Tonight (Tuesday 14th May) saw the opening of Havens of Light at Emporium 11, Dun Laoghaire’s newest art gallery.  The exhibition was opened by Cllr. Stephen Fitzpatrick.

Gallery Owner Daniel Lynch, Leas-Cathaoirleach Stephen Fitzpatrick and Artist Michael Palmer at the exhibition opening (photo Liam Madden)

Havens of Light is a series of works by Artist Michael Palmer celebrating light – la luc. These paintings, using the medium of acrylic, are imbued with it, bursting out with colour. According to Palmer, we are all like boats seeking out havens in the storms of life, and maritime scenes feature largely in this exhibition.

Curator Tony Strickland and Artist Michael Palmer at the exhibition opening (photo Liam Madden)

The exhibition continues until Saturday 18th May.

Artist Eadaoin Harding Kemp at the exhibition opening

Currently showing in 2020 Art Gallery, North Mall, Cork is an exhibition of new work inspired by the abundant Irish countryside.  The work is by Eadaoin Harding Kemp. “Spring is synonymous with new life and light. Nature bursts from hibernation. ‘Out of the Darkness’ expresses just this sentiment.”

Margaret O’Connor, Cork City; Anne O’Neill, Clonakilty and Christel Uhl, Castlefreake at the exhibition opening

The exhibition continues until May 25th.

Today (Thursday 18th April) the Irish Museum of Modern Art launched their programme for 2013 from their temporary home in Earlsfort Terrace.  The director of IMMA, Sarah Glennie outlined the upcoming exhibitions and  developments for the coming year.

IMMA will fully reopen at the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham on October 12th with four exhibitions.  To coincide with the reopening, IMMA Collection online will be launched with all the artworks in the IMMA collection.

There will also be an extensive Education and Community Programme.

In the meantime there will be a number of exhibitions and events.

IMMA Director Sarah Glennie (Photo Liam Madden)

We were afterwards treated to a tour of the exhibition I knOw yoU which opens tomorrow.  The tour was given by the entertaining and knowledgeable Prof. Nikolaus Hirsch who curated the show.  He was helped along the way by artist and fellow curator Tobias Rehberger.

Curator Prof. Nikolaus Hirsch (Photo Liam Madden)

Thomas Zipp, POLYMORPHOUS ORATORY, 2012, mixed media, Dimensions variable (Photo Liam Madden)

For more information on the Irish Museum of Modern Art: IMMA.

The exhibition I knOw yoU runs from 19 April – 1 September 2013, Admission Free.

Sky Arts are searching across the UK and Ireland for an inspiring and talented artist who can
be crowned Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year.

The winner will join a select group of distinguished artists who may be considered for a future project by the Gallery, and will be awarded a £10,000 commission to paint double-Booker and Costa Award-winning author Hilary Mantel for The British Library. The painting of Mantel will be displayed at The British Library and become part of its permanent art collection. They will also receive a years’ supply of art materials courtesy of leading fine art supplier Cass Art.

Four heats will take place at free art festivals in London, Dublin, Glasgow and Cardiff over the summer 2013. At these festivals, participants will be challenged to produce a portrait of one of three sitters, and will receive help and advice from a panel of expert judges. At the end of each heat the judges will choose the artist they believe to be the most talented to go through to the final. The
Judges will be Kathleen Soriano, Director of Exhibitions of the Royal Academy of Arts, renowned portrait artist Tai Shan Schierenberg and Kate Bryan, Head of Contemporary at The Fine Art Society. There will be a number of leading artists acting as mentors throughout the series including Jonathan Yeo.

Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year is a competition open to professional and amateur artists. Participants will be able to seek advice from some of the top names in the art world and the series finalists will see their work displayed in the National Portrait Gallery.

Entry details and requirements can be found at www.sky.com/portrait.

An exhibition of work by Ray Tsang opened last week in the Balla Bán Gallery, Westbury Mall, Dublin.

