Visual Arts Trail 2010

ESTATE OFFICE, ROSSE ROW
Open Daily • 1:30-6pm

Roesy
Artist, singer/songwriter and native of Birr, Roesy exhibits his trademark style of illustrative, colourful creatures and fairytale imaginings. Alongside these, for the first time, Roesy ventures towards his own depiction of the Offaly landscape. Roesy also plays The Chestnut Garden on August 16th, 8pm, joined by pianist Josh Johnston.
www.roesy.net


Ghislaine Howard
The Circus Animals Desertion
‘I sought a theme and sought for it in vain, I sought it daily for six weeks or so.’ WB Yeats
In her imagination, Ghislaine Howard (Marianne Dobson) equates her Irish home, the Old Distillery in Birr, with Thoor Ballylee, Yeats’ famous tower - inspiration for so much of his poetry. Ghislaine interweaves images suggested by Yeats’ late poem, The Circus Animal’s Desertion with references to her own life and work in this suite of monotypes and related works. An artist known for powerful and expressive paintings that record and interpret shared human experience, Ghislaine exhibits widely in the UK and Europe.
www.ghislainehoward.com


Nicky Larkin
Photographic Exhibition and Pripyat (Short Film Screening)
Born in Birr, Nicky Larkin studied Fine Art in G.M.I.T. and Chelsea College of Art, London. He has exhibited widely across Ireland and the UK with video installations and sound-pieces. In 2007 he travelled to the Chernobyl exclusion zone to shoot the experimental short Pripyat, which was subsequently screened at many prestigious International Film Festivals. In 2009, he travelled to Bosnia and Herzegovina to create a body of photographic work for a solo exhibition. He also visited Moldova and the de-facto independent separatist state of Transnistria. Nicky spent early 2010 in Tbilisi, Georgia on an artist residency programme, where he gained access to Tserovani Refugee Camp. The body of photography currently on show documents the lives and conditions of displaced Georgians whose homes were destroyed during the 2008 Russian-Georgian war.
www.nickylarkin.com www.krankynilic.com


MAIN STREET
Open Daily Check window & website for times
Jessica Foley
Occupational Detour
Jessica Foley is an artist/writer, and a local of Birr. Currently, her work explores an interest in forms of communication, scientific discovery, and the action of making that generates a sense of occupation. For Occupational Detour, Jessica will employ drawing, writing, photography and video, as well as cross-stitching and sewing. Leading up to and during the Festival, Jessica will explore ideas of Occupation, what it means to be Occupied, and what it means to Occupy. A shop on Main Street will become her studio and be open to the public as a creative space for conversation and making (drawing, writing, sewing…). There will also be workshops and discussions scheduled throughout the Festival week. Jessica hopes the people of Birr will feel welcome to join her, to begin piecing together a picture of occupation. www.jessicadfoley.com


THE MALTINGS
Open Daily • 1:30–6pm
Wine Reception, Monday 16 Aug, 6pm. All Welcome.
Local Artists Exhibition
Curated by Ursula Klinger
Exhibiting artists: Ana Alves-Smyth, Emma Barone, Frank Gallagher, George Dempsey, Hazel Greene, Janelle Molloy, Jerry Cahir, John Gillen, Kathleen Gormley, Kathryn O’Brien, Kieran Brennan, Mary B. Carroll Dunne, Mary Stevenson, Maura Fahy, Mike Bulfin, Niamh White, Tara Barone.


Offaly Crafty
Exhibition of art and craft from Offaly’s own makers.


BIRR THEATRE & ARTS CENTRE
Open Daily: 1 - 5.30pm
Jock Nichol
Scottish born artist Jock Nichol has lived in Birr since 2002. While his paintings are initiated through an experience of a place at a certain time, the work attempts to look beyond the superficial appearance of the landscape. Jock creates a patina, exploring literally and metaphorically, what lies beneath the surface.
www.birrtheatre.com

THE CHESTNUT
Open Daily: Pub Hours


Photographic Exhibition by Carolina Gustavsson
Prior to moving to Birr, Swedish born photographer Carolina Gustavsson was employed as historical photographer at the National Library of Sweden and the regional Museum of Västerbotten. She has also practiced as a professional freelance photographer. Specialising in documentary photography, her work deals with notions of people, places and homes.


