THE town of Ennis is set to be put in the frame as part of a collaboration between a local artist and well-known hotel – and inspiration is being sought from the public.
Artist Cathal Butler has been commissioned by Treacys West County Hotel Ennis to create a selection of paintings showcasing the very best of Ennis town and its environs.
A photographic competition has now been launched urging members of the public to send an image they believe best captures Ennis which will be transformed into works of art.
Five photos will be chosen for Cathal to bring to life on canvas, and the original paintings will be displayed in the hotel’s new Clare Art Display in the hotel lobby.
As well as having their winning image immortalised in the hotel, they will also receive a night’s stay at any of the Treacy Group Hotels and a print of the painting.
The new paintings will join other works by Cathal depicting iconic sites from across County Clare which have already graced the walls of the hotel.
Speaking to The Clare Champion Cathal encouraged people to dig out their photographs or take out their cameras and help capture the essence of the county capital.
Explaining what he would like to see from the entries, he said, “I would love to see iconic, colourful pictures. Ennis is a lovely town. Over the years I have seen some really nice pictures taken of here, for instance from some of the music festivals. There will be some artistic licence in the paintings, but I’m looking for a nice picture, colourful, quirky and that you would recognise as Ennis. The paintings I do are quite big and because of that they are quite dramatic when you see them.”
He added he is looking forward to seeing all of the artworks gathered in the new Clare Art Display.
“In the past the hotel have commissioned ten large oil paintings of sites in County Clare which have been positioned in various parts of the hotel. These will now be put in the new display with the paintings of Ennis. It is literally going to be a hotel with its own art gallery, which is unusual. When all of the paintings are together in one space it has a really good impact.
“There will be a description of the area included with each picture, so it will be nice for guests when they arrive to get a feel for what is here in Clare and Ennis. And it is a way for people to view art who might not necessarily go to art galleries.”
Once the subjects of the new paintings are selected Cathal is hoping to bring the public even closer to the art, by doing live painting sessions which people can watch online on his Facebook page.
To enter the competition photos must be good quality resolution and emailed through to sales@twcennis.com or the print can be dropped off at the reception area for attention “Sales Dept.”.
All entrants must be happy for their name and photo to be displayed publicly. The competition closes on January 27, 2023.
Cathal is registered as a professional member with VAI (Visual artists Ireland) and works from EASI Art Studios in Ennis, Co Clare. He mainly does landscapes in oils and has done several collections for hotels around the country. He has previously exhibited at the Scarriff Library Gallery, in Scarriff and the Clare Museum in Ennis and the Cultúrlann Sweeney Gallery in Kilkee Co Clare.
For more on Cathal’s work check www.cathalbutler.me