samhlaiocht_gallery

EXHIBITION OF NEW WORK BY ISABELLE GABORIT

2008-08-25T05:57:00.000-07:00

Isabelle Gaborit's 'Somewhere In Between' exhibition opens in Samhlaiocht, Thursday, September 4th

Tony Bennett's signature tune, I Left My Heart in San Francisco, speaks of the magical effect a place can have on a person and while Tony's heart was captured by the City by the Bay, many who visit Ireland experience the same feeling. Captivated by the beauty of the landscape or the beauty of the 'cailini' many a visitor has left their heart in Ireland!

One such visitor was Isabelle Gaborit who hails from La Rochelle in the South West of France. She visited Ireland, fell in love with the place, and stayed from the first! "I came to Ireland in 1993 on a student exchange from my college in France," says Isabelle. "But I came with my car fully packed because I knew I would love it and I have been here ever since!"

Her primary reason for visiting was to study English but she was also taking classes in Celtic Studies and has always had an interest in Art. "I was lucky, because while I was studying in France we were encouraged to take extra-curricular classes and I took Art. When I came to Ireland I found the place absolutely beautiful, just as I was expecting, and having graduated decided to dedicate myself to my Art."

Having completed her primary degree she remained in Ireland and since then she has become an active member of the artistic community and recently graduated from the Galway, Mayo Institute of Technology with an honours degree in Fine Art.

Isabelle is captivated by the landscape and her inspiration for this exhibition 'springs' from Holy Wells. "I once did a project called 'Sense of Place' that encouraged us, as Artists, to think about the place from where we come or the places that are dear to us," says Isabelle. "I'm inspired by the holy wells and ground waters of Ireland. They almost seem to record the relationship between the land and its people. The wells evoke a depth and stillness while also working as a reflection or mirror of the soul. The waters are gentle, soft and beautiful, but also there's a history to these places while many are legendary for their healing powers. So there are many different layers at work."

Her work mirrors this, "I use my art to explore these different layers," says Isabelle. "My work reminds me to look underneath, to unwrap the numerous layers and, hopefully, it allows the viewer a space in between, somewhere, perhaps, between reality and memory."

To this end her work uses a collage of objects which she has found while incorporating inks, watercolours, acrylics, pastels, and pencil drawings. "I guess my work is almost like a personal jigsaw," laughs Isabelle. "I deal with fragments of my own memory, things I have found and I try to work on different layers, planes or levels. The idea is to capture the eye of the viewer and draw him or her into the painting, into the different details in the work."

The paintings, which were completed between 2007 and 2008, became, almost, a mirror to the changing moods of the Artist and the many changing moods of Irish weather as the seasons passed, from winter to summer. The paintings reflect this passing with shades ranging from cool, cold tones to bright, cheerful splashes of colours.

Isabelle grew up next to the sea and admits to absolutely loving water but there may be just a little too much water for her here! "While I feel absolutely at home in Ireland, I have a two year old baby girl and a wonderful partner, I have to admit to sometimes missing the weather in the South of France," laughs Isabelle. "But at least the rain here keeps the holy wells full to brimming!"

The exhibition, which is titled 'Somewhere In Between', opens on Thursday, September 4th, and runs until Friday, September 26th, in the new Samhlaiocht Gallery which is located in the Old Presbytery on Lower Castle Street in the heart of Tralee. The Gallery is open from 10 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, is free to visit and all are welcome.

For more information on Samhlaiocht please log on to http://www.samhlaiocht.com/

Samhlaiocht Exhibition is Rubbish!!

2008-07-30T04:01:00.000-07:00

Junk Art and Recycled Sculpture Competition and Exhibition to Open on August 7th

How often have you heard Art described as 'Rubbish'? Well in this instance, the opening of a new Exhibition in Samhlaiocht, the description is perfectly apt and, yet, as far from the truth as possible! The Exhibition titled, 'Don't Rubbish It', focuses on raising awareness of the creative potential of much of the rubbish that is thrown away on a daily basis. The challenge set to Artists was to create innovative art and sculpture from 'junk' materials that would, in the normal course of things, be thrown away.

The competition has been running for a few years now and the quality of the work and the number of entries received has continued to astound Jane Savage, one of the judges of the competition, and the lady charged with opening the exhibition in Samhlaiocht. "Sarah O' Brien, Michael O' Coilean, the Kerry County Council Environmental Awareness Officer, Paul Sherry, manager of the Killarney Outlet Centre, Tadgh Moriarty, manager of Killarney Summerfest and I were the judges of the competition. It was far too important a decision to leave to just one person!" laughs Jane.

The competition had four different categories for National Schools, Secondary Schools, Adults and Professional Artists and with the growing realisation of the importance of recycling and the environment the competition has certainly struck a chord across all age groups and categories with a wonderfully eclectic mix of Artwork. It also struck a chord amongst sponsors with The Kerryman, Astellas Ireland Ltd, Sport Corran Tuathail, KWD Recycling and Killarney Town Council Arts Committee climbing on board to offer a whole slew of prizes totalling over 4,000 euro in value!

"We're delighted the exhibition is coming to Samhlaiocht," said Trish Thompson, Samhlaiocht Gallery Coordinator. "I think it's hugely important that people become more environmentally aware and conscious of the decisions they make when it comes to reusing and recycling. Everyone can remember being children, getting lovely fancy toys, setting them aside and then having hours of fun playing in the box the toys came in! We should all try to rediscover that magic, and strive to ensure that absolutely nothing that can be used is carelessly discarded."

"I've always been environmentally conscious," adds Jane. "I live in Killarney on the outskirts of the National Park, one of the most beautiful locations in the whole county, if not the world, I love gardening, love the outdoors and this just ties so well into that."

