‘Matchbox’ sparks imaginations

MIX AND MATCH Artists submitting work to the annual eclectic Westport Arts Festival exhibition in McGing’s are busy ruminating on the theme ‘Matchbox’. Pic: Breda Burns

Ciara Moynihan

The annual  kaleidoscopic art exhibition in McGing’s Bar, Westport, is among Westport Arts Festival’s most-loved events. In the convivial atmosphere of the popular pub, art truly does become a talking point. For the duration of the show, patrons can be seen slowly moving around the walls, drink in hand, quietly contemplating or loudly proclaiming the worth of the temporary adornments.
An open invitation is sent out each year to artists and creative types, inviting them to submit a small artwork along a specified theme. This year’s call has just gone out, and the chosen theme for the 2016 group show is ‘Matchbox’.
Works of all kinds, including paintings, drawings, prints, photographs, videos and sculptures, are welcome, so long as they incorporate matchboxes – one, a few or many.  “McGing’s lends itself to to small intimate pieces,” the organisers explain, “so all artworks should be no larger than 30cm in any dimension, including the frame if there is one.”
Submissions should be delivered to Custom House Studios, The Quay, Westport, no later than Saturday, September 17. The work must be labelled ‘Matchbox’ and the following information should be supplied: the artist’s name, phone number and email; the title of the work; the medium used; the price (including 20 percent commission of sales, which goes to Westport Arts Festival). Selected artists will be notified by September 25 by email.
The official opening will take place at McGing’s Bar, High Street, at 10pm on the festival’s opening night, Wednesday, September 28.

‘Matchbox’ is coordinated by artists GrΡinne O’Reilly, Caroline Masterson and Breda Burns. For more information, email westportartsfestivalartcall@gmail.com.