“Townlands” Exhibition by Alan Counihan & Gypsy Ray

“Townlands” Exhibition

18^th February – 17^th March

You are invited to the opening reception on 18, Feb, 2011 at 7pm

Townlands is an exhibition of works made over the past two years by artists Alan Counihan and Gypsy Ray as part of the Townlands Project. Works to be shown at the Courthouse Gallery will include photographs, drawings, sculpture, installation and film all of which have grown out of creative interaction with the artists’ local landscape

The Townlands Project (www.townlands.net) is an ongoing creative exploration of a rural landscape and community in north Kilkenny. It has involved the gathering of place and field names in nine parish townlands along with a series of oral history recordings. Engagement with the community has been wide-ranging resulting in a collaboration between Barnstorm Theatre Company and the local national school, an artist-in-residence-programme , a seminar and a short film, all based on the local landscape and its history. It is anticipated that a publication will follow in 2011-2012.

Over the past twenty years Alan Counihan has realised many large site-specific works in the public domain and exhibited widely both in Ireland and the U.S.A. His work is in many public and private collections on both sides of the Atlantic. He has been the recipient of several grants and awards including the Pollock-Krasner Foundation Award. While perhaps best known for his object-based work his practice also incorporates photography, theatre, sound and texts. 

While resident in the USA, Gypsy Ray gained a national reputation for her social documentary photography especially for work focused on the issues of HIV/AIDS and its impact on specific communities.  Here in Ireland she has continued her creative engagement with place and people using both photography and drawing and was recently awarded a Kilkenny County Bursary for her initial work with the County Kilkenny Traveller Community.  Her drawings are a regular feature in the RHA annual exhibition.  A book of landscape imagery, "The Poetry of Place" was published in 2007.

For more information see : www.townlands.net

www.alancounihan.net.

www.gypsyray.wordpress.com

Tom Portman "At One"

 Tom Portman

Saturday 5^th February   

in the gallery at 8.30 admission  €5

Multi-instrumentalist, performer, composer and songwriter Tom Portman is based in the west of Ireland.  Playing acoustic & electric guitar, Dobro & lap steel, Tom presents a wide repertoire.  His compositions draw on many global styles yet have a distinct flavour of their own.

January 2011 will see the launch of Tom’s 2^nd solo album, ‘At One’.  This self produced collection features instrumental compositions, songs and arrangements of traditional Irish tunes for finger-style guitar and Dobro.

“Tracks sound great; very interesting chord lines and use of space.”

Guitarist, Dennis Cahil

‘Fascinating…he absolutely captivated me.’ John Richards, Galway Bay FM

In addition to live and studio session work, Portman teaches music in Galway through the GTI and ‘Maoin Ceol’ School of Music. He regularly performs around Ireland from small venues to festivals such as the Electric Picnic and the DLR Festival of world cultures.  Internationally, Tom has toured in Poland where he played the Suwalki Blues festival.  Portman has also played venues in the UK, North Italy and the South of France.

Tom’s other involvements are with:

 

•  The Indian fusion group ‘The Bahh Band’ www.myspace.com/bahhband. In November they released their debut album ‘Worlds Colliding’.  It features the bands compositions, arrangements of Indian Raga’s and a cover of Jeff Wayne’s ‘War of the Worlds’.
• ‘Charis’, Kinvara’s well known rock outfit.   See www.charisireland.com.
• Tom is currently working on the 2^nd solo album from Inis Bofin singer, Peader King.   www.myspace.com/peadarking

In previous years he has collaborated on Bluegrass/Americana projects with Gone to Grass, Kiss my Bluegrass and Vince Cross. See www.myspace.com/vincentcrossx.

LINK

A Scoil Mhuire Ennistymon, Alumni Art Exhibition

Official Opening by Siobhán Mulcahy, Clare Arts Officer
on Fri 14^th Jan 2011 at 7pm

The educational aspect of the show will feature talks and workshops by some exhibiting artists and by the architect  responsible for the renovation the Courthouse Gallery.

These talks are aimed at Leaving Certificate students in Art, Craft and Design. The architect's talk will also be relevant for Construction Studies students. Of course these are public talks and all are welcome to attend. One workshop will be run by two 2nd year Art college students, who will talk on portfolio preparation and their own artistic practice.

There will be detailed educational notes and worksheets available to take away, compiled by Mary Fahy, the art teacher responsible for the show. These handouts are specifically designed for the Art History section of the course. 

