ST OLIVER’S ART GROUP OPEN THEIR EXHIBITION
On Friday night I headed for St. Olivers Day Centre where there ‘Seasons and Scenes’ the annual exhibition of paintings from the St. Olivers Art Group and a huge crowd had turned out specially for the occasion.
The evening is run by art teacher Carol Wallace from The Crescent along with the local branch of the Vincent De Paul and with over 80 paintings on show, many have been copied and made into Christmas cards as a fundraiser for the charity.
I was only in the door when I met up with my old friends Lily and Jimmy Fitzgerald from St. Alphonsus Road who were representing the V.DeP. and were enjoying the company of Paddy Fee from Louth Village who told me they thought the work on the walls was nothing short of fabulous and a credit to the painters and their teacher.
Next I caught up with Frances O’Dowda from Ravensdale who had a seasonal painting on the wall and was there on the night with a very proud daughter Maeve Donald also from Ravensdale. Frances also told me how much she enjoys Carol’s classes.
I then headed over for a chat with Sheila Black from Blackrock who was with husband Paul, daughter Sharon from Woodbury Gardens, her daughter Chloe, Sharon’s sister Grainne McCreesh from Gibbstown, Jason Thompson from Kingswood and kids Lauryn-Aimee and Matthew who were hugely impressed with the exhibition and Sheila told me that the classes are great and Carol is a fantastic teacher.
Two ladies who were extremely busy on the night were Margaret O’Callaghan and Mary Carroll who are nurses there and told me they thought the paintings are absolutely lovely.
Not too far away I then got talking to Philomena Martin from Medebawn who had two pieces on show and was there with daughter Philomena Fagan from Bay Estate who were very impressed with way the exhibition was looking and told me that Carol’s class and just lovely.
Making my way over to another table I then got talking to Roisin Bradley and Maria McGuinness both from Muirhevnamor who were there to support Louise Gilbert from The Haven and Barbara Crossley from Emer Terrace who told me that the exhibition was lovely and a real credit to all the artists.
Next I met up with Éabha Murphy from Ravensdale and Katie McCarthy from Avenue Road. Éabha said she just finished her work experience there and was delighted to be there for the exhibition. Katie, well she was looking forward to the chicken goujons, as we all were Katie!
Meanwhile over at another table I then met up with Marie Collins from Mount Avenue who had three pieces on show and was accompanied by her jet setting family with daughters Ciara Duffy home from Saudi Arabia, Siobhan Collins home from Kent with Eoin Hunt, Marie’s son Garreth Collins with Sarah and Jake (whom was Caroline Grant and Keyleigh Dullaghan, Muirhevnamor.
getting ready to head for Manchester to see United play Newcastle the following day) and they were all hugely impressed with Marie’s work.
After this I got a word with Brigid Keane from McSwiney Street who was being supported on the night by Anne Kane from Louth Village, Pauline Kane and daughter Aimee Starkie both from Doylesfort Grove and Colm Kane from Louth Village who were more than impressed with Brigid’s work on show.
Not too long later I met up with Myra Boyle from Point Road who had one of her pieces on show ad she was there with Moira and Jennifer Clarke from Bay Estate and George Boyle from Armagh Road who wanted to wish Carol all the best with a great night.
Next I got talking to Mary Morgan from Moreland Road who had two pieces on show and was being supported by son Ian Morgan from Mooreland and daughter Marie Morgan who had come over from Strasburg specially to be there with her mum.
After this I got a word with Briege Treanor from Blackrock who had there on show and told me she loved the classes and Carol is a wonder girl for all the great work she does. She was being supported by her son Micheal Treanor from Blackrock too.
Making my way over to another table I then got a word with David Ward from Muirhevnamor and Emma McLoughlin from Blackrock who were there to support Helen Ward from Blackrock who had three or four on show and was enjoying the company of Benny and Anne McLoughlin from Inniskeen who were more than impressed with Helen’s work.
Not too long after the speeches from Pat Daly and Liam Reilly from Vincent De Paul I then met up with John Mathews from Mill Stream who is the chairman of the Relatives Forum for St. Olivers and he was all praise for Carol and her artists at saying it’s another great exhibition for them.
After this I caught up with a man who had two of his pieces on show Barney Sharkey from Carrickrobin and was with wife May who told me it was a lovely night and Carol is a great teacher.
Not too long later I met up with Tommy and Gloria Parkin from Greenacres who were with Ann Hughes from Lisdoo who were there to support Nancy Watters from Oliver Plunkett Park and they thought it was a most enjoyable night.
Finally, before I departed I caught up with Tommy Wallace from the Crescent who was having a busy night helping out his mum Carol,