ART Visual treats in Castlebar and Westport

Visual treats in Castlebar and Westport


‘Some of These Places’, an exhibition of recent paintings in oil and egg tempera on linen by Scottish artist Olivia Irvine, continues at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar for the month of February.
In the artist’s own words, in her works, “pattern, colour and gesture play as much a part as ideas and narrative, as the dynamics of the picture-making process itself throw up choices and surprises. I feel this approach, which mixes fantasy, memory and reality, better reflects how I feel about the psychological issues of place, identity and autobiography. Although these are deeply personal paintings, because they are not specific I hope that they will open the door to the viewer’s own imagination.” Since 2000, Olivia has exhibited widely in Scotland, England, Spain and the USA. The exhibition runs until Saturday, February 23.
‘The Missing Spark’, an exhibition of paintings by fourth-year Art & Design students from GMIT Castlebar Campus is also running in the Linenhall Arts Centre Foyer until Saturday, February 23. The exhibition was instigated and co-ordinated by Seamus Burke, a sufferer of Multiple Sclerosis, who is also currently a Fine Art Degree student in his fourth year at GMIT Castlebar. Seamus has been involved with the arts for over 30 years, and has designed and facilitated many art projects for people with learning and associated disabilities.
He explains: “The Missing Spark is a visual record of the emotions I have experienced after my job was recently terminated as a result of my MS condition. My colleagues in the GMIT have also interpreted their vision of the theme on canvas for this exhibition.” Proceeds from the exhibition go to the local branch of the MS Society.
A third exhibition at the Linenhall showcases photographs by Castlebar-based professional photographer Alison Laredo. Located in the Linenhall Arts Centre’s Print Gallery, ‘Live at the Linenhall’ captures some of the unforgettable performances that make up the venue’s programme of events. The exhibition that will continue to grow throughout the years.

Custom House Studios
‘Let it Roll’ opens at the Custom House Studios in Westport, this Thursday, February 21, at 7.30pm. A touring exhibition of work by Western Care service users and GMIT Castlebar Fine Art students in association with the Linenhall Arts Centre, it was created to mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2012.
Colourful, imaginative and celebratory, the exhibition features work in a variety of media including glass, felt and paint, and involved three months of collaboration during which the participants came up with a theme and body of work for exhibition. The group of ten were facilitated by the Linenhall’s Community Arts Team of Breda Burns, Jodi Coyne, Marian McHale and Patricia Halligan. The exhibition continues at the Custom House Studios until Monday, March 18.

The Linenhall Gallery, Castlebar, is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm and Saturdays from 11am to 5.30pm. The Gallery at Custom House Studios, Westport, is open weekdays from 10am to 5pm, and on weekends and holidays from 1pm to 4.30pm.