Clare Arts Office Events

See also: Library Events

	4th - 23rd October 2021 Postitive Vibes - An exhibition by Sinead Slattery Clare Museum, Ennis. Born in 1972 in Ennis, Sinéad studied graphics and print at LCAD. Sinéad currently lives in Ennis with both of her now-adult children. From a young age she fell in love with arts and crafts. Joyce Kilmer’s poem ‘Trees’, Turner, Kandinsky and so many more are her main influences. The majority of Sinead’s landscapes are painted from memory and/or photos she has taken, emphasising her love of nature. She tries to capture a sense of awe in the beauty of our surroundings. The exhibition will also have a poem on display by 13-year-old Johnny Colman O’Loughlin. Through this exhibition Sinéad would like to raise funds for Clarecare and she will be donating 60% of sales from her exhibition to Clarecare. Sinéad’s work has reached as far as Hong Kong and she has exhibited throughout Ireland. At present glass paints are her addiction as she admires the results of surprise and longevity. For further information please email sineadart@gmail.com
	13th September – 16th October, 2021 'Time Lapse' - An exhibition by Claus-Eckhard Kraemer Scarriff Library Gallery, Scarriff, Co. Clare. Scarriff Library is delighted to present ‘’ Time Lapse’’ by artist Claus-Eckhard Kraemer After training as a journalist/photographer and pursuing an international career in Public Relations culminating in his work as Media Delegate in Formula 1, Claus took a step back from the hectic life in the fast lane and concentrated on image and text art, something he had never lost out of sight. Claus started exhibiting his photographs nationally in Germany and soon was accepted at international shows. Since 2016 he is a regular at the prestigious annual Art Fair in Endingen. His pictures unerringly capture the viewer's gaze and inspire reflection. Claus attaches great importance to colourfulness and extreme subtleties, which often appear in their details as if they had been painted with the finest brush. Claus-Eckhard Kraemer has been exhibiting in Germany, Austria, France, Albania and now in Ireland. For further information please contact Claus on: Phone: +353-85-8589583 Email: cek@cekraemerart.de Web: www.cekraemerart.de Facebook: @clauseckhard.kraemer.3 Instagram: @clauseckhardkraemer
	6th September – 2nd October, 2021. 'New Beginnings' An exhibition by Inis Artists Clare Museum, Ennis, Co. Clare. Inis Artists are delighted to return to the newly refurbished Clare Museum with a new group exhibition entitled “New Beginnings”. This wonderful exhibition will be on display from 6th September to 2nd October, 2021. The group, comprised of 15 local Clare based artists, have been coming together to show their work for over 21 years in many venues across the west of Ireland. The broad mix of styles and range of media always ensures a varied and interesting display. This will be their third exhibition this year in addition to the permanent display in Shannon Town Centre. For further information contact Alan Shoosmith, PRO Inis Artists, at alanartist1@gmail.com or visit www.inis artists.com
	2nd August – 28th August, 2021. ‘Wild Atlantic Views’ An exhibition by Gene Clohessy Cultúrlann Sweeney Gallery, Kilkee, Co. Clare Cultúrlann Sweeney is delighted to present " Wild Atlantic Views"’ by visual artist Gene Clohessy. Gene Clohessy is a visual artist from Limerick now living in Doonbeg, Co. Clare for the last fourteen years. Gene has always had an interest and a flair for fine art and crafts and her children Lauren and CJ continually inspire her to follow her passion. In 2018 Gene set up her own studio called ‘’Doonbeg Creative Art Studio’’ to which she received a great positive response. From her studio she runs workshops both for groups and on a one-to-one basis. Gene’s skills are broad and she works in a variety of fine art and craft mediums, including painting, needle felting, photography, card making, jewellery and more recently acrylic pour and enamelled copper. Gene is continually renewing her practice and the forms that she uses to express her ideas. "Wild Atlantic Views"’ is her second solo exhibition and in this show she presents yet again colourful, fun and exuberant art works. The show runs from the 2nd August to 28th of August, 2021 and is open to all members of the community. For further information please contact clohessyg@gmail.com
