Arts

Wide Open Space:

Landscapes from the Wexford County Council and Mairead Furlong collections

Wide Open Space: Landscapes from the Wexford County Council and Mairead Furlong collections. Curated by Eamonn Maxwell.

Wexford County Council, Carricklawn, Wexford. 20th October – 2nd December 2022. Open Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm. Wide Open Space is an exhibition of more than 50 works by leading Irish artists from the Wexford County Council Art Collection, exploring the enduring influence of the environment around us, including Barrie Cooke, Elizabeth Cope, Eithne Jordan, Cecil King, Alice Maher, Alannah O'Kelly, Sean McSweeney, Blaise Smith and Mary Swanzy. Orla Barry, an artist and shepherd based in Co. Wexford. In addition, it will showcase works by other Wexford based artists including Hanneke Van Ryswyk, Mary O’Connor, Orla Bates, Maire Holohan and Kate Murphy.

The education/outreach element of the Wexford County Art Collection continues to grow, with art works currently sited in Wexford General Hospital, Wexford Libraries, the five municipal district offices, Wexford schools and throughout County Hall. Free public tours of the County Art Collection are also offered regularly by the Arts Office and are delivered by a panel of local artists.

Mairead Furlong had an interest in art from an early age and worked as a photographer in her early twenties but life initially took her down the road of farm and retail management. In the 1960s she got involved in the establishment of Wexford Festival Opera and opened an antiques shop in her family home, Drinagh Lodge. Due to her growing sphere of influence, she was appointed by the Taoiseach, in 1983, to serve as a member of the board of the Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon. By 1994 she had convinced the then Wexford County Manager to set up an art committee and establish the Wexford County Art Collection.

Eamonn Maxwell is an independent curator who has worked in the visual arts for over 20 years. He has curated numerous exhibitions across the world including the Irish Pavilion at the Venice Biennale in 2011 and was Director of Lismore Castle Arts from 2009-2016.

The exhibition is presented by Wexford County Council in partnership with Wexford Arts Centre, and funded by the Arts Council of Ireland. For further information please contact arts@wexfordcoco.ie or telephone 053 9196369. n

The exhibition also features a selection of artworks recently gifted to Wexford County Council collection by the Estate of Mairead Furlong. Mairead Furlong was the driving force behind the establishment of the Wexford County Council Art Collection and set up an arts committee back in 1994. For over 20 years Mairead worked with this committee titled ‘The Friends of Wexford County Art Collection’ and through her passion and determination and support the County Collection grew from strength to strength. The County Art Collection now comprises over 400 art works, many of which are by Wexford based artists, as well as work acquired through long term loans with key institutions such as the Arts Council, IMMA, the AIB Collection, Wexford Arts Centre, and through private donations.

Many of the works in this exhibition were acquired by Wexford County Council during the period when Mairead was an active member of the art committee. Her ambition that the Collection should focus on excellence continues to this day, with works by local and national artists being added to the Collection each year. This exhibition will see many of the pieces go on public display for the first time, as well as revealing more recent acquisitions, including a large sculpture by

The Master & The Composer in Con

Wexford Arts Centre took the opportunity to showcase its wonderful new facelift at the 2022 Opera Festival, opening with a most entertaining In Conversation piece between renowned Wexford Author Colm Toibin and Italian Composer Alberto Caruso.

In the fabulously intimate theatre setting, Arts Council Laureate of Literature Colm Toibin and composer Alberto Caruso discussed their collaboration and the immensely enjoyable process of creating and developing an opera based on Toibin`s novel The Master. The Master explores the life and struggles of author Henry James, and it was hugely interesting to the packed Arts Centre auditorium to see how Toibin and Caruso managed to transform the libretto into an opera which is being staged during the Festival. With piano to hand, the very talented Caruso demonstrated not just how he converted the words into melody but how he transmuted the intonation of Colm Toibin reading his own words into composition. Much of the evening examined the relationship between Henry James and author Constance Fenimore Woolson, the fourteenyear friendship that ended only with her tragic death in 1894, when she either fell or jumped from the fourth storey window of her Venice apartment. The full extent of their relationship and the true nature of their intimacy is uncertain, both making a pack to destroy the other`s letters retaining their secrets forever. A truly memorable evening in the company of greatness, literary and operatic.

– Maria Nolan

Above: Colm Toibin and composer Alberto Caruso. Below: Maria Nolan, Colm Toibin, Carmel Codd Keen and Anne Gilpin.

