Sandra and Mary sure have a Great ARTitude

THE success of Doneraile’s first arts festival this Summer prompted two local artists to set up their own gallery which opened officially at the weekend.

Living up to the name of their gallery, Great Artitude, both Mary St Leger and Sandra Sheehan decided that they were going to open their own gallery such was the local arts and craft talent in the Doneraile area.

Cllr. Kay Dawson performed the official opening, and Cllr. Pat Hayes, Cllr. Deirdre O’Brien and Cllr. Liam Madden were also in attendance along with many of the gallery’s resident artists and craftspeople. Gallery co-founders Sandra Sheehan and Mary St. Leger were delighted with the support.

“We’re both artists and we have experienced the frustration of trying to find galleries in which to exhibit our works,” said co-founder Sandra Sheehan.

“We are also aware that there’s an awful lot of arts and craft talent in the Doneraile area and we want to make sure that this has a platform.”

The doors are open almost a month and currently the gallery is staging its first solo exhibition by Alison Barry and other exhibitions are scheduled including one of new work by Marian Ahern.

Stocking a range of crafts including fused glass, felted craft work and wood turnings, local mother and daughter team, the Two Green Witches, also supply a range of natural hair and body products.

Naturally the work of both Mary and Sandra is also on display and for sale in the gallery.

The Great ARTitude gallery on Main St in Doneraile. At the official opening of Great ARTitude last Saturday were, from left: Cllr. Liam Madden, gallery co-founder Sandra Sheehan, Cllr. Deirdre O’Brien, gallery co-founder Mary St. Leger, Cllr. Kay Dawson and Cllr. Pat Hayes.

Gallery founders Sandra Sheehan and Mary St. Leger with a selection of the artists & crafts people represented by Great ARTitude.

Artists Sherlyn Coleman (Ballyhea) and Marian Ahern (Mallow) at the official opening of Great ARTitude.

Woodturner Hugh Garret with Dawn Fleming of Two Green Witches Natural Skincare at the opening.

Helen Palmer & George St. Leger at the official opening.

Group at the ‘Prosecco and Paint’ event at Great ARTitude, Doneraile held on Culture Night. LEFT: Cllr. Pat Hayes & Dana Hayes at the official opening of new art gallery Great ARTitude

Cllr. Kay Dawson & Cllr. Pat Hayes at the official opening