	12th July to 7th August, 2021 Iniscealtra The Holy Island Exhibition Scarriff Library Gallery, Scarriff, Co. Clare Iniscealtra, commonly known as Holy Island, in Lough Derg, is one of the most important ecclesiastical sites in Ireland with a foundation date in the 7th century. The island’s archaeological remains include the iconic Round Tower, the ruins of several churches, an ancient graveyard, a holy well, high crosses, ballaun stones and a bargaining stone. Iniscealtra boasts one of the largest collections of in situ grave-slabs from early medieval Ireland with about 80 slabs, as well as cross bases, in the Saint’s Graveyard. In recognition of the importance of this National Monument, and proposed UNESCO World Heritage Site the Gallery at Scariff Library is delighted to host the “Iniscealtra, the Holy Island Exhibition” Through the use of information boards and images, the exhibition depicts the history, archaeology and folklore of Iniscealtra. The main centrepiece of the exhibition features the excavations by the Office of Public Works in the 1970s. These excavations have uncovered interesting artefacts as well as revealing many phases of occupation and activity on the island. One of the very earliest churches, built from turf and wattle, was discovered during the course of the excavations. Two Romanesque carvings were found, a poignant depiction of Christ’s head, the other an unusual carving of an animals head as well as many other artefacts and human remains. There are also a number of prints, from the Royal Irish Academy Collections and photographs of Iniscealtra. For further information contact Joanne Dunphy Allen, Co-Chair Mountshannon Community Council email address is joanne.mcc@mountshannon.ie
	14th June, 2021 to 10th July, 2021. Colour and Rhythm by Inis Artists Scarriff Library Gallery, Scarriff, Co. Clare Inis Artists are hoping that members of the public will come and enjoy an exhibition of their recent work showcasing their passion for art and design. Inis Artists are a Clare based group of artists – some professional, some amateur who come together to exhibit their work at various public arts venues around the west of Ireland. They have been together for over 20 years, having originally formed in 1999 as a splinter group from the Clare Association of Artists & Craftworkers. Membership is kept to a maximum of 15 to facilitate a fair spread of everyone’s work in exhibitions. Some of their members have been with the group from the outset and they have welcomed newcomers as others depart. Inis Artists aim to put together a programme of exhibitions annually in galleries, local libraries, shopping centres and Arts Centres. In the last few years they have also organised charity weekend events with demonstrations to the public of different styles of painting. Inis Artists are delighted to begin their return to libraries and galleries with an exhibition in Cultúrlann Sweeney, Kilkee throughout June and look forward to further events this year as Covid restrictions allow. For further information contact Alan Shoosmith, PRO Inis Artists, at alanartist1@gmail.com or visit www.inis artists.com
	31st May, 2021 - 3rd July, 2021 New Beginnings by Inis Artists Cultúrlann Culturlann Sweeney Gallery, Kilkee, Co. Clare Inis Artists are hoping that members of the public will come and enjoy an exhibition of their recent work showcasing their passion for art and design. Inis Artists are a Clare based group of artists – some professional, some amateur who come together to exhibit their work at various public arts venues around the west of Ireland. They have been together for over 20 years, having originally formed in 1999 as a splinter group from the Clare Association of Artists & Craftworkers. Membership is kept to a maximum of 15 to facilitate a fair spread of everyone’s work in exhibitions. Some of their members have been with the group from the outset and they have welcomed newcomers as others depart. Inis Artists aim to put together a programme of exhibitions annually in galleries, local libraries, shopping centres and Arts Centres. In the last few years they have also organised charity weekend events with demonstrations to the public of different styles of painting. Inis Artists are delighted to begin their return to libraries and galleries with an exhibition in Cultúrlann Sweeney, Kilkee throughout June and look forward to further events this year as Covid restrictions allow. For further information contact Alan Shoosmith, PRO Inis Artists, at alanartist1@gmail.com or visit www.inis artists.com
