Visual Arts Trail 2011

Artists - Download the Guidelines & Application Form for Open Submission here!

EMMET SQUARE
Sat 6 & Sun 7 August

In Search of the Truth (The Truth Booth)
Cause Collective artists Ryan Alexiev, Jim Ricks and Hank Willis Thomas are travelling the world, searching for the truth, asking the public: “What is the Truth?” This new collaborative piece shaped like a giant cartoon speech bubble will be a portable video ‘booth’ that will be available to members of the public, to record their opinions and responses. The piece will travel throughout Ireland gathering video documentation and then onto the rest of the world.
In Search of the Truth (The Truth Booth) launched at the Galway Arts Festival 2011 and was first supported by The Arts Council and the SF Foundation.
www.insearchofthetruth.net
www.causecollective.com


THE MALTINGS
Open Daily • 1:30–6pm • See No. 4 on Map

Jonathan Sammon
Jonathan produces work in video, sculpture and drawing which is heavily influenced by his interest in science fiction and gothic literature. He combines fragments of real life world events with autobiographical material along with elements of fantasy, to create narratives which evoke ideas of emotional detachment, physical decay and psychological corruption in an effort to depict a world robbed of its fertility and potential.
Also: Birr Theatre & Arts Centre is delighted to present Jonathan’s new piece from an ongoing body of work entitled 'scenes from the happening world'. Shop Window location to be confirmed – check at Box Office for details.



Alchemical Reserve
Alchemical Reserve is an experiment in sharing and developing art making processes between artists Jessica Foley and Siobhán McDonald. Exhibiting together acts as a means for both to share research with each other and with a wider public and to individually develop their own work and thoughts.



Jessica Foley
This work is somewhere between a memory and an effort to understand a little more about the human position in time and space, the effect of distance on communication, with self and with others, with our memories and our histories. ‘The Hammer’, is a short story written in response to the Killaun Bogland Reserve, and to an interest in ideas of continuity and change, horizon and limit. Narrated by Maura Foley and Michael Thomas Hough, the story is contextualised by some film pieces and furniture made from decaying and discarded wood from the walkway on Killaun Bog.
Jessica uses writing, conversation and installation to think about and explore pockets of science, philosophy and technological history. Currently, her research prompts the slow articulation of emergent voices… The site of exhibition becomes a condensing space where research materializes through installations of written and spoken word, artefact and moving image.
www.jessicadfoley.com



Siobhan McDonald
Siobhan’s work is multi-disciplinary with a focus on drawing and sound. Using materials associated with the bog from resin to pollen she sets out to explore the dense terrain of the Killaun Bogland Reserve, which was formed over 10,000 years ago by the last Ice Age. Volcanic ash has been discovered in Irish bogs dating as far back as the Hekla eruption in Iceland 2,000 BC. This work looks at geological time and the slow, gradual decay of all matter. Siobhan’s practice examines the subject of entropy and in this exhibition she presents the following:
Scaled on-site drawing of the now decaying, man-made walkway on the reserve. Between instrumentalisation and impulse, McDonald follows the line of the path, which encounters many constellations of holes made by time. Resin pours made from sections of the decaying path.
See event, Thursday 11 August, 11am.



Open Submission Group Show
A selection of work by a guest curator, following an open submission process. The exhibition will showcase work in a variety of media, chosen from over 50 artists based all over Ireland.



BIRR THEATRE & ARTS CENTRE
Open Daily • 1–5.30pm • See No. 3 on Map

Therry Rudin
The lament for the fallen ash
Therry’s exhibition examines with rites and omens, and the space between religion and superstition. Her move to the Midlands three years ago has affected her practice greatly. A number of mysterious occurrences which she encountered, during a period of bereavement, precipitated this work. The work is presented theatrically, obviously influenced by the beautiful auditorium and acknowledging the traditions and superstitions within the theatre world.
See event Monday 8 August, 8pm.



COUNTY ARMS HOTEL
See No. 5 on Map

Official Opening on Thurs 4 Aug, 7pm.
AIB Photojournalism Exhibition
A collection of some of the most remarkable press photographs from the past year. The AIB Photojournalism Awards were open to all members of the Press Photographers Association of Ireland, and for the second year running, Mark Condren won the overall title; AIB Photojournalist of the Year 2011.



MAIN STREET
Open Daily • 1.30–6pm • See No. 6 on Map

Offaly Crafty Collaborative Project
11 craft workers are working together on a 7 foot high, free standing piece, where the base material is wood and the contributors are adding to the piece in materials as diverse as slate, metal, ceramic and silk.
www.offalycrafty.com

TIN JUG STUDIO
See No. 7 on Map

Abstract & Illusion Open Daily • 2–6pm
Featuring artworks for view and sale from local and regional artists. Paintings, woodcarvings, photographs and ornamental masks. Also, some of the spectacular masks made by children/teens in two ‘Chocolate Saturday’ workshops in July. 087 6681783.


