Feast Of Art Exhibitions For Down

Fine And Applied Art Exhibition For Grove Gallery ARTISTS and those with a penchant for fine art will not be disappointed in the next few weeks as several excellent art exhibitions burst on to the local scene. Down’s busy art community has been beavering away producing works of art, literally, for public displays. Running from 5th-30th September in the Grove Art Gallery in the St Patrick Centre is a fine and applied art exhibition by eight artists who have studied at the University of Ulster and who have since developed careers in different branches of art. Down News chatted to local artist Roisin Kelly who was busy hanging the items for display. She said, “Most of the exhibitors are from Downpatrick and are  former SERC students. We have been advised by our art lecturer Charles Walsh to display our art. It’s a good way to get feedback from people on what they think of our art. [caption id="attachment_27688" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="A creative photograph touching on the subject of domestic abuse. The other photograph is on the perpetrator, the dog."][/caption] “The works on display are of a contemporary and conceptual style, and most will be for sale. There will also be some photography exhibits. Also, there will be some ceramics on display from Aine Mckenna, who has studied her craft at Stoke. “This will be a quality exhibition and we are all looking forward to it. Most of the artists have shown their works at a number of galleries and venues before.” Donny To Sell Paintings For Trocaire Downpatrick artist, 87-year old Donny Maguire, who is still a leading light in the Downpatrick School of Lifesaving,  is presenting an exhibition in aid of Trocaire on Friday 16^th September at 8.00pm in St Michael’s Parish Centre in Irish Street, Downpatrick. Donny said, “The art works, all hand-painted originals by myself, are mostly in acrylics but some are in pastels and drawings. They cover portraits, icons,  biblical scenes, landscapes, and Greek mythology and there is even a lovely painting of the old Salt Box cottages. A number of the paintings will be offered at half the normal price and no reasonable offer will be refused for the remainder. Proceeds from the exhibition and sale will be donated to Trocaire for their emergency famine relief appeal. [caption id="attachment_27689" align="alignright" width="400" caption="87-year old artist Donny Maquire with a painting of the old Salt Box cottages in Downpatrick. He will be exhibiting and selling his works for Trocaire on Friday 16th September in St Michael's Centre."][/caption] “It is for  a good cause,” said Donny. “Visitors to the centre will be able to view them for a couple of days after the launch on Friday evening.” Down Community Arts  Provide ‘Art Off  The Wall’ Already there have been a couple of successful art exhibitions held just outside the St Patrick Centre in the sqaure in Downpatrick with artists hanging their works in the open air. This ‘Art Off the Wall’ initiative has been set up by Down Community Arts and arts officer Philip Campell who said “it has gone well so far creating a lot of public interest. We plan to continue with this in the future and run another bigger event soon. If it rains we can take all the paintings inside to the St Patrick Centre. “It is really a great opportunity for amateur/professional Artists and crafters to showcase and sell work. “We would encourage everyone interested in exhibiting and selling their work to join in. Our Arts Off The Rails Project will run on the 1st Saturday of every month at the St Patrick Centre Downpatrick. The event is open to everyone and all you require is the will to come along and show your work. There will be a small fee of £5 to cover costs at the event. http://www.downcommunityarts.org Killyleagh Church Roof Fundraiser In Killyleagh an art exhibition and sale will be held on Saturday 10th September from 10-4pm to help raise funds for St Mary’s Church for the church roof fund. Christopher Quinn, one of the organisers, said, “Tickets will be on sale for a racing horse painting by well-known Killyleagh artist Leo Casement which he very kindly donated.  Tickets will be selling for £5.00 each fro the painting and the draw takes place at the parish bazaar on Sunday 27th November. “If you would like to buy a ticket but can’t make the exhibition you can contact the parish office after 19th September and arrange to purchase one from there. A number of quality local artists will be showing their works on the day.”]]>