	26th May, 2021 – 12th June, 2021. 'Art in Studios' Summer Show Scarriff Library Gallery, Scarriff, Co. Clare Art in Studios is a recent initiative which gives the public access to a network of 12 contemporary art and craft studios in East Clare, all within easy access of one another. This 'Arts Trail' provides a unique opportunity to visit local artists at work in their studios, speak with them about their practice and if desired, purchase art work directly from them. The 'Art in Studios' arts trail showcases a great diversity of artists and makers in East Clare including painters, printers, sculptors and artists working with ceramics, glass, mosaic, encaustic and fabric. All are fully practising creators who regularly exhibit their artworks in group and solo exhibitions locally and around the country. The trail highlights the processes of art and craft making and a number of the artists in the 'trail' offer to share these skills and techniques, through workshops and demonstrations held at various times throughout the year. The artists concerned would be delighted to tell when these take place if contacted directly. For further details contact Stephen Powell mountshannonfestival@gmail.com Website www.artinstudios.ie Facebook: Art in Studios. Participating artists: Vivienne Bogan. Feakle. Mixed media, fine art paint. Kathryna Cuschieri. Glendree.Feakle. Glass. Nathalie El Baba. Scarriff. Mixed media, paint and glass. Isabelle Gaborit. Whitegate. Encaustic. Nicola Henley, Tuamgraney. Fine art textile. Debbie Hunt. Feakle. Contemporary fine art paint. Ian Kelly. Scarriff. Wood Sculpture; bog oak Lynn Kenny. Killaloe. Mixed media, fine art paint. Tim Noonan, Bodyke. Ceramics
	4th January to 30th January 2021 Dark Days and Golden Rays! Exhibition by Hazel Murray at the Gallery, Cultúrlann Sweeney, Kilkee. The Gallery, Cultúrlann Sweeney, Kilkee, Co. Clare Come and enjoy an exhibition of recent work by Artist Hazel Murray showcasing her passion for art and design. Hazel is a gifted artist, she has always had a love for art, murals, commissions to mention a few. Hazel loves all things art - her love of modern styles of art, abstract art, seascape & landscape. Hazel is currently exploring Resin art which she will have on display at the upcoming exhibition. For further information contact hazemurray.art@gmail.com through Facebook and Instagram.
	28th September – 30th October, 2020 Exhibition by Elaine Carey Clare Museum, Ennis. Come and enjoy an exhibition of recent work by Artist Elaine Carey showcasing her passion for art and design. Elaine loves to document beautiful things, things that spark joy. Elaine studied textile design in Galway in Chluain Mhuire in 2002. In 2018 she took up watercolour illustration and she loves to collect things that inspire her. Elaine’s favourite part of her work is creating new colour schemes. For further information contact carey.elainec@gmail.com Find Elaine Carey on Facebook and Instagram.
	28th September – 30th October, 2020 New Explorations in Textiles, Photography and Plastic by Kim Thittichai. Cultúrlann Sweeney, Kilkee. Information about the event: An exhibition of recent work by Kim Thittichai will showcase her new explorations in textiles, deconstructed plastics and new local subjects for her photography. Kim will be showing her latest vessels created from plastic washed up on local beaches for the first time, along with new mixed media canvases inspired by the remarkable light and colour of the West Clare landscape and huge skies. For further information contact: Sonas Studio, Fodra, Kilbaha, Kilrush, Clare V15 X030 087 6907 809 info@kimthittichai.com www.kimthittichai.com
	August 31st – September 26th, 2020 Exhibition by Henry Butler Clare Museum, Ennis. Ennis native, Henry Butler, brings his recent work to the Ennis Museum from August 31st – September 26th. Living in Tulla with his wife and three young daughters, this is Henry’s third exhibition following shows in Scarriff and Tulla since returning to painting in 2018. The Limerick School of Art & Design graduate’s work is heavily influenced by the natural world and wildlife pieces feature regularly in his work. This year however, with the restrictions on foreign travel due the Covid-19 pandemic and the focus on what Ireland has to offer people, scenes from the rugged coastline of the Wild Atlantic Way feature prominently in his work. In the last few months he has visited places including Mayo, Kerry and the Aran Islands which have inspired some his most recent work.
