Arts

Enniscorthy Walls project – a great foundation for 2022

Larry and Lisa – the driving forces behing the successful Enniscorthy Walls project take a look back at the year 2021...

“Well, what a year it's been! We want to say a big thank you from the bottom of our hearts to all who sent us lovely messages, comments and emails over the last year. Your support means the world to us, and from all of us here at our HQ in The Presentation Arts Centre we want to wish you a very happy New Year.

“The Enniscorthy Walls Project wasn't without its struggles and naysayers, but we achieved what we set out to do – to brighten up Enniscorthy with vibrant murals, to start a discussion about the amazing potential Enniscorthy has, and to focus on what a huge impact a little bit of rejuvenation and renewal can have. Now Enniscorthy is home to one of Ireland's finest outdoor art trails, where colossal colourful canvasses created by Omin, Amanda Doran Artist, Solus Art, ADW artist and Anna Doran greet visitors around every corner.

“We couldn't have done this without the tremendous support from our friends at Wexford Local Development and their generosity with the 2021 LEADER Fund, Farrell's Chemist Enniscorthy, Doyle Fielding Accountants, Hope Cancer Support Centre CLG, Wickham Bros., Glamour Boutique, Enniscorthy, our sister arts venue Wexford Arts Centre, the fantastic initiative – Shop Enniscorthy, and of course the folks at Enniscorthy Castle, Slaney News and Enniscorthy Guardian. Thank you all so much for believing in this project.

“This project was also supported by Wexford County Council and Enniscorthy Municipal District.

“What's next for us? Keep an eye out, you'll see.” n

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ARTS CENTRES

Wexford Arts Centre: 053-9123764. The Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy: 053-9233000.

Breaking the Bubble – an exhibition by Rory Draper in The Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy, runs from 15th January to 26th February 2022 in conjunction with First Fortnight, The European Mental Health Festival. Breaking the Bubble is a culmination of work by Rory Draper looking at the small things people may do to get out of the frustrating bubble that they can get themselves into. That insidious bubble of inactivity and isolation and deceptive comfort that can remove you from the people around you. Coming back to Ireland from London after a breakdown/breakthrough three years ago, Rory took some time to build himself up again and adjust to a far quieter and slower environment. Part of Rory's recovery was being cognisant of what he could do and did do that helped him get through the day. This prevented him from being bubbled up in his room, removed from others. Being aware of these small things and how useful they can be, became very useful for Rory during lockdown. It was during that time that Rory started to explore these events visually. Looking at these tiny, seemingly insignificant acts or moments of appreciation and composing them on a page and emblazoning them in colour. Rory Draper is a visual artist based in Wexford, having graduated from Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Dublin, in 2006 and later from the National College of Art and Design in 2010. Rory then moved to London where he lived and worked for a number of years. Rory is currently Artist in Residence at The Presentation Arts Centre where he inhabits a brand new studio space there in preparation for his upcoming exhibition. You can also catch Rory on television in the latest season of Sky Portrait Artist of the Year. n

Colm Tóibín wins £40,000 award

In November 2021, Enniscorthy author Colm Tóibín, considered one of Ireland’s most important authors, was awarded the prestigious David Cohen Prize for Literature. Born in 1955, Colm Tóibín is the author of ten novels, as well as many works of non-fiction, poetry, short stories, essays, and journalism. His works have been translated into over 30 languages. His novel Brooklyn was adapted for film in 2016 and his most recent novel The Magician was published in September 2021 to critical acclaim.

Colm Tóibín is the Irene and Sidney B. Silverman Professor of the Humanities at Columbia University and Chancellor of the University of Liverpool, and he is a VicePresident of the Royal Society of Literature.

Speaking of the awards, Colm Tóibín said: “When I attended the inaugural reception for the David Cohen Prize in London in 1993, I did not imagine for a moment that my own writing would ever be honoured in this way. Those who have won the Prize in the past are artists whose work I revere. I am proud to be among them.” Established in 1993, the David Cohen Prize for Literature is one of the UK’s most distinguished literary prizes. It recognises writers who use the English language and are citizens of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, encompassing dramatists, as well as novelists, poets and essayists. Former winners include V S Naipaul, Harold Pinter, William Trevor, Doris Lessing, Seamus Heaney, Hilary Mantel and, most recently in 2019, Edna O’Brien. The biennial prize, of £40,000, is for a lifetime’s achievement and is donated by the John S Cohen Foundation. Established in 1965 by David Cohen and his family, the trust supports education, the arts, conservation and the environment. The Chairperson of the judging panel, Hermione Lee, said Colm Tóibín was the judges’ unanimous choice and said: “He’s a deeply perceptive writer who can also be lethally funny and daringly erotic. He’s a truly international figure, and a watchful historian of our times. He’s a beautiful writer of loss and grief, silence and quietness... He’s one of the essential writers of our times,” she said. n

Colm Tóibín

Hallie making an Impact

Enniscorthy based singer-songwriter, Hallie, has just released ‘Impact’ – her 5th single since launching her music career in 2020. It was recently chosen by Hot Press magazine as its track of the day. Hallie says: “Impact is the most stripped back song I’ve released so far! Can’t wait to hear what you guys think!!!” Hallie thanks Orchard Recording Studio in Enniscorthy for recording/mixing/mastering, Ger Kirrane for his piano playing, and Peter O’Hanlon for photography. https://hallie.hearnow.com/impact/ n