Pics: Courtesy of Maria Nolan.

nversation

Above left: Gene and Ger Draper. Above centre: Theresa and Derek Burke. Above right: Karine and Irene Daly.

Above left: Colm and Alberto in rehearsals in Wexford Arts Centre. Above centre: Esther Hunt and Danielle Mahoney. Above right: Colm Toibin talks to Audrey Keane, Arts Council.

Above left: Alessandio Spevarza, Audrey Keane (Arts Council), Alberto Caruso, Colm Toibin, Elizabeth Whyte (Wexford Arts Centre), Mary Mouit and Steven Lutvak. Above right: Trying out the new lift at Wexford Arts Centre.

Celebrating a trio of artists

At the opening on 23rd October 2022 of the art exhibition by Jeanne Ffrench, Patricia Kielthy and Mary Moloney, were Tom and Laura Harpur, artist Jeanne Ffrench, Nora and Bernard Gavin.

Above left: Some of the attendees at the launch. Above right: Mayor of Wexford Maura Bell opened the exhibition with the three artists on her right. Below left: David and Kelly Wright. Below right: Mary Hahan and Kieran Doyle.

Above left: Artist Patricia Keilthy shows some of her works to Deirdre MacDonald. Above right: Emma and Lucy Barry and Ann Byrne.

Above left: Some of the attendees at the launch. Above right: Artist Jeanne Ffrench and the Mayor of Wexford Maura Bell at the opening. Below left: Liz Cousins, Margaret Kehoe and Billy Roche. Below right: Artist Patricia Keilthy, Deirdre Hynes, Artist Mary Moloney, Michael Commane, Dymphna Hynes and Miriam Glynn.

TRIO - An Art Exhibition by Patricia Keilthy (fashion illustration and and contemporary textile art), Jeanne Ffrench (painter and ceramic artist), and Mary Moloney (specialising in contemporary collage and colourful abstracts), runs at 94 South Main Street, Wexford, until 4th November 2022.

Arts Appreciation classes at your local library

Autumn is here and it seems everyone is focused on learning, so the National Opera House's Education and Community Programme is pleased to have run a number of Evening Classes in Arts Appreciation during October which took place in libraries throughout County Wexford, and two more of these classes will occur later this month, November 2022. In addition, a very special Singing for Health Workshop with Irish tenor, Ross Scanlon, will be held on Friday, 25 November.

The remaining evening classes will feature selected professional musicians who will share their stories of how they came to make music their career; their background and training and life as a professional musician; their influences and of course their thoughts about coming back into live performances with live audiences.

Live performance demonstrations of their instruments will also be part of this informal and interactive talk with plenty of opportunities to ask questions. These classes are FREE, but booking is essential as places are limited and these classes with very accomplished musicians are always popular. Thursday, 10 November 7pm Elizabeth Drwal, Bunclody Library.

Thursday, 17 November 7pm Malachy Robinson, Enniscorthy Library.

As well as the Arts Appreciation Evenings, a FREE Singing for Health Workshop with Ross Scanlon will take place in the National Opera House on Friday, 25 November 7pm. There are many scientific studies proving that singing has extremely positive effects on your physical and mental health. This very popular and fun workshop is open to all who love to sing. Learn breathing techniques, improve your posture and learn how to produce a sound in a way that is vocally healthy. All this, while joyfully singing in a group environ-

What is Opera? Evening Class in Arts Appreciation presented for National Opera House Education Programme by Elizabeth Drwal on Thursday 10th November 7-8pm in Bunclody Library. This event will keep you both entertained and engaged! Absolutely no prior experience of opera or singing needed! To book a place, please ring 053 93 75466. Ross Scanlon is an accomplished tenor, having trained at the BIT Conservatory of Music and Drama at the Royal Academy of Music Opera School in London.

ment and without the pressure of singing individually or performing for other people. n

Join Malachy Robinson in Enniscorthy library where he will talk about his life as a professional musician, his background and training and how he has acquired the skill to play multiple stringed instruments. Through live demonstration and performance this evening promises to be both informative and entertaining. An opportunity for questions will feature as part of the talk. This project has been supported by The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas.The event is suitable for anyone aged 18 upwards – no prior knowledge of music necessary! Duration: 1 hour. Book your seat by phone: 053 9236055. n

Enniscorthy Library...