Timmy from dublintown.ie, Artist Ray Tsang and Liam Madden from Irish Art News at the exhibition opening (Photo Frank O’Dea)

Although he has a formal education in painting Ray Tsang is largely self taught. He mostly draws inspiration from the modern impressionists of America. He aims for his paintings to tell a story as well as being visually pleasing. In 2004 he was the recipient of the “Taylor Art Award”.

Artist Ray Tsang with Alyssa Rohan who modeled for this oil painting on canvas entitled “The Lemon Tree” (Photo Liam Madden)

The exhibition continues until the end of April.

This evening (Friday April 5th)  saw the launch of the Chamber of Arts Heritage & Culture in the Dalkey Heritage Centre.  This initiative is the brainchild of Audrey McKenna of the Kingston Music School in Dalkey. The main idea of the chamber is to link the business focused members of a Chamber of Commerce with people who are involved in Arts Heritage and Culture.

Neil Keenan dlr Chamber President  (centre), Audrey McKenna (second from left) and musicians at the Launch

Neil Keenan President of the DLR Chamber of commerce officially launched the initiative.  This was followed by words from Audrey McKenna who outlined her vision of the initiative and Tim O’Connor from the Gathering who pointed out the impact of the Irish “where Wall Street meets Broadway”.

Audrey McKenna at the launch of Chamber of Culture

We were then treated to a performance of a piece of music composed by Sam Kavanagh specially commissioned for the event.

Tim O’Connor of The Gathering at the Launch

For more information have a look at chamberofculture.ie.

Artist Alan Clarke, Linda Moran and Maria Corbett from Crow & Fig at the exhibition opening

There was a great Buzz in Oliveta last night (April 4th) for the opening of Alan Clarke‘s exhibition – “Dreams Dreamed with Open Eyes“. The show contains a variety of darkly whimsical illustrations and paintings. This is the first exhibition in this newly launched art space.

The exhibition continues until May 31st in Oliveto in the Kingston Hotel, Dun Laoghaire.  For more information see www.mralanclarke.com or www.crowandfig.com .

Last month saw the opening night of the renovated Duke Street Gallery. Crowds gathered and moved between the gallery’s two floors to view ‘The Exhibition of Irish Art’, which featured the latest works by Marie Carroll, Graham Knuttel, Tom Byrne, Joby Hickey and George Dunne, all of whom were in attendance. Also on view were works from Irish Artists Markey Robinson, Patrick Collins, Alex McKenna, Annie Robinson, Olivier Longuet, Clare Hartigan, Ken Hamilton amongst others.

Artists George Dunne, Tom Byrne, Graham Knuttel and Joby Hickey at the opening (photo Hazel Coonagh)

Also in attendance were the Ambassadors of Russia, Finland, South Africa and Mexico as well as the Minister and Consular Head of Argentina alongside a number of gallery curators.

Graham Knuttel adding his personal touch

The exhibition will run until June 15th.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore giving the speech at the launch of the Dublin Painting and Sketching Club Annual Exhibition (photo Liam Madden)

Last night (Tuesday March 26th) saw the launch of the Dublin Painting and Sketching Club Annual Exhibition in European House, Dawson Street in Dublin.  This is the 135th exhibition to be staged by the Dublin Painting & Sketching Club, a national artists’ organisation and one of Ireland’s oldest.

Club secretary Pat McGloughlin (left) with Carol and Joe McKenna (photo Liam Madden)

In celebration of Ireland’s EU presidency this year, a number of paintings in the exhibition have been specially created with a European dimension. These will include streetscapes of European cities and towns, rural landscapes, paintings of historical sites or places of interest etc.

Artists Paul Kavanagh, Vincent Lambe and George Corcoran at the exhibition launch (photo Liam Madden)

The exhibition will take place from Mon. 8th April to Sun. 21st April in the Concourse Gallery Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Hall, Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore with Sarah Gates and Ian Whyte of Whytes (photo Liam Madden)

Yesterday (21st March) Shay Healy and Tommy Fleming were on hand to launch Ireland’s first Rock & Pop Memorabilia Auction and “Musical Chairs” – an auction of chairs personalised by themselves as well as by Imelda May, Nick Seymour, James Morrison and Daniel O’Donnell.  The chairs are being auctioned in aid of the Mayo branch of the  Irish Parkinson’s Association.