Details of the Talks

for Scoil Mhuire's LINK art exhibition:

• Mon 17th Jan 2011 at 6.30pm:  Marie Connole, -will present a slide show on her artistic processes
•  Sat 22nd Jan 2011 at 2.00pm: Branwen Kavanagh (2^nd Yr sculpture student at NCAD) and Myriam Riand (2^nd Yr graphic design student at LSAD) will give a presentation on their  current work and portfolio entry requirements. - relevant to any budding art students who wish to prepare portfolios and apply to art college

• Mon 24th Jan 2011 at 6.30pm:  John O’Reilly architect –will give a presentation on the Renovation of the Courthouse – relevant to Art History and Construction Studies students at Senior Cycle, and all those interested in local history

Christmas Greeting

Thank you all for your support during 2010 and wishing you a Happy Christmas & a Creative 2011

from Kathryn, Crissie, Dara, Trudi

The Gallery is open:  29th, 30th and 31st of December from 12 - 4 pm

                                 4th, 5th and 6th of January from 12 - 4 pm

The Gallery is closed:  24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th of December

                                   1st, 2nd and 3rd of January

OPENING OF THE CHRISTMAS SHOW

We are delighted that Mayor Christy Curtin opened our Christmas Show "has been + is going" and "Trasna" . It was a great evening  and we had a very successful auction.We sold 50 pieces from the 200 original postcard-sized works by established artists.

The exhibition runs until the 6th January and these affordable works, now € 40 each, make original Christmas presents. Works sold can be taken away and they will be replaced by new ones.

                                                                                              

'has been + is going'

Exhibition will be opened by Mayor Christy Curtin,

on Friday 26^th November @ 7pm

‘Trasna’ AUCTION begins at 8pm

‘has been + is going’ features an astonishingly diverse range of work that ‘has been’ exhibited or ‘is going’ to be exhibited in the near future. Artists were selected for the high standard of their work and the show captures a variety of styles, materials and ways of working. Alongside individual artists’ works are collaborative projects such as Sitemeetings, Collection of Minds and Aughty Public Art Projects.

Artists featured are Jackie Askew, Fiona O’Dwyer (in collaboration with Paddy and Jimin Dooley), Sinead O’Connell, Vicky Lennie, Sarah Fuller, Fiona Woods, Trudi van der Elsen, Nicola Henley, Sitemeetings (Alexandra Boettcher, Maeve Collins, Maria Kerin), David O’Rourke, Ilsa Thielan, Martina Cleary, Desmond McLoughlin, Mairin Kelly, Fiona Woods, Christy McNamara, Dyan Smith, Aoife McGovern and Aughty Public Art Projects (curated by Dr. Aine Phillips with artists Marie Connole, Emma Houlihan and Tom Flanagan).

Alongside these works the Courthouse will host a selection of artist’s paper projects; catalogues, artist’s books and zines.

‘Trasna’ is an exhibition of postcard-sized works by well-known artists run in conjunction with the Christmas show. This is a first for the Courthouse Gallery who have been delighted with the response from national and international artists.

 In celebration of this unique exhibition all works will be at a reserve price of 40 euros. This is a wonderful opportunity for locals to purchase original artworks as gifts for loved ones in the upcoming festive season

To encourage all of the communities of North Clare to share in this fun event there will be a wine reception and a humourous Auction to be enjoyed on the opening night Friday  26^th November. Members of the public are invited to come early and place bids on their favourite pieces before the auction begins at 8pm.

The Courthouse Gallery welcomes you to these exciting events which celebrates artists’ work in the community of Ennistymon and beyond.

'Trasna' the auction

  

  ‘Trasna’ exhibition and auction of postcard-sized work

• This collection of almost 200 postcards-sized works from national + international artists will be auctioned by Chris Wallis and Sarah Fuller on the opening night at 8 pm.
• There is a reserve price of €40 on each work.
• This is a silent auction, meaning artists are anonymous until after works are purchased.
• To place a bid : please use stickers provided to indicate which piece you are interested in bidding on.
• Auction starts at 8 pm, and the highest bidder can take their purchased work on the night. 
• List of participating artists : Emma Houlihan, Cora Griffin, Cynthia Sinnott, Will O’Kane, Madeline Smith, Jackie Askew, Leslie Wieltschnig, Valerie O’Driscoll, Mimie White, Frank Golden, Patricia Tuite, Pauline Keena, Carmel O’Driscoll, Tara Barone, Sarah Stevens, Margaret Duffy, Fiona O’Dwyer, Desmond McLoughlin, Ann Vaughan, Ben Smith, Kate Hodman, Betty Gannon, Katja Wittmer, Joe Ryan, James Slevin, Judy O’Sullivan, Finola Graham, Achim Riffelwood, Trudi van der Elsen, Liz Moloney, Mary Hoey-Dietz, Barbara Damen, Koos van der Elsen, Maeve Collins, Alexandra Boettcher, Ilsa Thielan, Caitriona Sheedy, Vicky Lennie, Hilary Gilmore, Thomas Prendergast, Natalie El Baba, Madeleine Lara Smith, Mimi Kern, Charles Henihan, Mary McMahon, Ian Wieczorek, Orla Campbell, Gabrielle Cap, Caireann Browne, Carol Kennedy, Fiona Calnan, Joyce Shee, Josephine Quigley, Jean Duffy, Mary Fahy, Emma Barone, Sadie Cramer, Dorothy Ledwith, Tessa O’Connor, Marianne Slevin-Potterton, Dyan Smith, Corinna Schroeder-v.Frihling, Sinead O’Connell, Marje O’Brien, Nicola Henley, Marie Connole, Diana Reid.

