Tenth birthday for Áras Éanna

INIS Oírr-based Áras Éanna Arts Centre will launch their 10th anniversary celebrations at Galway’s Town Hall Theatre on Friday, August 6.

Venues director of The Arts Council, Val Balance, will open the event and a collection of work by more than 30 artists will go on sale and remain on exhibition until September 5. The paintings and photographs have been donated by friends of Áras Éanna to raise funds for the upkeep of Ireland’s most wild and windswept arts centre.
Since opening in 2000 the Áras Éanna Arts Centre has welcomed artists in residence as well as hosting renowned performers in its 70- seat theatre, which doubles up as the island’s cinema. Ennis artist, Mick O’Dea has participated in two residencies at Áras Éanna and East Clare concertina player, Mary McNamara, gave workshops and performed there in 2009. Clare based singer, Seán Tyrell is scheduled to play a concert at the centre on August 28.
This is the first collective exhibition by the artists, united through time spent on Inis Oírr as artists in residence. The show features works by national and international artists including Seán Ó Flaithearta from Inis Mór, former artists in residence Arno Kramer and Carel Lanters from Holland and Connemara based artist, musician, fisherman and science journal editor, Brendan Ó Súilleabháin. Dublin artist Jeni Roddy’s sea costume, inspired by the island will also be on display.
The exhibition links in with other 10th anniversary events taking place on Inis Oírr including a weekend of art classes on August 21 and 22. The exhibition tours to Ballinasloe public library in September.
For more information, see www.araseanna.ie.