Shay Healy plays lot 124 – “The Rolling Stones: Autographed Fender Stratocaster Squier guitar”

The Rock & Pop Memorabilia Auction features a collection of recordings, autographs, photographs, tickets, passes, and other scarce and rare memorabilia from Elvis Presley, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Phil Lynott & Thin Lizzy and many other Rock and Pop legends.

Tommy Fleming poses with his autographed chair.

Viewing: Friday 22 March 1pm-9pm; Saturday 23 March 11am-7pm; Sunday 24 March (day of sale) 10am-1pm.
Venue: RDS Minerva Suite (beside Main Hall, Merrion Road). Admission by catalogue, price €10 (admits 2).

For more information see www.whytes.ie or Irish Parkinson’s Association.

Axis Balymun are offering readers of the Irish Art Blog a chance to win a meal for two followed by tickets for  ‘Waiting for Elvis‘ -  a cracking comedy written by Eileen Gibbons based around two women who meet at a park bench waiting anxiously for Elvis to turn up. The show will be on from the 3rd to the 13th of April.

Waiting for Elvis

The meal consists of main course, desert and glass of wine in the Axis Café at 6:30pm.  The show starts at 8pm.  To enter, send an email to lisa.cassidy@axisballymun.ie with the subject “Irish Art Blog Competition”.

Closing date for entries is March 31st.

Download their event guide.

Winners Anya Clarke Carr, Billy McCabe and Cara Taheny with RTE presenter Diana Bunici

Primary school students from every county in Ireland entered the annual art competition, which is devised by Sightsavers to encourage young people to engage with their creativity whilst learning to appreciate the importance of their own eyesight and the challenges faced by millions of visually impaired people in the developing world. The 16 winners were selected to make the exciting trip to Dublin to receive their prizes for reaching the final and to see if they would be crowned the overall Sightsavers Junior Painter Awards winner.

This year’s overall winner was Anya Clarke-Carr from Ratoath Senior National School, Co. Meath. Anya was awarded the top accolade for her wonderful creation, I Dream of Playing Piano in a Meadow of Daisies and Bunnies. Second and third place went to Billy McCabe from Castletown Kilpatrick National School, Co. Meath and Cara Taheny from Carn National School, Co. Sligo respectively.

Tomide Lawal from Ballyduff NS with John Fleming CEO Sightsavers and Miriam Cassidy from Art&Hobby

You can see the paintings in the historical Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, South William Street, Dublin in an exhibition until Sunday 3rd March.

Sightsavers is a registered Irish charity (Registered charity numbers CHY 15437) that works in more than 30 developing countries to prevent blindness, restore sight
and advocate for social inclusion and equal rights for people who are blind and visually impaired

For more information please visit www.sightsavers.ie,  www.faceboook.ie/SightsaversIreland,  twitter.com/@SightsaversIE

An exhibition by Stephen Gill has opened in the Arts and Disability Forum Gallery On Royal Ave., Belfast.  The exhibition “Around the Allotments” comprises a series of photographs of allotment sites and their owners in and around Belfast.

Stephen’s connection with allotments developed through photographing flowers and plants growing around the Reconnect Training Centre, near Castlereagh where he became involved as part of his recovery from a cardiac arrest in 2006 that left him with brain injury.  Photography was a way of regaining confidence lost as part of his illness.

Stephen Gill with a selection of his images from the “Around the Allotments” exhibition

After the exhibition in ADF, the exhibition is moving on to Lisburn Library.  Stephen would love to show his work  in Dublin  and is keen to hear from anyone who would be interested in mounting an exhibition.

