Artisans unveil latest exhibition
ON Tuesday night I headed for the Louth County Library for the launch of the Artisans Art Exhibition which boasts over 45 pieces on show and 20 of the 30 artists involved with the group exhibiting. The night was packed with supporters, well wishers and artists to make it one of the best I’ve been at in quite some time.
After getting there, I caught up with group chairperson Colleen Hardy from Mount Avenue who wanted the thank the County Library for the use of their facilities and went on to say that even though they have a core of 30 artists, any new recruits are always welcome, they meet in the Carol Meade Hall in Pearse Park on Fridays between 7.30pm and 9.30pm all year round.
I wasn’t too long in the door when I met up with Colin, Rebekah, Mia and newest addition to the Berrill family from Dromintee, young Bowie Berrill who were all there to support granny Marie Berrill from Oaklawns who had five pieces on show and they were extremely impressed with the quality of work they had seen so far.
Just in the door were Paddy Donnelly and Billy Doyle Chairperson and CEO from Dundalk Credit Union who were there to officially open the exhibition. Paddy said he was very impressed with the amazing talent on show and had even noticed some of his former colleagues from the LCC who were showing their work too. He too was delighted that the CU were associated with the group and particularly liked the location as the Library is so well designed to use the best of natural light and all I could do was agree with him.
Making my way through the crowds I then caught up with Charlie Flynn from Legion Avenue who was with her wife Frances and daughter Frances from Wolfe Tone Terrace. Both ladies were hugely impressed with his work and after I mentioned I’d seen him as part of Billy Doyle and Paddy Donnelly from Dundalk Credit Union, who officially opened the exhibition.
the photographic society too he said that they are two different mediums and one can sometimes compliment the other.
Not too long later I got a word with committee member Pat Cooling from Bay Estate who was responsible for the four Beatles watercolours and told me that now he has retired he is really enjoying his painting. He was there with wife Bridie and daughter Sonya and Jacqueline who were busy checking out the paintings.
I headed over for a chat with artisan members Susan O’Connor from Stonetown who hadn’t anything in this year’s show but was there to support Olive Duffy from Channonrock who was showing one piece and they were definitely enjoying the evening.
After this I had the pleasure
of meeting up with Mary Donnelly from Belfry Gardens and Jackie Curran from Lis Na Dara who had absolutely nothing to do with the Credit Union, but said they told me they though the exhibition was a fantastic achievement, a great collection of paintings with plenty of diverse themes.
aking my way through the crowds I then got a word with Anne Quinn from Blackrock, Mary Murphy from Greenacres and Rita Woods from Dublin Road who were there to support Pat Cooling, Marie Hayes and Gina Clarke who are all part of the Redemptorist Choir
Beside them I caught up with Gina, Marie and Phyllis Devlin from Cluan Enda who wanted to thank their fellow choir members for their support and to remind me they can all
be heard during 11 mass in the Redemptorist church each and every Sunday morning.
After this I got talking to Angela Costantino from Glenwood and Marian Larkin from Blackrock who had two pieces on show and the ladies were really impressed with the way the pieces had seen shown.
I then got mesmerised by two pencil sketches one of Sam Smith and one of Shane Filan which were exceptional. I met up with David Coleman from Knockbridge who told me his wife Louise had drawn them, they really are excellent.
Finally, before I departed I got talking to Aileen McBride from Kilcurry who was there to support Collen and Freda and certainly wasn’t disappointed by them or any of the other artists on show.