	Friday, 8th May 2020 The West Ocean String Quartet Cultúrlann Sweeney Kilkee at 8pm The West Ocean String Quartet (WOSQ) marks its twentieth anniversary in 2020 with an innovative recording project which celebrates the traditional music of Ireland’s Atlantic coast. The music will be curated from the broad musical spectrum of this region, specially arranged for the recording by the quartet’s cellist Neil Martin who is ideally placed to arrange and compose music suited to the diverse musical backgrounds of his WOSQ colleagues. Since it took its first tentative steps in 1999, WOSQ has received world-wide acclaim. Its founding members, Séamus McGuire (violin) and Neil Martin (cello) were later joined by Niamh Crowley (violin) and Ken Rice (viola). Within the quartet, the worlds of traditional and classical music meet and combine effortlessly. Tickets €16/€14 Conc. Information and bookings - Box Office 065 9060769, or visit www.culturlannsweeney.ie
	Monday, 9th March 2020 to Saturday, 4th April 2020 'Clare Moments' by Philip Brennan Scariff Library Gallery The paintings in this showing are a selection from a larger collection recently exhibited in Ennis, Shannon and Kilkee. Landscapes and wildlife subjects form the largest portion of the show but there are also seascapes, weather themes and music. Philip has been exhibiting his work since the seventies and this is his 23rd solo show since 1982. While he has painted in many locations around Ireland and sometimes abroad, from Wales to Canada and West Africa and has exhibited in the US and in Florence, his own County Clare has always been the source of most of his inspiration. The further he roamed the more he was drawn back home to the Burren, to the great cliffscapes and seas from Kilbaha to Kilkee, to the rivers, weather, history, stories, wildlife and music of Clare. His books ‘Philip Brennan’s Clare’ (2002) and ‘Wanderings’(2006) clearly show this obsession with the county. This exhibition shows a selection of watercolours from the ‘Clare Moments’ collection. Each picture tries to capture and hold a particular moment in the Clare year and there is quite a mix here: Skylarks and Sparrowhawks in the Burren, quiet riversides, both calm and wild moments on the Loop Head coast, snow, butterflies migrating, eagles returning to Mountshannon after 100 years’ absence, singers in session and ancient monuments. This exhibition can be viewed during library opening hours. An opening launch will be held on Thursday 12th March 6.30pm – 8pm. For further information contact: 061 922893 or scarriff_library@clarecoco.ie.
	March 9th to April 4th 2020 Henry Butler Exhibition Ennis Museum during opening hours Ennis native, Henry Butler, brings his recent work to the Ennis Museum from March 9th to April 4th. Living in Tulla with his wife and three young daughters, this is Henry’s third exhibition following shows in Scarriff and Tulla since returning to painting in 2018. The Limerick School of Art & Design graduate’s work is heavily influenced by the natural world and wildlife pieces feature regularly in his work. He tries to capture the true essence of the animals he paints. Each one beautiful and fascinating in their own way. This year he has included seascapes from the rugged coastline of the Wild Atlantic Way and plans adding more to his collection in 2020. "We have such breathtaking vistas and views right on our doorstep that we are guilty of taking them for granted. I want to explore more of what Ireland has to offer and capture that on canvas" he says. Henry is contactable at henrybutlerart@gmail.com and also through Facebook and Instagram.
	March 6th to 27th 2020 Shela na Gigs and other Gods-an interactive art exhibition part 3 by Astrid Adler Cultúrlann Sweeney Kilkee This body of work comes out of the project : "Search for the divine female". A research into Clare /Ireland communities' mind, practice, images and knowledge of divine females/female goddesses and places dedicated to them supported by the Clare Arts Office in 2010. The search brought up carvings of Shela na Gigs, stories of Gréine, Biddy Early and Aibheal or the healer women with the symbol of the double dragon from Scattery Island. The series of paintings are mostly (oil) pastels on black carton taking form from wisps to stonelike sculptures. Why she hid the paintings for so long is a mystery to the artist herself. Adler presents a possible pantheon of gods inspired by the spirit of Clare. The visitor is invited to write down what the Gods stand for, are good for or useful for, if female or male or even names. At this stage the paintings are for sale. The artist will be is present in a setting of celebration at the exhibition close.