On the third Thursday of every month the Adult Book Club meets in Enniscorthy Library at 7pm. New members welcome. If you are interested in going along please contact Enniscorthy library on 053 9236055. n

On the last Thursday of every month the Slaney Writers Group meets in Enniscorthy Library at 7pm. New members welcome. If you are interested in going along please contact Enniscorthy library on 053 9236055. n

‘The Cliffhangers’ Junior Book Club is back in the Enniscorthy branch for its monthly meetings – usually the last Thursday of the month. It’s a great way to try new authors and genres and there is no pressure to read aloud. New members are always welcome. If you would like your child to join, please contact 053 9236055 for more information. Suitable for ages 8–12. n Author Sheila Forsey's two remaining creative writing classes at The Presentation Arts Centre run right up to mid-December. €25 each. Friday mornings from 10.15am –12.30pm. Nov 11: Character Development Explore the different aspects that create well rounded, believable characters. Make your villains, heroes, sidekicks, and mysterious background characters unforgettable. Dec 16: Becoming A Better Writer How to continuously develop your craft, avoid those lulls and brick walls, and keep that passion ignited. Places are limited, book in advance to avoid disappointment. 053 9233000. www.presentationcentre.ie n

Enniscorthy author chosen

Dublin City Council and Dublin UNESCO City of Literature have just announced that 'The Coroner’s Daughter' by Andrew Hughes is the One Dublin One Book choice for 2023, following on from 'Nora' by Nuala O’Connor in 2022.

One Dublin One Book aims to encourage everyone in Dublin to read a designated book connected with the capital city during the month of April every year. This annual project is a Dublin City Council initiative, led by Dublin UNESCO City of Literature and Dublin City Libraries, which encourages reading for pleasure. The initiative is also funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. Dublin City Librarian, Mairead Owens, says “The Coroner’s Daughter is a story rooted in Dublin city of the early 19th Century with fascinating themes such as forensic science, religion, and the role of women in Ireland at the time. It is also an entertaining detective story, which I’m sure will engage the readers of Dublin and beyond. I’m looking forward to the discussions that will take place among readers next April.” A new One Dublin One Book edition of The Coroner’s Daughter (Penguin-Transworld) will be available to borrow from all public libraries nationwide and to buy from all good book shops. There will be a programme of free events in April to accompany the reading initiative. Andrew says, “I’m so thrilled that The Coroner’s Daughter has been chosen for next year’s One Dublin One Book. The city has always been a huge source of inspiration, providing me with a setting and a cast of characters, and I love uncovering stories hidden in Dublin’s old houses... I sincerely hope readers enjoy following Abigail and her forensic investigations. I can’t wait for the events to begin next April.” The author Andrew Hughes (photo by Frank Gavin Photography) was born in Enniscorthy, educated at the CBS in Enniscorthy and at Trinity College, Dublin. A qualified archivist, he worked for RTÉ before going freelance. It was while researching his social history of Fitzwilliam Square –Lives Less Ordinary: Dublin’s Fitzwilliam Square, 1798-1922 – that he came across the true story of John Delahunt, a Victorian murderer and Dublin Castle informer. His debut novel, The Convictions of John Delahunt, was shortlisted for the Bord Gáis Irish Crime Book of the Year. The Coroner’s Daughter, a tale of a young lady sleuth operating at the dawn of forensic science, was nominated for the CWA Historical Dagger. Andrew lives in Drumcondra, where he continues to work on archival and historical research projects, as well as Dublin-set crime fiction. n

Local showing of local film

Visit Enniscorthy library on 10th November for the showing of "When the Bough Breaks" the second of five new films from Wexford Film Workshop starring a wealth of Wexford acting talent presented by Dubhtíre Films, written and directed by Dick Donaghue and produced by Jer Ennis.

Creative Writing Workshop for Teens with Caroline Busher on Saturday 5th November 2.30-3.30pm at Bunclody Library. This workshop is perfect for teenagers who want to learn more about the craft of writing, whether you are already writing a novel or want to know where to begin. Irish Times Best Selling author Caroline Busher will give you her top tips for success. The workshop will consider the importance of setting, characterisation, plot, dialogue and how to build tension in writing. Booking essential as places are limited, ring 053 93 75466. n When Joy (Summer Venn Keane) naively falls in love for the first time with a "would-be" rapper, Robbie (Anthony Finn) and snubs her bestie, Mags (Millie O'Reilly) it is exciting at first but soon turns to tragedy as she becomes pregnant and has to face tough decisions. Booking essential. Please register for your place by phoning 053 92 36055.

‘Selskar 18’ launch

At the launch of the book ‘Selskar 18’ at Wexford County Council on 11th October were TJ Grant, John Roche and John Nolan. Below: Anne McCann, Mayor of Wexford Maura Bell who launched the book, and Rose Hickey.