Blackwater Valley artists to blaze a trail through Fermoy
LOCAL businesses in Fermoy town will be doing their part on Culture Night through an ‘ Adopt An Artist’ initiative that will run at locations throughout the town from 5pm.
The Blackwater Makers Arts Trail will see premises across the town host exhibitions across a wide variety of disciplines, showcasing original pieces by a range of locally based artists and craftspeople.
The trail is the brainchild of the newly formed Blackwater Valley Makers, a collective of locally based artisans who have come together to highlight the sheer depth and scope of artistic talent that exists locally.
Spokesperson Suzanne O’Sullivan said all members have studios in and around Fermoy and the wider Blackwater Valley.
“It was all too often the case that as individual artists we were ploughing a very lonely furrow and felt that by coming together to promote our work through a single forum, we could highlight the huge pool of talented artists living and working in the area,” said Ms O’Sullivan.
“Our members include jewellers; glass artists; ceramicists; textile artists; furniture makers and designers; visual artists; wood-turners; and carvers. Our aim is to bring together the very best in original craft and artwork and make it more accessible to the local community,” she added.
The Blackwater Makers Art Trail, which is being held in conjunction with Fermoy Forum, will offer people the chance to see original works and get an insight into the creative process. Starting at the AIB banking hall, the trail will meander on to Hanna’s before visiting Barber’s Jewellers, where Simon Barber will demonstrate how he creates his stunning pieces. Talented wood-turner Charley McCarthy and award-winning glass artist Ms O’Sullivan will give demonstrations at the Heron Cafe.
“Other artists including John O’Shea will be giving demonstrations along the trail, and others will be holding workshops, including Lucy Phelan, who will be showing people how to make their own visual diaries,” said Ms O’Sullivan. “There will also be exhibitions at the Fermoy Youth Centre and Grand Hotel. We hope that people will join us on the evening, enjoy some amazing pieces of art and help us in our aim of promoting and encouraging the arts locally.”