine.
‘The open brief gives participants the freedom to create exiciting and original artwork, allowing them to tell their own stories.’
The upper gallery of the centre is dedicated to the work of the ‘young lions’, a promising group of budding artists who annually impress with their creativity. The exhibition will be opened by the Wexford artist Bernadette Doolan who began her career as a ceramic sculptor. Some years later, while preparing a commission for a homeless charity exhibiton with Focus Ireland, she found herself working for the first time through the medium of paint and canvas. Following a sell-out show, she has never looked back. That was 2007. Bernadette’s approach to paint is primarily sculptural and her work is focused on life, from childhood to old age and everything in between - dreams, wishes and fears. Her sculptural work has evolved into bronze. She is a Royal Ulster Academy exhibition winner.
Members of the Lions Club volunteer their time to humanitarian causes in their local community, helping people in need while enjoying the opportunity to develop personal friendships. Wexford Lions Club and Wexford Arts Centre would like to thank Spectrum Art Supply Shop and Wexford County Council for their generous support of the exhibition.