Stephen Gill at the “Around the Allotments” exhibition

The exhibition runs in ADF until 7th March. The gallery is open Tuesday to Friday, 11am-3pm and admission is free. For more information see: www.adf.ie

Andy Warhol, ARTIST ROOMS National Galleries of Scotland and Tate. Acquired jointly through The d’Offay Donation with assistance from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Art Fund 2008. (Photo Liam Madden)

A major exhibition of the work of one of the world’s most famous artists, Andy Warhol opens on the 8th February in the MAC in Belfast.  The exhibition will include popular imagery from some of Warhol’s most famous works including Chairman Mao, Hamburger, cow wallpaper and references to Studio 54.

Artwork: Andy Warhol, ARTIST ROOMS National Galleries of Scotland and Tate. Acquired jointly through The d’Offay Donation with assistance from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Art Fund 2008. (Photo Liam Madden)

There will also be a whole season of Warhol-inspired events taking place at the MAC to coincide with the exhibition:

• 13 Most Beautiful… – 16 February, 7.45PM, Downstairs at the MAC
• Studio 54 – 2 March, 9.00PM, Downstairs at the MAC
• Le Carousel – 8 March, 9.30PM, Upstairs at the MAC
• Gob Squad’s Kitchen – 28-29 March, 7.45PM, Downstairs at the MAC

Artwork: Andy Warhol, ARTIST ROOMS National Galleries of Scotland and Tate. Acquired jointly through The d’Offay Donation with assistance from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Art Fund 2008. (Photo Liam Madden)

The Warhol season at the MAC runs from 8 Feb – 28 April 2013. The exhibition opens daily from 10am-7pm and is free of charge.  For more information see: www.themaclive.com.

The Musical Youth Foundation is a children’s charity which is working to provide every child on the island of Ireland with access to a musical education.

Instrumental Art Raffle Prizes

As part of its fund raising they are running a raffle with 10 prizes of musical instrument art.  The works are by the following artists: Russell Healy, Kevin Bohan, Anne McGill, Aga Szot, NRD Anderson, Eszter Hatala, John Kirwan, Jill Castillo, Sandra Schoene and HEID. Tickets cost only €3. Purchase tickets by clicking here.

Artist Anne McGill with her Guitar

Philomena Lynott with Aga Szot’s work “Philo” valued at €1,850.

All proceeds go to The Musical Youth Foundation (CHY#18624).

Dallamullóg is a show involving the Irish art community and features some of Ireland’s best known artists such as Cliodna Cussen and Peadar Lamb as they take an apprentice under their wing and set about creating a piece of art.

Art Mentor Liam De Frinse

Each episode will follow the fate of an ordinary tradesperson as they transfer their skills to the art studio in order to create a piece of art which will be assessed by a critic. The tradespeople will be mentored by a renowned Irish artists including the likes of Cliodna Cussen, Peadar Lamb and Turner nominated painter Liam De Frinse.

Art Critic Ciaran Bennett

‘Dallamullóg’ starts Sunday 13th December at 8:30pm on TG4. It will run for six weeks and is repeated at 11:30pm on the following Tuesday night.

Temple Bar Gallery + Studios is one of the first artist-led initiatives in Ireland.In the past 30 years, the studios at Temple Bar Gallery + Studios have been home to over 1000 artists, and the work of hundreds more have been exhibited in the gallery on Temple Bar Square.

Temple Bar Gallery + Studios

Temple Bar Gallery + Studios was founded by a radical group of artists in 1983 in a disused factory building in Dublin’s Temple bar.  It was instrumental in establishing the area’s reputation as a cultural hub and contributing to its regeneration as Dublin’s Cultural Quarter.

Temple Bar Gallery + Studios

To mark the 30^th anniversary of Temple Bar Gallery + Studios in 2013, plans are now afoot for a programme of new artistic commissions, a major public art work, a cross border collaboration and publication which will be produced specially to mark the milestone. TBG+S will release full details of its artistic programme in January 2013 in a themed “Generation” year.

Jack And Jill Egg Hunt

Easter 2013 will see the biggest & most interactive public art display Ireland has ever seen.  For 40 days and 40 nights a collection of 100 exquisite fiberglass egg sculptures will overtake the streets of Dublin and other locations around Dublin and together become the country’s biggest ever egg hunt. Displayed in iconic outdoor locations and high profile venues, each egg will become a treasure to be discovered by the public.