Over twenty pieces were created for the competition all utilising materials that would otherwise have ended up in the bin and while one little competition is unlikely to change the world it is certainly proof that people are moving in the right direction.

"When we were young, my Mom used to chase after people and give out to them for littering," says Jane. "It used to embarrass me terribly. But I'm so proud of her now. And the funny thing is, she's still doing it and she's eighty eight years old!"

The exhibition opens on Thursday, August 7th, and runs until Friday, August 29th, in the new Samhlaiocht Gallery which is located in the Old Presbytery on Lower Castle Street in the heart of Tralee. The Gallery is open from 10 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, is free to visit and all are welcome.

For more information on Samhlaiocht please log on to http://www.samhlaiocht.com/

EXHIBITION OF NEW WORK BY EILEEN KENNEDY

2008-06-26T04:43:00.000-07:00

Eileen outside her studio in Ashgrove, Tralee

You sometimes hear an artist say they find art therapeutic and when you visit Eileen Kennedy's intimate little studio, it's easy to see why! Eileen, who is married to local music legend, James Kennedy, and has two children, Clare and Ciaran, has a delightful studio behind her house in Ashgrove in Tralee. Access to the studio is by way of a meticulously kept garden that features statues of the Buddha and is soothing to the senses from the first moment of entry.

"Before we built the studio, I used to paint in an upstairs bedroom and when I was preparing the dinner I'd move the easel down to the kitchen and place it next to the cooker," laughs Eileen, "so it's nice to have a space that's dedicated to Art."

Eileen, who is from Tralee originally, studied art at Crawford School of Art and Design where she was awarded Student of the Year by the Cork Arts Society. She is a born painter, sculptor and print-maker and finds inspiration in life but also in the tactile interaction with the materials she uses. In fact one of her earliest memories is of asking her grandfather to show her how to paint at the extraordinarily young age of two! "I love the freedom and sense of discovery every time I create something," she says, "and it's a feeling that I have loved for as long as I can remember."

And while Eileen works primarily from her painting studio at home she also travels to Cork Printmakers on a regular basis. Her work has been shown extensively in Ireland and she has exhibited in Belgium, China and right across the U.S.

One exhibition currently running in America was organised by Jimmy Deenihan, TD for Kerry North. The exhibition, titled, A Different Land: Irish Bogland Interpretations, opened in New York in March of this year at Magnan Projects and features Eileen's print, Windblown Cotton, as well as work from another 26 Irish artists. "Jimmy has been a huge help to me and many other Kerry artists," said Eileen, "not just for this but for all the work he puts into the annual art exhibition in Finuge, during The Sean McCarthy Weekend, and much more besides."

Another two of Eileen's prints were selected for a touring exhibition in the U.S., Prints from Ireland, and, as you read this, are on route to Hawaii!

Luckily, though, you won't have to go to Hawaii to view her prints, as an exhibition of her work will go on display at the new Samhlaiocht Gallery on Thursday, July 10th. The exhibition will be opened by Jimmy Deenihan. Eileen is no stranger to Samhlaiocht having exhibited at the gallery in 2004.

Paper Pool of Love. Watercolour by Eileen Kennedy

"Eileen's last show was a sell-out success," said Trish Thompson, Gallery Coordinator of Samhlaiocht, "and we're delighted to have her back for another exhibition. Her prints flow with an energy that mirrors life and while some are imbued with painterly vigour that belie the formal structure of the printmaking process others are implicitly adherent to the process. It's a wonderful combination and the work is both free flowing and immediate, yet, at the same time, structured and considered."

Eileen elaborates saying, "I relate to Art that is honest and real and reveals life with all its perfections and flaws. There is a beauty and rawness to life and Nature that I seek to express in my work."

This beauty and rawness resonates with the viewer and is surely, at least, partly responsible for Eileen's success to date. Not only are her exhibitions successes but her work features in a wide range of privately held Art Collections including those of AIB, Kerry County Council and Kerry Education Service while she has also been short-listed to design collectors' coins for the Central Bank.

Success aside, you get the feeling that if all sales were to dry up tomorrow Eileen would still paint and print in her little studio. "Sometimes when I feel exhausted that exhaustion is equally evident in the work and results in pieces that are softer and, somehow, more human," she says.

And it's that honesty, that willingness to put herself into her work, which makes it so appealing both to Eileen as an artist and to the viewer.

The exhibition opens on Thursday, July 10th, and runs until Friday, August 1st, in the new Samhlaiocht Gallery which is located in the Old Presbytery on Lower Castle Street in the heart of Tralee. The Gallery is open from 10 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, is free to visit and all are welcome.

For more information on Samhlaiocht please log on to http://www.samhlaiocht.com/

Exhibition of Award Winning Art from 54th Texaco Children's Art Competition

2008-06-04T03:52:00.000-07:00

The exhibition will include Work from Rebecca Murphy, Kerry Native and Art Competition Winner, pictured above.

With past winners including everyone from TD's to world renowned artists, the Texaco Children's Art Competition has played an influential role in the artistic lives of children in Ireland for fifty four years. To celebrate this achievement, Samhlaiocht, Kerry's premiere Arts Organisation is exhibiting a selection of the winning entries from the latest Competition.

"The Texaco Children's Art Competition has been encouraging artistic talent in Children for over half a century," said Jason O' Mahony, Artistic Director of Samhlaiocht. "When you look at a list of past winners and the effect that winning the Competition had on their lives it's absolutely unbelievable! The spirit of the Competition is very much in keeping with the ethos of Samhlaiocht, to encourage Children to enjoy, create and participate in the Arts."

