Open day at Tulla Stables Arts Studios

THE Tulla Stables Arts Studios in East Clare will be holding an open day on Saturday from 1pm to 6pm, which will coincide with the Tulla Traditional Music Festival.
Located in an old building, which dates back to 1817 when it was originally used as stables by families of the local Church of Ireland congregation, the refurbished studios were part of the County Arts Development Plan to address the needs of local artists.

Artists currently using the space include ceramic artist Kathleen Moroney, who has worked on site-specific commissions both in the US and in Ireland. Her latest body of work investigates varying stages of motion as a visual expression of the passing of time.
Painter Katja Wittmer, originally from Germany, has had her work shown in exhibitions worldwide, including New York, Hong Kong, Vienna and Munich. She is currently exhibiting in Westport, County Mayo.
Gold and silversmith JJ Moroney from Flagmount, also works from the Tulla Stables, where he designs jewellery inspired by the local landscape. JJ will have a display at his studio on Saturday.
Another East Clare artist at the Tulla Stables is Ian Castles, whose main focus is art that is socially relevant and sustainable. Ian is involved in an ecology and arts project at Raheen estate in Tuamgraney.
Holland native Sandra Hurley works in metamorphic rock, such as soapstone, alabaster and serpentine. She is currently working on a series of horse sculptures.
A former Dubliner and MA Graduate of Wimbledon School of Art, Mairín Kelly’s move to East Clare signalled a new focus in her work. Kelly’s art practice is informed by man’s interaction with the natural environment. Of particular interest in her works are the often conflicting interests and values regarding land use in the uplands.
The final artist at the Stables Studios is Melanie Jones, who trained in textiles in Cornwall and she will be demonstrating silk screen techniques at Saturday’s event. She has exhibited her screen prints and paintings in Clare, Dublin, India and UK.
As part of the open day activities there will be an exhibition of photographs taken of music and dance dating from 1720 on display at the studios, while music will be provided by piper Val Broderick, Martin and Laura O’Brien and sean nós singer and dancer Michael Hopkins.
All the resident artists will be on hand to showcase their work.