The visual arts in Clare are thriving and this is currently being reflected in the number of art exhibitions being held by the County Library service. There are currently four exhibitions on show in Clare library branches at Ennistymon, Shannon, Ennis and Kilrush.
Ennistymon is exhibiting the very popular Lives Less Ordinary photographic exhibition, which has toured to venues throughout Clare over the past number of months. The photographs accompany a book of the same name by Judy Kravis and Peter Morgan. The exhibition features thirty-two portraits of people who represent a creative, dissident Ireland, three of those featured are from Clare. Pat Liddy, a water-diviner from Tulla, is one, while the others are Arthur and Judith Watson and Joe Comerford, film-maker.
Fiona Woods has created the second touring exhibition, an artist based at the Courthouse Studios, Ennistymon. Fiona has established a travelling display of the Studios and the work, which has emerged from their activities, which she has entitled Rural Regeneration through the Arts. Tracing the history of the Studios from a derelict building to a thriving artistic environment, the display highlights the develoments of the Courthouse Studios through photographs, images and text.
Each of the artists who have worked in the Studios has a display panel in the exhibition, which features biographical information and images and information on their work. The numerous arts projects which the artists of the Courthouse Studios have been engaged in over the past three years are also displayed. The aim of the exhibition is not only to showcase the work done to date by the artists involved with the Courthouse Studios, but also to highlight how the arts can play a very real and active part in fostering community spirit. This exhibition will continue in Kilrush Library until April 10 and will then move to Newmarket-on-Fergus Library for two weeks.
The third exhibition is by the Mid-Western Artists Group, The Market Artists. Those artists are once again showing their popular annual exhibition at de Valera Library. Featuring a mixture of watercolours, oils, landscapes and abstracts, this delightful show should appeal to all tastes.
The final exhibition is on display in Shannon Library and brings an international feel with it. This remarkable exhibition of computerised digital prints is by Michael Roach, Professor of Art at Austin University, Texas, U.S.A. Michael's work is particularly concerned with the relationship between mankind and the plant kingdom and through his use of shape and colour he has developed a beautiful and restrained exhibition.
These exhibitions have been organised and assisted by the Arts Office of Clare County Council.