Ruairi Quinn TD, a prize winner of the Texaco Children's Art Competition at the time of the Suez Crisis, said, "I won my first Texaco prize at the age of 10. Then I was doing it (art) without realising I was good at it. By the time I was a teenager it was central to my life. I painted constantly, right through until I was about 27 or 28."

"I was fortunate enough to get encouragement from that first award. I won a couple of other awards at different age categories," he added. "It had a profound effect on my life and what I subsequently did."

The Competition is having an equally influential effect on current day winners. Rebecca Murphy, who hails from Killarney is 8 year old and was a First Prize Winner in this year's Competition with a wonderful painting called, The Hungry Toucan.

"I feel like the luckiest girl in Ireland," laughed Rebecca, "it's a great feeling to win." When asked about her inspiration for the painting, she says, "I love animals and birds. I got a book about the rainforest and decided to paint a toucan and now budgies and toucans are my favorite birds or animals."

"We were delighted and very proud of Rebecca that she won," said Maire Murphy, Rebecca's mom, a Killarney native. "We were humbled by the standard of work that we saw at the Awards Ceremony. Winning the prize has had an immensely positive effect on her and given her fantastic confidence."

Maire, who is a teacher in Killarney and husband Sean, who owns Lord Kenmare's Restaurant, felt becoming part of a winning group of talented Children was central to Rebecca's growing confidence. Maire was also quick to heap praise on Texaco for their "amazing generosity" while saying that all the prize winners were "treated like royalty."

With over thirty thousand entries a year, the Competition is a breeding ground for young artists, and many past winners have gone on to have successful careers in Art. When asked to describe the impact the Competition had on her career, renowned artist and former winner, Bernadette Madden, said, it was "a wonderful childhood experience. A magical memory. Children's Art sowed a seed which encouraged me to develop my artistic talents at a very young age."

Artist Marie Connole, another past winner, is equally full of praise for the Competition saying, "I entered the Competition often during my teenage years and it was very influential in my decision to continue with art as a career."

Their memory of the Competition and of the influence which it had in helping to develop their careers in art is typical of past winners' feelings. Such warm memories mirror the regard which Kerry's Artistic community has for Samhlaiocht. And given the success of both Samhlaiocht and Texaco in promoting the love of Art in children it would be difficult to bet against Rebecca and this year's other winners having equally fond memories and maybe even equally successful careers in Art!

The exhibition of selected artwork from the 54th Texaco Children's Art Competition opens in the new Samhlaiocht Gallery which is located in the Old Presbytery on Lower Castle Street in the heart of Tralee on Thursday, 12th of June, and runs through to Wednesday, July 2nd. The Gallery is open from 10 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, is free to visit and all are welcome.

For more information on Samhlaiocht please log on to http://www.samhlaiocht.com/
For more information on the Texaco Art Competition please log onto http://www.texacochildrensart.com/

For further information about the Texaco Children's Art Competition, contact Don Hall/Maeve Barry, Hall PR on 01 660 9377 (office), 087-2552699 (mobile) or email pr@hallpr.ie.

SAMHLAIOCHT GALLERY CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS 2009

2008-05-29T04:11:00.000-07:00

Laura Gutierrez Martin, Samhlaiocht Festival Coordinator and Trish Thompson, Samhlaiocht Art Gallery Coordinator.

The Samhlaiocht Gallery has issued a call for entries from Artists interested in exhibiting as part of Samhlaiocht's 2009 Gallery programme.

"As part of Samhlaiocht's ongoing collaboration with Artists we're inviting them to submit work for consideration for our 2009 Gallery programme," said Trish Thompson, Samhlaiocht's Art Gallery Co-ordinator. "The past two years have been wonderfully successful for us in terms of exhibitions. We had more exhibitions, sold more work and discovered more talent than ever before. We're hoping that 2009 will bring more of the same and that this call for entries will attract the best and brightest up and coming artists from through out Ireland, while also attracting more established artists looking for an additional outlet for their work."

The submission is open to all Artists. Applications are invited from individual artists, or groups of artists, working in any medium for inclusion in the 2009 Samhlaiocht Gallery Programme.

The Samhlaiocht Gallery first opened in July 1999 in Maine Street, Tralee. The philosophy behind the Gallery mirrors the overall philosophy of Samhlaiocht, which is to help, promote and establish up-and coming Artists, provide an outlet for more established artists and facilitate community groups working in any artistic medium.

The New Samhlaiocht Gallery is located in the Old Presbytery on Lower Castle Street in the heart of Tralee. The Gallery is open from 10 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, is free to visit and all are welcome.

Applications should be submitted in writing by Friday, June 27th and should contain the following:
1. Current Biography or CV.
2. Artist's Statement (max. 400 words) & Exhibition Proposal (max. 200 words)
3. 10 - 12 high quality images of the work. Images can be submitted as digital prints, photographs, slides, or jpeg format.
4. Image list with titles, medium and dimensions clearly labeled.

Please address your applications to:
Trish Thompson, Art Gallery Coordinator, Samhlaíocht, The Old Presbytery, Lower Castle St. Tralee or email trish@samhlaiocht.com or phone 066 7129934

For more information on Samhlaiocht please log on to http://www.samhlaiocht.com/

EXHIBITION OF NEW WORK BY MUIRIOSA MURPHY & SEAMUS MCDONNELL

2008-05-09T01:21:00.000-07:00

Exhibition from Up and Coming Kerry Artists to open on Thursday, May 15th

An exhibition of artwork from two up and coming Kerry artists will go on display at the new Samhlaiocht Gallery on Thursday, May 15th. The exhibition features work by Muiriosa Murphy and Seamus McDonnell.