Granny Thompson’s Dolls On Show Open Thurs 11 and Fri 12 • 2–5pm
The well-travelled, witty ‘ragdolls’ in period costumes through the ages, are out of their boxes and are on show at Brendan House. €3 (Child €2, Families €5)


CRAUGHWELL’S PUB
Open Daily • Pub Hours • See No. 8 on Map

Birr Photography Group Playtime
Playful interaction with toys in real life settings with everyday objects create a mood and story, to bring the toys to life. Birr Photography Group est. 2008, promotes photographic skills and knowledge among its members, keen amateurs of all abilities. Regular meetings, talks, discussions and demonstrations are held on a variety of photographic topics. further info: Joe 087 657 4820
www.birrphotogroup.org

MASONIC HALL
Open Daily • 1.30–6pm • See No. 9 on Map

Hazel Greene Dancing Ladies


BIRR LIBRARY
Open Daily • Library Hours • See No. 10 on Map

Friends of the Leinster Regiment Association
Military memorabilia from World War I (upstairs). Exhibition runs 12 – 13 August


Children’s Art Exhibition
The 5th annual exhibition by children from Tatiana Bondareva’s art classes.


THE CHESTNUT
Open Daily • Pub Hours • 5–15 August • See No. 11 on Map

Jerry Cahir Roots
Originally from Ennis, Tipperary based artist Jerry Cahir combines his love of colour and paint with form and sculpture. Predominant themes of Spirituality in Jerry’s work deal with the relationship between colour, the grid and the viewer’s unconscious reaction to both. Roots documents a journey of Celtic and Spiritual exploration.


MAIN STREET
Open Daily: 12 - 6pm See No. 12 on Map

Birr Art Group



GREEN STREET
Open Daily: 12 - 6.30pm See No. 13 on Map

Art & Soul
Inspirational and vividly colourful pieces showcasing the work of over 14 local artists working in a variety of mediums and techniques. Each artist brings their own unique style through artworks that compel the viewer to look at their surroundings with fresh eyes. Official Opening: Sat 6th Aug, 7.30pm
Among these Exhibitors are: Mary B Dunne (Carroll), May Carroll, Mary Murphy, Martin Spillane, Laura Bourke, June McCormack, Maura Fahy, Marie Keane, Tina Claffey, Kathleen Roe, Brian Roe, Frank Gallagher, Caroline Quinlan.

Wendy Stephens Portraiture
Come and have your portrait drawn throughout the week and also see other work created during Wendy’s Residency at Belmont Mills Studio, Co. Offaly. Participants can take their portrait home or leave it as part of the exhibition. Reasonable fee or barter can be negotiated with the artist!


EMMA’S CAFÉ DELI
Open Daily • Café Hours • See No. 14 on Map

Kathleen Gormley


MAIN STREET
Open Daily • See No. 15 on Map

Redmonds of Roscrea Portraits for Life
Portraying life from early days to later years, award-winning Redmonds Photography is distinctive and unique for their ability to capture that “look”. PhotoDoc Brian offers his expert diagnosis and advice free throughout the week on repairing your old photographs, negatives and transparencies (slides).
See event Tuesday 7pm


O’CONNELL STREET
See No. 16 on Map

Emma Barone
Emma spent many years studying and working in the areas of animation, interior design, graphics and jewellery. She has worked with stained glass, mosaic and architectural ceramics. Emma’s work has been featured in several magazines such as The Irish Arts Review, House and Home, Midland Arts and The Sunday Independent. She has enjoyed ten successful solo exhibitions, numerous group exhibitions, including several juried shows all over Ireland. Her works hang in collections throughout Ireland, Europe and the USA.
See event, Wednesday 10 August, 2pm


GAELIC BAR, WILMER ROAD
See No. 17 on Map

‘Connections’
Work by participants of Anam Beo workshops, in care settings in Offaly and with the I.W.A., part of the Arts in Health programme. Contact Jackie Lynch, facilitating artist in Birr Community Nursing Unit.www.anambeo.com.
See event, Wednesday 10 August, 2pm
www.anambeo.com

HEDGEROWS
Open Daily • 12–6pm • See No. 18 on Map

Local Artists Art Upstairs
Experience paintings capturing a sense of time and place; displaying freshness coupled with the effect of light on its subjects such as figures, water and landscapes.


SHOP WINDOWS
in association with Birr Chamber of Commerce
Locations for a variety of additional exhibitions and shop window art displays are still to be confirmed. For details see Visual Arts Trail Map available at all venues during the Festival. Volunteer invigilators are invited to assist the Committee to ensure full opening hours and an enjoyable experience for all visitors. Call the Festival Info Line for details.