Seeing and Dreaming

DOG AND STRING THEATRE

SEEING AND DREAMING

in the Gallery 

Saturday November 13th @ 8pm

Two visual theatre portraits telling the intricate stories of two lives.

‘Astonishingly insightful, sensitive piece. I think, as it exists, is near perfection – a dance between performers. It is both complete and complex.’

THE SHOW IS SUITABLE FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN AGED 10 AND OVER

Seeing and Dreaming is a new piece of visual theatre that tells the intricate stories of two lives. Visual artist and puppeteer Sarah Fuller and performer Vanessa Earl are collaborating to bring these people’s stories to life using shadows, objects, puppets and people.

Dorothy is eighty, lives alone in a Victorian house in Birmingham. She has one eye, no teeth and a soft spot for Starsky and Hutch. Michael is eighty-eight. Gnarled and bed ridden, he dreams of dancing and wild horses.

Dorothy’s story is told through the memories of her eight-year old grand-daughter who spent many weekends alone with her. This is a portrait of older age told through the eyes of a child.

Michael’s story focuses on the last year of his life spent in hospital. This portrait explores his changing states of mind, slipping between dream, reality and memory. This is a man preparing to die.

Vanessa Earl

Trained at the Jacques Lecoq International Theatre School and the Laboratory for the Study of Movement in Paris. For sixteen years she has worked professionally making theatre. Among others she has worked for the Clod Ensemble, Augusto Boal and Theatre of the Opressed, the Royal Shakespeare Company, Tom Morris and the Battersea Arts Centre, Theatre de Complicite and the National Theatre. 

Sarah Fuller

Graduated in Textile Design at Central St. Martins College of Art and Design London. In 1995 she established Dog and String Theatre and since then has devised, performed and toured shows for childrens audiences both nationally and internationally. Her visual art has been exhibited widely throughout Ireland. She has considerable experience working in Arts in health and has been exploring the therapeutic possibilities of puppetry in relation to dementia. 

Trasna

Open invite to “Trasna” Postcard Exhibition 

In conjunction with the Christmas exhibition ‘has been + is going’ 25th November to 6th January, The Courthouse Gallery Ennistymon is inviting A5 postcard submissions from national and international artists. Postcard- max 19cm x 13.5cm size, in any medium and clearly label on back artists name, title, medium, address, mobile number and email address. Post to Trasna, The Courthouse Gallery and Studios, Parliament St., Ennistymon, Co. Clare, by 16th Novemeber.  All postcards priced at 40euro including 25% gallery commission. There will be an auction on opening night and prices may increase. ennistymoncourthousegallery@gmail.com

The Bahh Band

 The Bahh Band 

concert in the gallery to launch their new CD

“Worlds Colliding”

Friday 12^th November @  9pm

door: €15,  includes CD!

                                             

The Bahh Band

The Bahh Band are a rapidly evolving group of seven eclectic musicians based in the cultural melting pot of Galway in the West of Ireland. Their unique and soulful blending of such diverse influences as Indian classical music, bluegrass, Irish music, vocal improvisation and groove laden rhythms have won them many fans at their regular appearances in festivals such as Body N Soul, Electric Picnic and the Festival of World Cultures. The group began as a three piece founded by Australian born, Mattu who plays the sarode (a 25 stringed Indian lute), Italian tabla player, Ciro Montanari and Galway bluesman, Tom Portman on the dobro (a slide resonator guitar). However, the group has constantly been seeking a greater density of sound and have expanded to include the dynamic Pauli Smalls (double bass), 2 vocalists (Ceara Conway and Goishka) and well known bodhran/percussionist Brian Fleming. They have become increasingly known for their hypnotic live shows, incorporating more guests using further percussion, drones and electronics. The Bahh Band also display an interesting choice of covers in their live repertoire, drawing on psychedelic rock riffs, jazz standards, Johnny Cash, reggae motifs and traditional Irish folk songs!!!

Most recently, in 2010, they recorded a version of Jeff Wayne’s 70’s rock opera, War of the Worlds, which received the enthusiastic approval of the author and numerous hits on youtube for their subsequent video. The band’s founding member, Mattu, received a grant from the Arts Council of Ireland to further his study in India and funding from Galway County Council to complete the group’s debut album entitled, Worlds Colliding. The group performed for thousands of people at the recent visit of Indian guru, Amma, in the RDS in Dublin and are planning a tour of England and India.

“Exceedingly talented and diverse, the Bahh band mix elements of blues, bluegrass, folk and eastern sounds seamlessly” (bodynsoul.ie)

“Serious shoes off music!!!” (Ronan O Snodaigh-Kila)