100 leading artists, fashion designers, architects and jewellers, are coming together to create this collection of unique eggs, each one standing at 2 ½ foot. Already on board are Guggi, Orla De Bri, Graham Knuttel, John Rocha, Phelim Egan, Rasher, Deborah Donnelly and some Irish celebrities too.

Irish artist Rasher with Egg

The hunt will culminate with two auctions, each one an event in itself, raising funds for The Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation. The money raised will be used to provide nursing care and support for children with severe neurological development issues, as well as offering some respite to the parents and families.

What it means for you the Artist

You will be given a 2.5 ft. 3–dimensional fiberglass egg, which will become one of 100 unique creations on public display. For 6 weeks your egg will be a part of a dynamic statement that will culminate in two auctions, each one an event in itself, raising funds for The Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation.

In  return  for  giving  your  valuable  time  and  talent,  you  can  expect:

• 10% commission of Egg auction price achieved
• Exposure in Nationwide Press for your creation and profile
• Your name prominently displayed on the plinth, websites, and associated material and your personal biog in the Artist’s manual .
• A public location for your creation for the duration of the project
• A  unique  canvas  and  platform  for  your  work
• An  opportunity  to  make  a  significant  contribution to  writing the  history  of  this  generation,  and  improving  the  story  of  the next

Key Dates:

November (mid) Big Egg Hunt Press Pre-Launch
January (mid) DEADLINE: Completion of Egg Sculptures with varnish applied
January (mid) DEADLINE: Artist Biography provided by artists
January (mid) Official Photographs of the eggs
February 12th Pancake Tuesday – Launch event
February 12th Eggs take to the streets. Let the hunt begin!
March  Public viewing week (eggs nestle together in one location)
March  Online auction. Bidding opens online
March 22nd GRAND AUCTION –  A Black Tie Event where the top 20 eggs will be auctioned at a Gala Dinner.
March 31st Online auction close

If you are interested in being involved please email Hannah bigegghunt@gmail.com

Luan Gallery, Athlone

Today (Thursday 29th November 2012) saw the opening of the first new public art gallery in Ireland in over two years.

Luan Gallery, Athlone

The new contemporary art gallery was officially opened in Athlone by Jimmy Deenihan T.D., Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Luan Gallery is the first purpose-built, municipal visual art gallery located in the midlands. The aim of the new space, run by Athlone Art and Heritage Ltd., is to promote a dynamic contemporary visual art programme of both established and emerging artists.

Minister for the Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan TD , Architect Keith Williams, Nicky McFadden TD, Mayor of Athlone Jim Henson and Miriam Mulrennan Manager Athlone Art & Heritage which runs the gallery.

Catriona McCormack, one of the volunteers helping out at the opening

The Luan Gallery ‘s first exhibition features work of acclaimed Irish and International artists from the Irish Museum of Modern Art’s (IMMA) permanent collection.

Entry to the exhibition is free.

GBP£30,000 bursary on offer to artists aged 18-30
Sky Arts Ignition: Futures Fund advice and networking event
Wednesday 21 November, 2.00pm – 4.30pm
The Abbey Theatre on the Peacock Stage

Previous briefing session

Business to Arts, in association with Sky Arts and IdeasTap are hosting an advice session for anyone who wants to apply for the GBP£30,000 Sky Arts Ignition: Futures Fund bursary. In the next round, the funding will be awarded to five individual creative artists between 18 and 30 years of age.

This briefing session aimed at artists in any discipline aged 18-30, will provide advice on building a creative career, help with the Sky Arts Ignition: Futures Fund application process and a chance to meet other like-minded creatives. You’ll also have the opportunity to put your questions to a Futures Fund ambassador and current winner, both successful artists in their own right.

By attending these sessions, you can find out firsthand what the judges of the Sky Arts Ignition: Futures Fund are looking for.

Book your ticket here.