Art is a ubiquitous part of our lives, whether through education, advertising or even fashion. Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa is one of the most recognisable images on the planet and there are few people who can’t bring Van Gogh’s eponymous Sunflowers to mind when asked. But despite our daily contact with art and familiarity with ‘high’ art – there can be a certain apprehension associated with getting involved in art on both a personal and local level. The people of Athenry, Co. Galway have taken the steps in breaking down that barrier. The East Galway Artist’s Network officially opened the doors of its Art Exhibition and Artist’s Trail with various exhibits around the town on Friday August 8th.
The Artists Trail Gallery, with a sign constructed by Donnacha Cahill
The endeavor has created an exhibition that highlights the talent available even at a local level and also the importance of fostering that talent, offering opportunities for artists to share their work. Spear-headed by Arts Officer Máire Daly and with artists such as Donnacha Cahill taking part, the exhibition opened to a packed house, with a huge number of people arriving to support the new artist’s venture . The room radiated with fun and life and passion, where camera shutters clicked and patrons admired the intense and varied works around them.
Red Riding Hood and Snow Queen by Kathy Ross
From abstract pieces that baffled and inspired conversation about their secret meanings to varied landscapes and fairytale characters, the exhibition, in the words of one impressed attendant, “Had something for everyone.” Peppered around the room were Donnacha Cahill‘s beautiful and imaginative sculptures. Children and adults alike were entranced by the surreal figures that looked as though they were ripped straight out of dreams. Although the elephant wasn’t the only one on stilts that evening. Attended by two beautiful and ethereal stilt walkers, there was a real sense of carnival and occasion in the former Ladbrokes building. Children milled around in the company of parents and patrons who themselves wore a fabulous assortment of colour that was only outshone by the vibrancy of the characters that wore them. The invention and creativity that permeated the exhibition was full of inspiration and made me leave the exhibition wishing for a brush or a pencil to create something new myself.
Stilt walking through the crowds
The organizers called to mind the vision of the building owners who were hosting both the exhibition and the various works in the Artists Trail. Their support has made this exhibition possible, and, equally as important has paved the way for similar endeavors in the future. East Galway Artists Network aims to connect and support individuals from visual arts, theatre, music, film, and literature in the east Galway area.
Nurturing t of the arts on a local level is only ever to be encouraged. The importance of demystifying art to the wider public is just one of the the beliefs held by the East Galway Artists Network. Given the amount of people who attended the opening, they are well on the way to realizing that vision.
Dancing at Dusk
The exhibition continues in The Art Trail Gallery (beside The Square Inn, Cross Street). Exhibition open from 11am-5pm Mon-Sat. Late opening 5pm-8pm Friday 15th Aug- Sun 17th Aug & runs until Friday 22nd August. It’s well worth the drive.
Fit for the Fly Leaves 
Worth what drive? A few people actually live in Athenry!
Unfortunately for me I don’t – so I had to drive to get there myself. But I also have followers who would be from the Galway area but not specifically Athenry and I wanted to recommend the journey to them. For the lucky folks who live in Athenry the exhibition is right on their doorsteps and I would absolutely recommend they check it out too!
Fabulous post. The opening night was spectacular, as for the pieces, all home grown, Amazing, I’ve been in three times so far and plan a few more visits. Still trying to figure out a few pieces!!