	Wednesday 4th March 2020 Film Screening – So Long, My Son Cultúrlann Sweeney Kilkee at 7.30pm So Long My Son traces the lives of two families over three decades of social, political and human upheaval in China. Following the loss of a child in a tragic accident, their paths separate. Destinies ebb and flow, and fortunes are transformed under the impact of a country’s changing face. Yet even as their lives diverge, a common search for truth and reconciliation around the tragedy remains. But sometimes it can take a lifetime to say farewell. Tickets €6, seniors €5.
	Wednesday, 5th February 2020 Film Screening – Sons of Denmark Cultúrlann Sweeney Kilkee at 7.30pm 2019 subtitled film. One year after a bomb attack in Copenhagen, ethnic tensions are running high. Angered by the rising anti-Islamic climate, 19-year-old Zakariais becomes entangled in a violent plot against the far-right leader Martin Nordahl, whose National Movement party is tipped to win the upcoming general election. Zakaria’s naivety catches up with him as the country’s intelligence service starts to swiftly close in on him. Tickets €6, seniors €5.
	Friday, 28th February 2020 Adaptation by Ian Wilson - A musical journey through Trad, Classical & Jazz. Miltown Malbay Community Centre at 8pm Written by one of Ireland’s leading composers, Ian Wilson, for the talents of pianist Izumi Kimura and guitarist Joe O’Callaghan, Adaptation charts the imaginary musical journey through time and space of a well-known trad tune, visiting many of the styles and eras that might have influenced its final character. A heady mix of trad, classical, and jazz music, this hour-long performance promises to be as memorable as it will be enjoyable. Commissioned by Clare County Council through the Gaining Ground Public Art Programme. For further information contact 065 6899091. Admission is free and all are welcome!
	Thursday, 27th February 2020 Adaptation by Ian Wilson - A musical journey through Trad, Classical & Jazz. Teach Cheoil, Kilrush at 8pm Written by one of Ireland’s leading composers, Ian Wilson, for the talents of pianist Izumi Kimura and guitarist Joe O’Callaghan, Adaptation charts the imaginary musical journey through time and space of a well-known trad tune, visiting many of the styles and eras that might have influenced its final character. A heady mix of trad, classical, and jazz music, this hour-long performance promises to be as memorable as it will be enjoyable. Commissioned by Clare County Council through the Gaining Ground Public Art Programme. For further information contact 065 6899091. Admission is free and all are welcome!
	3rd to 29th of February 2020 Darragh O'Brien Exibition Clare Museum during opening hours (9.30am to 5.30pm) Ennis native Darragh O’Brien is currently showcasing his work in the Clare Museum. His work uses colour to dramatically capture the sense of joy he experiences during the act of creating the artwork. This is perhaps most evident through his prominent brushstrokes and vibrant splashes paint. Each painting is a spontaneous work of art and represents an uninhibited expression of pleasure in colour and composition. Darragh will launch his exhibition on Tuesday, February 11th, 2020 at 2pm in the Museum.
	3rd to 28th of Feburary 2020 Art Exhibition - Coasts and Cottages Cultúrlann Sweeney, Kilkee, Co.Clare Coasts and cottages is an exhibition of paintings by Nara Coates which showcases Nara’s love of the land with paintings ranging from the timeless solidity of the Burren’s landscape to the natural beauty of the rock formations. In her current exhibition she has endeavoured to pay a tribute to the builders and their creative imaginations in lovingly restoring the old forgotten and dilapidated cottages by transforming them into most enchanting and capturing images. The designs show an extra sensitivity and passion in creating a reality that is unique in this precious landscape. The roaring west coast sea rages on, battering the west coast. The human spirit finds painterly solutions that are pleasing to the eye, with colours that blend and harmonise and spaces that hold their presence through an ever-changing reality.

See also: Arts Events 2019

See http://www.glor.ie for events at Glór Irish Music Centre, Ennis
See http://www.burrencollege.ie/ for events at the Burren College of Art, Ballyvaughan
See http://www.burrenpaintingcentre.com for courses at O'Neill's Burren Painting Centre, Lisdoonvarna
See http://www.burrenpaintingcentre.com and http://www.artatthepark.net for courses at Art at the Park, Killanena