TIN JUG STUDIO
Open Daily: 2 - 6pm


Imagination Rules
A Family Affair: Family members will be exhibiting, and be exhibited! If you’ve heard of Tracy Emin’s ‘Unmade Bed’ at the Tate Gallery, then experience the Birr version: The Injured Mountaineer’s Occupied Bed. Bring him fruit, entertain him with your wit or party piece and he might sing you a song and offer you a glass of something... Or just listen to him snore creatively from behind the curtains. Other artwork on show: drawings, paintings, photographs and woodcarvings.


Mythical Creature
A Vintage Week photo-montage and multi-medium artwork. Help an artist create an artwork to grow across the walls. Children and adults can bring copies of Festival photos (max. size 6x4; colour or black and white) of people, places or abstracts. Rosalind will use your photos to create a magical creature during the week. Come and help or watch how it will change and spread up along the walls. For more details call 087 6681783.


BIRR LIBRARY
Open Daily: Library Hours


Friends of the Leinster Regiment Association
Military memorabilia from World War I (upstairs). Exhibition runs 13 – 27 August


Local History in 3D
Exhibition of models of historical buildings and monuments built by children from 5 local primary schools, as part of a History and Art project run by Birr Vintage Week and Arts Festival. Exhibition runs July – August.


Children’s Art Exhibition
Exhibition Launch Saturday 14 August, 10.30am.


EMMA’S CAFÉ DELI
Open Daily: Café Hours


Birr Photography Group Sport in the Community
Birr Photography Group run excellent group outings; in-house tutorials and talks by professionals and semi-pros. The group grows from strength to strength, with skills constantly improving. Some members have had work commissioned and photographs published. BPG are a friendly, creative and positive lot – new members always welcome! www.birrphotogroup.org Also exhibiting: Cassandra Darlington, Angie Culbert.


MAIN STREET
Open Daily: 12 - 6pm


Birr Art Group Colourful Canvas
With 17 members of different ages and backgrounds, Birr Art Group’s approach is very casual and informal. Techniques are readily shared and the result is a great sense of enthusiasm and camaraderie. Exhibiting artists include: Kathleen Gormley, Majella Fetherstonhaugh, Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, Wink Foreman, Mary Lynham, Des Mulcaire, Bryan O’Donnell, Alison Rosse, Chrissy Spain, Janet Whitespunner, Joy Armitage, Carmel McCarney, Ann Harte, Brendan Heffernan, Sandra Edge, Catherine Caffrey, Margaret Bannon and June Powell.


GREEN STREET
Open Daily: 12 - 6.30pm
Sharing the Moment
A fine display by Artists from the locality who work in a variety of mediums and techniques. Each with their own unique style and inspired from their own surroundings, art influences and different walks of life. Exhibiting artists include: Mary B. Carroll Dunne, Martin Spillane, May Carroll, Marie Keane, Mary Murphy, Ethna Kilduff, Des Mulcair, Kathleen Gormley, Maura Fahy, Adrienne Powell and Tina Claffey.
Wine Reception Friday 13 August, 8pm. All Welcome.


MAIN STREET
Open Daily: 12- 6pm
Redmond’s Photography
Redmonds of Roscrea is a name which has been synonymous with quality portrait photography for over 30 years. Their portraits are best described as creative and natural and their work can be found in homes all over Ireland, as well as abroad. Come and talk to them and see their display – Redmonds will have specially produced vouchers for you to avail of during the Festival. Open throughout August.


SHOP WINDOWS
in association with Birr Chamber of Commerce
Look out for art in shop windows across town. Main St: Expressions Group; Art Students of St. Brendan’s Community School; Tatiana Bondevera. Connaught St: Youth Reach. Thanks to all shop owners for use of windows. Exhibitions open daily from Friday 13th August. Opening times correct at time of going to print. Please see notices at venues for up-to-date information and details of special events.