Muiriosa, who hails from Rathmore originally, is a born painter, sculptor and print-maker and finds inspiration in life but also in the tactile interaction with the materials she uses. "I love the freedom and sense of discovery every time I create something," she says.

Muiriosa's sculptures have an almost iconic look to them, and would not seem entirely out of place in a museum. "Well, I think that people today may feel a sense of alienation to the world around them. It's only in the most recent times, in an evolutionary sense, that humans have surrounded themselves with masses of concrete and metal, and so they can, at times, feel alienated from their surroundings," she says.

There is a certain timelessness about her sculpture, a feeling of connectivity to history. "I think that art should cross boundaries and be relevant irrespective of culture and time," she explains, quickly adding with a laugh, "not that I've achieved that just yet!"

Seamus McDonnell, who grew up in Ballymacelligott, is quite a fan of Muiriosa's work and believes she reaches the lofty targets she sets for art. "I think her work is excellent and I'm delighted to have an opportunity to exhibit work in the same gallery."

In fact the two artists are quick to complement each other and the opportunity afforded them by Samhlaiocht. "It's fantastic to have an opportunity to show work and we're really thankful to Samhlaiocht for giving us the opportunity," said Seamus.

Seamus has been sketching and drawing all his life before suddenly taking up oil painting eight years ago. "Well, I've always been good at art, and had a very strong interest in sketching, but I had a very vivid dream about a painting and just had to create the painting and luckily it turned out well!"

In fact this personal approach and connection to art is something that both artists are quite comfortable with, "I find I use Art almost as a therapeutic exercise," says Seamus, who works in Tralee General Hospital and Muiriosa quickly agrees. "Absolutely, it goes back to what I was saying about alienation - Art helps me to make sense of what's going on inside me while also helping me make sense of what's going on with other people."

This inter-connectivity is also reflected in the titles which the artists have chosen for their exhibition; Seamus is calling his collection 'Presence', while Muiriosa's is titled 'The Other'. One would be forgiven for thinking that the Artists had been friends for a long time, though this is not quite true.

Muiriosa submitted work for Samhlaiocht's annual Salon De Chiarrai exhibition which takes place late every year, while Seamus had popped into the Samhlaiocht Gallery with a collection of works sometime before. Trish Thompson, Visual Art Coordinator with Samhlaiocht, felt that the work would complement each other and set about organizing an exhibition and then fate took a hand. The two artists bumped into each other at Killarney Rotary Club proving it's a small world after all, or at the least a small county!

"It's fantastic to see such wonderful artists come together and have such respect for one another's work," said Trish, "we're just happy that we can accommodate the artistic process in some small way."

The exhibition will run until the 6th of June in the new Samhlaiocht Gallery which is located in the Old Presbytery on Lower Castle Street in the heart of Tralee. The Gallery is open from 10 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, is free to visit and all are welcome.

For more information on Samhlaiocht please log on to http://www.samhlaiocht.com/

EXHIBITION OF LANDSCAPES BY KERRY BASED ARTISTS OPENS IN THE NEW SAMHLAIOCHT GALLERY

2008-04-09T09:48:00.000-07:00

Boreens, Curteens and Cnuceens to open on Thursday, April 17th

An exhibition of artwork titled, Boreens, Curteens and Cnuceens, will go on display at the new Samhlaiocht Gallery on Thursday 17th April. The exhibition features work by four Kerry Based Artists, Roger Cattermole, Donal Stack, Rosemary Purcell and Antoinette O'Regan and all the work on display will focus on the beautiful Kerry landscape.

"Returning to West Kerry had been a recurring dream for me," said Antoinette O'Regan one of the four artists featured in the exhibition. "Now that my dream is realized, my surroundings are both my inspiration and an ongoing challenge." Antoinette, who was a student at Limerick College of Art has exhibited widely throughout Ireland and spent time at the prestigious Ciall Rialig Art Studios in Ballinskelligs. "The various and widely changing moods of Kerry create a romantic and intense atmosphere for the viewer," said Antoinette, an atmosphere she skillfully captures in her work.

Rosemary Purcell, winner of the Beara Arts award in 2003, lives and works in the Kenmare area of South Kerry. "I take my inspiration from the natural beauty that surrounds me," said Rosemary. "South Kerry is known for its wild and dramatic scenery, but it is its subtle changes in light and colour that influences my artwork, my work is an attempt to capture this ever changing environment."

Rosemary fully captures the rich and dramatic beauty of the South Kerry landscape and her work elicits a visceral response. "Well maybe that's because even though you can't eat the scenery but by gentle osmosis it does influence who we are," adds Rosemary. That influence is plain to see.

In contrast to the wild beauty of south Kerry landscape captured by Rosemary, Donal Stack, who graduated from Crawford Municipal College of Art in 1986, focuses on the tamer and more cultivated lasdscapes of North Kerry and, in particular, on the farmlands. "This is a landscape that has been tamed and cultivated by generations of hardworking and resourceful farming families, each leaving its mark, whether in the fields' structures, in the houses and farm buildings or in the actual animals and livestock that live on the land," said Donal.

"It is not a dramatic landscape but more a pastoral landscape. Its drama is in the detail. It is a transforming landscape; the vernacular architecture is being replaced by modern homes and hitech farm buildings. This is an inevitable process as was the replacing of stone farm buildings with corrugated iron sheds."

