Ann Brennan from Ballingarry, Tipperary - exhibited in the Newpark Hotel Kilkenny during Kilkenny Arts Week 2008. The photo shows Ann and two other exhibiting artists (Judy Shinnick and Donal O’Braonain) taking a break during the exhibition.

Judy Shinnick, Ann Brennan, Donal O'Braonain

August Bank Holiday saw over 100 artists painting out in Wexford Town for ‘Art in the Open 2008,’ a 3-day plein air painting festival.

Adjudicators, Bob Lynn, Paddy Lennon and Jim Doolan with Tony Robinson of Pigyard Gallery

Sponsored prizes worth over €4000, a civic reception, craic, sunshine and the chance to watch how others approach the urban and estuarial landscape of Wexford were the main attractions. Professional and amateur painters took part in this unusual event, culminating in a mammoth ‘wet’ exhibition in White’s Hotel on the Monday and Tuesday 4th and 5th August.

John Cullinane enjoying a break at Art in the Open 2008

Visitors to the show had the opportunity to disagree with adjudicators. Jim Doolan, Paddy Lennon and Bob Lynn by voting for their own favourite painting, the ‘People’s Choice’. Overall winner of the Mayoral Award, was Tramore artist, Sarah Richards. Other award-winners were Jock Nichol (Birr), David Nolan (Dublin), Paul O’Kane (Belfast), Frank Sanford (Kinvara), and Judy Shinnick (Ardmore). People’s Choice winners were, Jacinta Crowley-Long, Nicola Kennedy and Margaret Kent, whose prizes are Winsor & Newton artists’ materials. A scaled-down version of the show continues at the Pigyard Gallery, Wexford.

An exhibition of new works by painter Karen Wilson and ceramic sculptor Joe Mallon opened at Gallery Zozimus. The exhibition was opened by Mr Frank Buckley, board member of IMMA.

Karen Wilson making a presentation to Frank X.Buckley whilst Joe Mallon Looks on.

Kate J. McCarthy, Charlie Meehan and Marie-Claire McGann at the exhibition launch

Ellen Braende’s Solo Show called ‘All Smithfield’ opened at 79 Francis Street, Dublin 8 on August 7th.

Ena and Councillor Tom Stafford at the exhibition opening.
Ellen Braende was born in Oslo, Norway in 1959 but has been living in Dingle, Co. Kerry for the last ten years. While visiting Dublin she went to the first Sunday of the month horse fair at Smithfield. She was fascinated by the clash of old and new, modern buildings surrounding cobbled streets, the old distillery and bareback riders trotting piebalds when the guards backs are turned. Ellen has gathered many images and put them together on canvas and board to capture the spirit of the place. Hopefully her paintings will somehow preserve its place in the history of “Dirty Dublin”.

The exhibition continues until September 4th.

Robert Moss at the exhibition opening.

Chasing Butterflies - A la chasse aux papillons a new body of works by Nell
Collins recently opened at the Alliance Française Gallery, Cork. A large
gathering from the artistic world in Cork as well as admirers and fans of
Nell’s work turned out in huge numbers for the opening launch. Large part of
work on show was painted in the romantic medieval Dordoygne region.

Nell Collins, artist at the opening of her exhibition
Well known Cork artist Kevin Sanquest officially opened the exhibition. Nora
Callanan, President and Hélène Duquin, Director of Alliance welcomed guests,
who included Nell’s partner Yvan, their two daughters Florentine and Ely -
all just returned from Paris to live in Cork, Prof.Grace Neville, Alicia St
Leger, researcher, Emily Callanan, Rushbrooke, Pierre Pichon, Premanon
France, Vytene Laucyte, Cultural Coordinator, Monica O’Mahony, La Gallerie,
Declan Hassett, writer, Dr Liam O’Connell, Katie and Don Cullinane,
Monkstown, Ludovic Fagette, Science Po Paris.

Hélène Duquin, Director of Alliance Francaise and Kevin Sanquest, artist
and marketing director Progressive News and Media

At the opening in the Sebastian Guinness Gallery:

Lats Friday July 4th 2008 saw the opening of an exhibition by the students of the art school “Stiúideo na Corribe,” run by Galway-based, London-born artist Jim Kavanagh. The exhibition took place in the The White Room Gallery.

Bernie Murphy (artist), Ita King (artist) and Jim Kavanagh (instructor) at the exhibition opening.

Ann Brennan opened her exhibition of contemporary and abstract works in the Sous Le Vent restaurant in Thurles. The exhibition continues until the end of July.

Ann Brennan (artist) with Brendan O’Donnell and Marcus Engelsma the proprietors of the Sous Le Vent restaurant.

A major new acquisition of a large-scale painting by the celebrated Irish-born artist Sean Scully was unveiled today (Friday 27 June) by the Irish Museum of Modern Art. Titian’s Robe, 2008, is one of Scully’s new series of paintings on aluminium and as such adds significantly to IMMA’s holding of works by the artist, ranging over almost 30 years. The work was purchased with a grant from the American Ireland Fund, which was made possible by a gift to the Fund by the American businessman and contemporary art collector Kevin Burke and his family.

Sean Scully, Titian’s Robe, 2008, Oil on aluminium, 110.1″ x 160.3″
(279.6 x 407.2 cm), Collection Irish Museum of Modern Art

This collection of paintings by Ken Browne was influenced by the music of Estonion composer, Arvo Part, and specifically the recording of Spiegel im Spiegel (Mirror in the Mirror) from 1978. It opened at the Signal Arts Centre, Bray on Thursday 29th May 2008.

Ken Browne (artist), Liam Madden and Dick Massey (from “The Commitments”) at the exhibition opening.

The exhibition continues until Sunday 8th June.