10-year celebration for Art in the Open
WEXFORD’S 10th annual Art in the Open Festival starts next Sunday, July 30, running for seven days with a non-stop schedule of plein air activities involving artists from all over the world.
Watch out for artists at their easels in a variety of scenic locations during the week from Wexford town on Sunday, July 30, and Saturday, August 5, to Woodville House and Gardens, New Ross, on Monday, July 31; Kilmore Quay on Tuesday, August 1; Enniscorthy on Wednesday, August 2; Rosslare on Thursday, August 3; and Hook Head on Friday, August 4.
Visiting artists will be giving master classes and workshops in pastels, oils, acrylics and sketching in many of the paint-out destinations.
The premiere of a new film, Vermeer: Beyond Time, about the paintings of the famous 17th century Dutch painter, will be shown courtesy of the National Gallery of Ireland at Wexford Arts Centre on Tuesday, August 1 at 7.30 pm. Admission is free and can be booked on the Arts Centre website. The National Gallery will present a free lecture on the history of Plein Air Painting in Ireland at the Arts Centre on Thursday, August 3 at 7.30 p.m.
In a special 10th anniversary project, the National Gallery is providing one of its artists John O’Reilly to paint a massive mural on a gable wall in Skeffington Street, based on the film. Local artist Jeff Dobson will paint large murals at Selskar and on the wall facing Wexford Bridge.
A charity quick draw will be held in Selskar Square in aid of the MRI Scanner appeal for Wexford General Hospital from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 5, over the bank holiday weekend with artists painting scenes for sale to members of the public.
Paintings completed during the festival by more than 150 participating artists will go on display in a gala exhibition at Greenacres Gallery which will be officially opened by Wexford County Council chairman Cllr John Hegarty at 3 p.m. on Sunday, August 6 continuing on Monday, August 7.
The winning art of County Wexford primary school children in a competition entitled ‘My Wexford’ will feature in the exhibition and will also be displayed on flags along Wexford quays.