Roger Cattermole was born and raised in the UK. He was a student of the Harrow school of Art and has successfully exhibited throughout Ireland and England. In 1996 he relocated to County Kerry and has dedicated his time to professional painting. The move proved to be successful one as the landscape and culture of Kerry has had a profound influence on his painting and philosophical outlook. "Each landscape has its own particular and unique characteristic," said Roger, "in this work I aspire to capture the nature and mystery of the land."

All four artists through a variety of differing techniques and styles capture the indescribable beauty of Kerry. The exhibition is not only for art lovers but for everyone that has every looked at a Kerry landscape and been inspired.

The exhibition will run until the 9th of May in the new Samhlaiocht Gallery, which is located in the Old Presbytery on Lower Castle Street in the heart of Tralee. The Gallery is open from 10 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, is free to visit and all are welcome.

For more information on Samhlaiocht please log on to www.samhlaiocht.com

Artist to Exhibit in Sheen Falls Lodge

2008-04-07T08:44:00.001-07:00

Artist Richard Hearns returned home in the New Year after a two month residency and solo show in Thailand.

Since his return to his native Ireland he has taken part in a group exhibition in Dublin and is now in the midst of preparing a body of work for a long awaited second solo Exhibition in Kenmare.

The Gallery in The Sheen Falls Lodge will be hosting this body of work which will comprise both local landscapes and figurative works of all sizes. Areas that are simultaenously familiar and mysterious.

Richard's paintings feature in numerous private and public collections. He is currently represented by three very well established galleries around the country.

To view works by Richard Hearns go to http://www.richardhearns.com/blog/index.php

The exhibition in The Sheen Falls Lodge will open on June 1st and runs until July 1st.

SEISIUIN EOLAIS d'FHISEALAIONTOIRI

2008-03-12T03:49:00.000-07:00

Visual Arts Information Sessions

A Chara,

Le linn Mi Aibreain, beidh na Seisiuin Eolais seo a leanas a reachtail ag Ealain na Gaeltachta i bpairtiocht le Samhlaiocht Chiarrai agus le tacaiocht o Chomhairle Chontae Chiarrai:

Ealain na Gaeltachta in partnership with Samhlaiocht Chiarrai and supported by Kerry County Council will be running the following Arts Information Sessions during the month of April:

Coimisiuin, Damhachtain agus Sparanachtai
Commissions, Awards and Bursaries
Catriona Fallon
De Luain, 7 Aibrean, 7.30i.n.
Monday, 7th April, 7.30p.m.

Do chuid oibre a chur i lathair
Presenting your Work
Roisin McGuigan
De Luain, 14 Aibrean, 7.30i.n.
Monday, 14th April, 7.30p.m.

An Craiceann agus a Luach!
Maximising your Money!
Diarmuid O Siochru
De Luain, 21 Aibrean, 7.30i.n.
Monday, 21st April, 7.30p.m.

Ag obair le Danlanna
Working with Galleries
Ciaran Walsh
De Luain, 28 Aibrean, 7.30i.n.
Monday, 28th April, 7.30p.m.

Oifigi Udaras na Gaeltachta, Baile an Mhuilinn, An Daingean
Beidh na seisiuin seo saor in aisce. Ta spasanna teoranta, afach, agus ni mor teagmhail a dheanamh le Samhlaiocht no le hUdaras na Gaeltachta le hait a chur in airithe roimh 5:00 i.n. ar an Aoine 4u Aibrean

The sessions are free of charge. Places, however, are strictly limited so please contact Samhlaiocht or Udaras na Gaeltachta to book your place before 5:00 p.m. on Friday, 4th of April
R-phost E-mail: jason@samhlaiocht.com no/or e.depaor@udaras.ie
Teil: 066 712 9934 no/or 066 915 0100

Is mise le meas,

Jason O' Mahony,
Artistic Director / Stiurthoir Ealaion,
Samhlaiocht

Eibhlin de Paor
Aisitheoir Ealaion / Arts Facilitator

Artists on Common Ground

2008-02-21T08:11:00.000-08:00

Photo Caption:
Hugh O' Neill, a student with Tralee Community College, who's work will feature in the upcoming COMMON GROUND exhibition in The Samhlaiocht Gallery.

How does one bring six artists together and yet produce a coherent exhibition? COMMON GROUND, an exhibition of work by six students from Tralee Community College, successfully achieves a coherent unity while respecting the unique voice of each of the artists. COMMON GROUND may be seen in the Samhlaiocht Gallery, which is located in the Old Presbytery, on Lower Castle Street, in the heart Tralee. The exhibition opens on February 28th and runs through to March 14th.

"We wanted the exhibition to be an expression of each of our individual identities," says Sarah Kelliher, one of the exhibitors, "and while we are all products of our environment we felt it important to cover such themes as spirituality, individuality, one's state of mind and state of being."

Kristina Zebelyte, another exhibitor agrees entirely. Her work explores her spirituality, using the symbol of a cross, through the medium of densely textured paint. "The cross, for me and for millions of others around the world, is a symbol of Christianity and I felt it important to explore through painting what this most potent of symbols meant to me," says Kristina.

"While we all come from different cultural backgrounds and bring our own personality and flare to the exhibition, we are all doing an Art course in Tralee Community College, and so, quite obviously there's also a lot of common ground, which echoes the theme implicit in the title," adds Sarah. Sarah's work has a beautifully surreal quality and illustrates the concept of alternate personalities, effectively suggesting both the absence and presence of identity.

Such profound and philosophical themes run through much of the work on exhibition, Margaret O' Connell, for example, played with the idea of searching for one's soul, "I feel my work deals with a life journey - not just the physical journey but a deeper, more meaningful, spiritual one. I suppose, in essence, it's about searching for your soul." This search is clearly evident in the metaphysical images Margaret has created in mixed media which are on display in this exhibition.

