AN ARTIST who works for Clarecare is putting her talents to use for the greater good, by donating most of the proceeds of her forthcoming exhibition to the agency. 

Sinead Slattery has been working in the popular Clarecare Thrift Show for over 15 years and next month she will exhibit a selection of her paintings at The Clare Museum. Her aim is to donate 60% of all sales to Clarecare. 

“I grew up in love with nature and art and crafts from a young age,” she said. “I was lucky to have learned many skills in the Holy Family Primary School, from crochet to embroidery. In Coláiste Mhuire I had a fantastic art teacher who used to call my love of red skies ‘Slattery Pink’. My dad taught me how to paint in a ‘domestic’ way from a very young age. “Don’t be afraid of it” he used to say. “Paint don’t tickle,” as I enjoyed painting walls back then. I probably made a mess of the walls, but all I heard from my Dad was praise and encouragement.”

Sinead went on to study art at Limerick College of Art and Design (LCAD).

“Looking back, it was from a young age that I learned the power and therapeutic benefits of art,” she said. “I studied at LCAD after my Leaving Cert and have exhibited throughout Ireland since then. My works have reached from London to America and Hong Kong.”

The forthcoming exhibition at Clare Museum is entitled Positive Vibes, and came about with the support of Clare County Council’s Arts Office. 

“I now have new works to display in the Clare Museum,” Sinead outlined. “My favourite medium is glass paints on board and canvas because of the element of surprise and longevity created.”  Clarecare is a professional social enterprise with charitable status, providing a range of people centred social services to individuals and families in County Clare for over 50 years. Current services provided include Family Support, Elderly Care Services, Counselling and Bushypark Residential Addiction Treatment Centre. Clarecare is headquartered in Ennis with local offices in Bushypark, Shannon, Kilrush, Killaloe and Ennistymon.  

“My own children have many happy memories of the summer camps provided by Clarecare over the years,” Sinead added. “I personally see how hard all staff work in Clarecare particularly during the pandemic to deliver much needed services to people throughout County Clare.”

Positive Vibes will run at Clare Museum from October 4 to 23. 

ENDS