LOVELY WORKS BY ST. OLIVER’S ART GROUP ON SHOW

I recently headed for the County Museum where the St. Olivers Art Group were hosting their annual ‘Reflections of Colour’ and a huge crowd was packed into intimate surroundings for what turned out to be a sensational launch night.

The exhibition runs until Saturday, November 12 and highlights the excellent work done by the students of Carol Wallace who is the resident artist in St. Olivers Nursing Home and contains 54 pieces.

I wasn’t too long in the door when I met up with Bernadette McMahon and Francis O’Hanlon from Ashbrook who were there to see Bernadette’s mum Brigid Treanor from Blackrock who had two pieces on show and Bernadette told me she was very impressed with her mum’s work and the entire exhibition.

Seated close by I then met up with Tom Lamont from Blackrock who also had two pieces on show and he was surrounded by his family who included daughter Mary MacKell from Dublin, Vivienne and Tom Lamont from Blackrock and Patricia Ellis also from The Rock who were overawed with his work and that of the other artists on show.

Next I met up with Mary Rogan from Dromiskin who told me she was just there to see the exhibition and wasn’t there to support anyone and said the pieces were very colourful, hugely inspiring and a real credit to the artists and their teacher.

I then caught up with my old friends Peter and Phil McArdle from Greenacres who told me they thought the work was really great and were there to help out to make sure the night ran smoothly, eating all the nibbles, yes I guess that meant less plates to wash Peter!

After this I had the pleasure of meeting up with Kathleen Maguire from Fr. Murray Park who told me she really loved the art classes with Carol and had two pieces on show. She was there with her son Alan Maguire from Fr. Murray Park who was well impressed with his mum’s work!

Not too long I headed over for a word with Bessie Treanor from Bridge Street who was there to support her friends and she was accompanied by kids Peter Treanor from Bridge Street and Annette Quigley from Plaster who were really enjoying the whole occasion.

Next I managed a few words with Pauline Hanks from Blackwater Court who was Kitty Hanks from Meadow Grove who had one piece on show and told me that she was loving the classes and Carol is a great teacher.

One lady who could be described as prolific was Bessie Connors from Sliabh Foy Park who had just three on show and she was with Sheila Hamill from Carol Meade who had just the one but both ladies were certainly making the best of the night and no mistake.

Next I caught up with Anne Wallace from Kilkerley who was there to support her daughter-inlaw Carol and it was an absolutely fantastic exhibition and the pictures were really lovely.

I then met up with Rebecca McDonald from Knockbridge who was with her mum Patricia and her grandad Paddy McCourt from Fatima who had a number on show, his daughters Fiona Shields from Brid-a-crin and Sheila Traynor from Bay Estate and a special arrival, granddaughter Amy Sirbu who was down from Dublin specially for the exhibition.

I then headed over for a word with Eva Carolan from Lordship and Linda Halpenny from Carlingford who were there to support their mum Angela Sheelan from Lordship who was also prolific when it came to the paintings because she too had three lovely pieces on show.

After this I headed over for a quick word with Micheal Treanor from Blackrock who told me his mum Brigid from St. Furseys Terrace was there and she had two on show and he was well impressed with her work.

Not too long later I got a word with former staff member Margaret Marley from Castlebellingham who told me she thought the venue was ideal for showing off the exhibition, compact and bijou Margaret!

Finally, before I departed I got a word with Ian Morgan from Mooreland Road who was there with his mum Mary Morgan from Mooreland Road who had two on show and Ian said he was very impressed with the exhibition, the art work and the organisation.

For a change, this exhibition is open to the public and runs until Saturday November 12 and is definitely, definitely, definitely work a viewing.