Hugh O' Neill, on the other hand, places himself very firmly within his work, reflecting on the physical environment and using mundane and commonplace items such as shopping receipts and J Cloths to root his work very firmly in the present. "I went through a series of cerebral summersaults to produce this image," explains Hugh.

From the spiritual to the cerebral and on to the purely imaginative, Robert Moriarty went further to explore, "visions of the beauty and mystery of space and time." His richly textured, highly imaginative, landscape paintings convey the vastness of creation while instilling a sense of awe and wonder.

Ollie O' Sullivan uses the medium of print to examine the complexity and the inner workings of the mind. Ollie has created work that is as intriguing and quirky as it is rewarding to see. "After a lot of thinking, I drew a lot of thinking and then made a stencil of it!" says Ollie with a wickedly mysterious grin. To fully grasp Ollie's meaning, it's probably best to visit the exhibition in person.

COMMON GROUND, an exhibition by six students from Tralee Community College, will open on Thursday, 28th February, and runs through to Friday, 14th March, at the Samhlaiocht Gallery which is located in the Old Presbytery, on Lower Castle Street, in the heart Tralee. The exhibition is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, From Monday to Friday. Entry is free and all are welcome.

For more info on the PLC course please log onto http://www.ncte.ie/traleecc/art.html

Utopian Dreams

2008-01-20T08:21:00.000-08:00

Photo Caption:
Joyce McCabe and her parents at the opening of the UTOPIAN DREAMS exhibition in Samhlaiocht

An exhibition of works entitled "Utopian Dreams" by artists Joyce McCabe and Carolyn Walsh goes on display in the Samhlaiocht Gallery on Thursday 31st January.

"My paintings are highly influenced by my travels around Asia and my interest in dream imagery, both influences combine to create allegories of an other worldly nature," said Joyce McCabe, a native of Wexford, who has been living and working in Kerry as an Art teacher since 1991.

"Joyce's work has a strongly exotic vibe and symbolic content," said Trish Thompson, Gallery coordinator at Samhlaíocht, "anyone who gets the opportunity to view the exhibition will be left with a sense of awe at her use of imagery, and visual symbolism."

Carolyn Walsh who hails form Cahirciveen and has recently graduated from the Galway Mayo Institute with a degree in art and design and an honours degree in textile design. "The concept around my work is based on the idea of utopia," said Carolyn Walsh, "poverty in Ireland is a major part of this exhibition. The juxtaposition in our towns and cities of rich and poor areas is astonishing, so I have recorded these through the use of photography and paint, combining and almost intertwining the two together to demonstrate the physical closeness of the wealthy and poor in or societies."

"Carolyn's approach to her this work looks at how she could make these situations better," said Trish Thompson, "she has created a series of utopian visions, through the use of photography, paint and Photoshop and her work is influenced by the floral patterns of William Morris and contemporary artist Beatriz Milhazes, her work is highly original and is a stimulating response to her concept."

Salon de Chiarrai

2007-11-26T13:07:00.001-08:00

Karen Crow, Tralee; Veronica Murray, Ardfert; Eilis Griffin, Annauscaul and Muirios Murphy, Tralee who all have work featured in the Salon de Chiarrai.

Salon Style Show to Open on Thursday, November 29th in Tralee

A brand new exhibition is to open in Tralee on Thursday, November 29th in the Samhlaiocht Gallery. The exhibition is styled after the famous 18th Century French exhibitions, Salon de Paris, and is called the Salon de Chiarrai!

Artists from all over Kerry were invited to submit work for Salon de Chiarrai, and the work came flooding in from all parts of the Kingdom. Over 80 pieces of art have been selected from the submitted works and will hang all over the walls in Samhlaiocht's intimate gallery which is on Lower Castle Street in Tralee.

"We were blown away with the number of entries for our first Salon De Chiarrai show," said Jason O' Mahony, Artistic Director of Samhlaiocht. "We're received original paintings, drawings and etchings, large and small pieces in a whole variety of styles."

The only conditions for submissions was that all work had to be framed and ready for hanging, all work had to be for sale, and no work could have previously been exhibited at The Samhlaiocht Gallery.

"Kerry has always been known for its writers but looking at some of these pieces it's easy to imagine that in the future it'll be every bit as famous for its Artists," added O' Mahony.

The Samhlaiocht Gallery has always been at the forefront of bringing new and exciting artists to the public in Kerry and this show allows such artists an opportunity to have their work seen. Having said that, the Salon show will also feature work from many of the better known artists from Kerry including Eily Kavanagh and Michael O' Regan as well as pieces from internationally renowned artists such as Syra Larkin.

The Salon de Chiarrai has a wonderfully eclectic feeling to it, featuring everything from stunning landscapes to sketches of colourful Kerry characters such as John B. Keane. Having looked at some of the pieces, the exhibition is definitely worth a trip for art lovers while affording a perfect opportunity to pick up a unique Christmas gift that will be treasured long after the holiday season passes.

The show will open on November 29th and runs right through the Christmas period until December 21st. Opening times at the Gallery are from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm from Monday to Friday.

2007-09-01T03:23:00.000-07:00

SAMHLAIOCHT GALLERY JOINT EXHIBITION - JUDY COSTELLO & EILEEN KAVANAGH

Samhlaiocht is delighted to announce the opening of a new exhibition on Thursday 6th September at 6.00pm in its New Gallery, located in the Old Presbytery, Lower Castle Street in the heart of Tralee. The exhibition is an eponymous collection of new works by artists Judy Costello and Eileen Kavanagh and will be opened by Ms Kate Kennelly, Kerry County Council Arts Officer.

