Fabulous art exhibition opens in Mitchelstown
On Wednesday of this week, the Kilbehenny Art Group launched their exhibition in Mitchelstown Library, writes Marian Roche.
The collection of work, encompassing different styles, tastes and landscapes, captures the imagination. The chatter and gasps of delight at the launch on seeing the work exhibited, speaks for itself.
Catching the eye is a painting of an owl - the responsibility of Burncourt’s Breeda Fitzgerald. Eileen, working in the library, attests that every child who comes in is immediately drawn to it!
The group create their work at the Kilbehenny Community Centre under the tutelage of Deirdre Dunne. Mary Fitzgerald, a new member of the group from Killavullen, doesn’t have any work on display in the library - yet.
Gesturing to the wall, she says she’s ‘aspiring’ to this level.
“I’ve gone along three nights and it’s amazing. I’ve done a bit of a horse next to a fence, and I have to say - and I have gotten a lot of help! - but it’s very respectable. You go in sometimes and you’re not in the form, and you think ‘oh what am I doing here’, but then your brain kind of ‘does’ something, and you just relax into it and enjoy it,” Mary said.
Likening it to a form of meditation, Mary talks about how in school one isn’t encouraged to undertake art unless one has an obvious aptitude for it, but that given space and time, it’s wonderful what someone can create and has it in them.
Bernadette Hussey agrees with the relaxing nature of the class. “I found I lost myself completely. There’s a real camaraderie too.”
Despite what the photos may lead you to believe, even though the current cohort are all female, men are more than welcome to join too and wield their paintbrushes. The exhibition is on display and free to view in Mitchelstown Library throughout the month of March.
The group in Kilbehenny come from a wide catchment area, and anyone looking to get involved is asked to contact Deirdre on 0857844305, or visit her on deirdredunne.weebly. com.