"These are the works of committed, talented and enthusiastic women," says Samhlaiocht's Visual Arts Coordinator, Trish Thompson, "it's fantastic the way they produce such original and vibrant work and we are happy that they are exhibiting with us here."

Eileen, or Eily as she is also known, is from the Dingle peninsula. She is a self taught artist reared on a farm that was sandwiched between the Connor Pass and Lios Dorgan, a mountain named after her mother's immediate ancestors.

The middle of five children, Eileen Kavanagh is a ciotog (left-handed, sometimes considered bad luck!). According to Eileen she didn't play up or play down much but instead formed an early bond with matters of the sky and sea.

She also paints scenes of rural dwellings.

"Eileen's Town Views," says Trish, "have an air of tranquillity and simplicity about them. You meet the occasional person here and there. There is an earthy tone despite the concrete, yet we sense an intense feeling of atmosphere."

Limerick born artist Judy Costello discovered "the artist within" since her move to the beautiful mountain landscape of Tonevane, near Blennerville.

"My subject matter varies from the ordinary to the extraordinary," says Judy, "and to me the common place is equally as inspiring as the exotic. I am inspired by the sea and the natural world. I am also influenced by the delicacy of the materials that I use, so that my work is primarily an exploration and celebration of colour."

This joint exhibition will be formally launched by Kerry County Council's Arts Officer Ms Kate Kennelly. All are welcome.

test

2007-07-27T05:03:00.001-07:00

test

2007-07-25T03:19:00.000-07:00

'A SENSE OF PLACE' EXHIBITION OPENING IN THE NEW SAMHLAIOCHT GALLERY ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 3RD

An exhibition of Work by Kerry Based Artist, Martyn Bell, captures the beauty of the Kingdom of Kerry

An exhibition of work entitled 'A Sense of Place' by artist Martyn Bell goes on display in the new Samhlaíocht Gallery on Friday, August 3rd. The collection of watercolours by Martyn demonstrates the empathy and appreciation which he feels for his adopted homeland of Kerry.

"We're absolutely delighted to have Martyn opening an exhibition at the Samhlaiocht Art Gallery," said Jason O'Mahony, Artistic Director of Samhlaiocht. "His paintings tell the tale of Kerry and show the magic of this most beautiful county."

"I've titled this exhibition A Sense of Place because the paintings are a record of places or impressions of places that have filled my visual memory," explains Martyn. "The paintings capture small fragments or glimpses of Kerry and my emotional response to my chosen home."

"It's wonderful to see our County inspire an artist like Martyn," added Trish Thompson, Curator of the Samhlaiocht Gallery. "His paintings really capture the essence of Kerry, I think people will really enjoy his work."

The Samhlaiocht Gallery is located in the old Presbytery next to St. John's Parish Church in the centre of Tralee on Lower Castle Street. 'A Sense of Place' opens on Friday, August 3rd at 7.30 pm.

2007-06-20T03:14:00.000-07:00

HIS EXCELLENCY MR. NOEL CARRILLO, CUBAN AMBASSADOR TO IRELAND, TO OPEN EXHIBITION AT SAMHLAIOCHT

An exhibition of Work by Kerry Based Artist and Musician, Karolien Verheyen, Brings the Beauty of Cuba to Kerry

An exhibition of work entitled 'In search of Music…Cuba' by Kerry based artist, Karolien Verheyen, goes on display in the new Samhlaiocht Gallery on Wednesday, 27th of June. The collection of photographs and a short film / slide show by the Belgian born artist demonstrates the remarkable empathy and appreciation which she feels for the people, places and culture of Cuba.

"It's fantastic to have Karolien exhibiting here. She has such is a wonderful talent and has amazing ability to capture life in her photographs," said Jason O' Mahony, Artistic Director of Samhlaiocht. "Her work vividly captures the beauty of Cuba and having looked at them you want to visit Cuba. It's also an honour and a privilege to have His Excellency, Mr. Noel Carrillo, Cuban Ambassador to Ireland, open the exhibition."

Karolien is a percussionist whose love for Cuban music brought her to the island on an exploratory mission to meet Afro Cuban musicians and to learn from the Masters on their home ground.

"My reason for going to Cuba was primarily music driven," explains Karolien, "hence the title In Search of Music Cuba. But while I was there I fell in love with all of Cuban culture and so decided to document my travels with photographs as well as with recordings of the music."

Such is the understanding and compassion that Karolien has for the country, His Excellency, Mr. Noel Carrillo, Cuban Ambassador to Ireland, has agreed to open the exhibition of photographs, a short film and slide show accompanied by live music recordings by Cuban musicians which Karolien made while in Cuba.

2007-05-25T03:14:00.000-07:00

ART GROUP TO EXHIBIT AT SAMHLAIOCHT ART GALLERY FROM THURSDAY 31st MAY to FRIDAY 29th JUNE 07

An exhibition of work entitled 'DIFFERENT STROKES' by a relatively new Tralee based Art Group goes on display in the new Samhlaiocht Gallery on Thursday 31st May.

"We're absolutely delighted to have the members of the art group displaying their work at our Gallery," said Trish Thompson, Gallery coordinator at the Samhlaiocht Gallery.

"This exhibition came out of a need to allow such groups the opportunity to exhibit their work in the public arena and Samhlaíocht wants to encourage all avenues of the arts in Kerry."

This Group exhibition is led by Tutor Deirdre Sheehan, who holds a B.A. in Painting from N.C.A.D. and a H.dip in Art and Design Ed.

"Since my student years at N.C.A.D. my favorite branch of research has always been the relationship between art and the mind," says Deirdre, "I particularly like the ideas of artists who explored this relationship, like Kandinsky and his books on how line and colour relate to music, or Rudolf Steiner, the psychologist, educationalist and artist who developed entire school systems where children learn their normal subjects through art, music and dance in a very therapeutic environment."

Deirdre spent many years teaching in various places, including Africa, and began teaching this group two years ago in Tralee.

"We began by drawing from nature and exploring colour harmonies, colour related to music and the emotional content of colour. My interest lies in the emotional response to the work during the process and as a finished piece, from the artist and spectator."

Deirdre likes to encourage painting in a relaxed environment and uses classical music during the class.

"It became clear early on that the students had no problems expressing themselves in very original ways, showing different tastes and styles so I try to encourage this. I encourage them to think of using the natural environment and imagination as a source of inspiration as well as looking at the way old and new masters have used paint technically. They are now beginning to feel more confident with paint so I hope each student will continue to explore personal subject matter whether to do with nature, people, or other ideas."

"The supportive environment of the studio combined with the gentle yet firm direction of our teacher nurtures the muse in each of us," said Geraldine Quirke one of the group members. "Humour and unity are the main catalysts of our group, each of us having our own unique style and supporting one another in pursuit of our different strokes."

The Samhlaiocht Gallery is located in the old Presbytery next to St. John's Parish Church in the centre of Tralee on Lower Castle Street. 'Different Strokes' opens on Thursday 31st May at 7.30pm

2007-03-01T03:08:00.000-08:00

PLC STUDENTS FROM TRALEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO OPEN ART EXHIBITION AT SAMHLAIOCHT ART GALLERY

Exhibition opens on Thursday, March 8th runs to Friday, March 30th

What does freedom mean to you? What creates a person's identity? To look at some possible answers to these questions visit the "Imprint" art exhibition at the New Samhlaiocht Gallery on Thursday 8th March. Imprint is an exhibition of the work of eight artists who are students of the Art, Craft and Design course in Tralee Community College.

"The exhibition is divided into two main sections dealing with the themes of identity and freedom. The interpretations of the themes and style of work are as diverse as the students themselves," said Mary Kirby the class tutor.

The Samhlaiocht Gallery is at the forefront of bringing new and exciting artists to the public in Kerry and supporting their progress throughout the development stage.

"Over the past number of years work by the PLC students has featured not only in our Gallery but also in our Samhlaíocht Easter Carnival," said Trish Thompson, Gallery Coordinator of Samhlaíocht. "We are delighted to give the students the opportunity to have a public exhibition of their work. Taking art work into the public domain is a big step and Samhlaíocht's aim is to support the students through this process."

The seven contributing artists are:
Fiona Ladden's abstract images examine the natural world and how each form creates it own identity. Fiona is already an experienced artist and exhibitor with Samhlaiocht.

Paola Kennedy studies her relationship with her Peruvian birthplace and her new homeland Ireland.

Ewa Miszczaks photomontages ask the question when identity is formed.

Katie Forrester's mixed media pieces also look at the genetic imprint and the effect of environment on identity.

Helen Dineen's painting studies freedom and seeks to find escape from life's issues in her dreams.

Time and living by the clock is an issue for Rochelle Lucey, her Dali inspired paintings are semi abstract and expressive.

Finally we end on a positive note with Geraldine Guinan who finds her freedom and peace of mind in the rhythms of the sea and the vastness of the ocean.

2007-01-01T03:04:00.000-08:00

MICHAEL V. O REAGAN TO EXHIBIT AT SAMHLAIOCHT ART GALLERY ON THURSDAY 8TH FEBRUARY

Kerry Native O' Reagan's Art Demonstrates Empathy and Appreciation For The Beautiful Kerry Countryside

Tralee - An exhibition of work entitled 'About Time' by artist Michael O' Regan goes on display in the new Samhlaíocht Gallery on Thursday 8th February. The collection of paintings and sketches by Tralee born artist Michael V. O' Regan demonstrates the empathy and appreciation which he feels for the woodlands and countryside of his native Kerry.

"We're absolutely delighted to have an artist of Michael's talent and ability opening an exhibition at the Samhlaiocht Art Gallery," said Jason O' Mahony, Artistic Director of Samhlaiocht. "His paintings and sketches vividly capture the indescribable beauty of Kerry and you're left with a sense of awe having looked at them."

Michael is self taught and has been painting part time for many years. Demand for his work is such that he has recently begun working as a full time artist. The diversity and vibrancy in the natural beauty of the Kerry woodlands are a constant source of inspiration. Michael's preferred medium for his painting is oils and he also works in pen and pencil. His detailed sketches of old farm buildings and their environs record a traditional way of life which will soon be just a memory.

"I have entitled this exhibition 'About Time' because many of the paintings and sketches in it evoke a way of life for which I feel a great empathy and which I want to record in my work," said Michael, a native of Rock Street in Tralee. "The title also reflects the fact that I have now decided to apply myself full time to my art. I'm thankful to Samhlaiocht for giving me this great opportunity to put on a solo exhibition of my work."

"It's wonderful to have an artist of Michael's stature coming to the Samhlaiocht Gallery," added Trish Thompson, Curator Samhlaiocht Gallery, "this is our first exhibition in our new gallery and when I saw Michael's work I just fell in love with it and had to bring him to Samhlaiocht."

The Samhlaiocht Gallery is located in the old Presbytery next to St. John's Parish Church in the centre of Tralee on Lower Castle Street. 'About Time' opens on Thursday 8th February at 7.00pm

Opening times at the Gallery are Mon to Thurs 9.00am to 6.00pm and Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm. Everyone is welcome.