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Art on the Fringe - the full guide

HERE it is – a guide to the various and sundry events and exhibitions coming to Co Kilkenny to coincide with the Kilkenny Arts Festival. The exhibitions run from August 6-15 unless otherwise specified. Enjoy!

Keith Raven in Shirley's Pub, Kells.

An exhibition of works by Keith Raven will be on display in The Mill Room of Shirley's Pub in Kells during the Arts Festival. The main exhibition is from his ongoing project of photographing the priory and mills and capturing the changes that different times and weather bring to them. The photographs have been taken over the last two years. He will also be exhibiting "fringe fringe" photographs of other sites around Kilkenny and Ireland that have captured his imagination.

Phyl Cleere in Cleere's.

An exhibition of oil paintings by Phyl Cleere will be on display at Cleere's, Parliament Street. The exhibition is open from August 3-16.

Daith Holohan in Kilkenny Castle.

An exhibition of watercolours, pen-and-ink drawings and graphite drawings will be on display in the Mezzanine Corridor of Kilkenny Castle from August 6-15. A native of Assumption Place in Kilkenny, the artist completed his studies at the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) and on scholarship in the US.

Frances Walsh, Mary H. Hickey, Sheila Foley, Rebekah McDermott and Mary Gaine in Paris Texas.

An exhibition of works by four artists will be on display in Paris Texas pub on High Street, open from 11am to 7pm daily during the festival. Frances Walsh has been painting and exhibiting successfully for many years. She has combined mosaic and acrylics to her varied media. She depicts scenes of local flora and fauna in vivid colour. Mary H Hickey has exhibited successfully for the last 10 years, through the media of oil and watercolour, showing scenes varying from seascapes to flowers and fauna. This year graphite sketches with a surprising Kilkenny aspect are included in her latest work. Sheila Foley exhibited her vibrant watercolours in St Mary's Hall for during the Arts Festival for several years. Some of her paintings have gone abroad to countries including the US, England, Canada and Belgium. Her work includes landscapes, still-life and flowers. She also has some colourful abstracts. Sheila is a member of the Kilkenny Watercolour Society. Rebekah McDermott has been painting for a number of years and her paintings have been exhibited in group shows in the Eigse Carlow Arts Festival. This year she had a solo show in Lennons Restaurant in VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art. Rebekah has created this body of work in oils. The seascape paintings are inspired by her holidays in Wexford, and the flower paintings and still-lifes explore ideas using glowing colours, a mixture of realistic and abstract forms. Mary Gaine works with many different media, drawing inspiration for her paintings from Kilkenny and surrounding counties. Her work covers a wide range of subjects, and her love of gardening and nature is evident in her floral paintings.

Billy Moore at 27 Patrick Street, Kilkenny.

An exhibition of pen-and-ink drawings by Billy Moore with the theme 'Kilkenny Medieval City' will be on display at 27 Patrick Street from August 6-15. It will be officially opened by Dr T.K. Whitaker on August 5 at 7pm. Billy, a Kilkenny native, graduated from the National College of Art and Design with an Honours Teaching Degree and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Design Education and was resident art teacher at St Benildus College in Dublin. For most of his career he worked as a graphic designer and in 1981 he set up his own graphic design business. He is a member of the Water Colour Society of Ireland and the Dublin Painting and Sketching Club and has exhibited at the RHA and group shows at home and abroad. Over the last 10 years he has organised international watercolour workshops at the Corn Loft Studio in Co Wexford.

Ellen Duggan and Marie Langton at the Ormonde Hotel.

Ellen Duggan and Marie Langton are exhibiting at the foyer of the Ormonde Hotel, Kilkenny. Once again this exhibition promises to be a vibrant, lively exhibition with a selection of still-lifes, people studies, seascapes, landscapes and some life drawing. Each year both these artists are very innovative with their concepts and have progressed their individual styles. Ellen has focused this year on landscapes and people studies with her usual vibrant colour palette. She draws her subject matter from her immediate surroundings including family, friends and local scenes. Marie is showing a selection of still-lifes, some seascapes and has also included some life drawing this year. Her use of colour is minimalist in style but very striking and she has used many textures to get her desired effect. The exhibition opens each day at 11am.

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Larry Wemyss and Ann Lynch in Bollards, Kilkenny.

Artists Larry Wemyss and Ann Lynch, both Kilkenny natives, will be exhibiting their work in Bollards Pub, Kilkenny. Larry began painting as a teenager in the 1960s and started photography in the early 1980s; he will be showing both media in this exhibition. His paintings are in watercolour and his photographic prints are mainly silver prints produced in a darkroom. He is a member of Kilkenny Photographic Society and his work has been shown in the RHA annual exhibition (2009), 50 Years Celebration Exhibition at Kilkenny CBS (2003) and Kilkenny City Walls: A Photographic Essay solo show in Rothe House (2001), among others. Ann is a self-taught artist who paints in oils. The Parliament Street native gets her ideas from photographs and paintings from calendars that she collects on her travels.

Jim Byrne at Ormonde College.

Jim Byrne will be exhibiting painting at the Ormonde College. Jim likes to paint in oils and acrylics. He has been painting for many years and recently returned to college to study art, craft and design at Grennan Mill (FETAC Level 5) and fine art at the Ormonde College (FETAC Level 6).

Sculpture and painting in Castlecomer Discovery Park.

The Carysfort Gallery will host a painting and sculpture exhibition in the Castlecomer Discovery Park. The outdoor sculpture will be exhibited in the historic Estate Yard and the indoor sculpture and paintings will be exhibited in the gallery area of the Visitor Centre. There will also be a Sand Sculpture Exhibit featuring 15-foot-high sand sculptures as well goldsmiths, jewellers, stone carvers, potters, furniture restorers and artists. The exhibition will be open daily from 10am to 6pm.

Roisin Leadbetter at Jerpoint Glass.

'The Dreaming', an exhibition by Roisin Leadbetter, will be on display from August 6-31 at The Glass Attic Gallery, Jerpoint Glass studio. "These images ... represent my feeling of connection with the earth and some of its ancient cultures and the link I feel with those cultures through the medium of the planet Earth," the artist says. The exhibition will be open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm and Sundays from noon to 5pm.

Maeve Doherty in Butler House.

Maeve Doherty returns with her annual exhibition of paintings at Butler House, Patrick Street, Kilkenny. Her award-winning work will include a variety of subject matter, including hurling action, busy street scenes and her trademark floral paintings. Her paintings can also be viewed at the Museum and Art Gallery at Inistioge village during the festival.

Hugo Reidy in the Newpark Hotel.

"I have a passion for all genres of photography; landscape, nature, people, macro and wildlife," says Hugo Reidy, whose work will be on display in the Newpark Hotel. Entitled 'Focused Moments', the prints are from the archive he has created over the years, including local events such as Kilkenny Arts Festivals , KCAT 10-year celebrations and KKSPCA. "In my approach to imaging I always let the colour, composition and timing tell the story," he says. "The images range from the volcanoes of Costa Rica, to the intimate play of leaf shadows and textures on tree trunks in Jenkinstown."

Artists By Night in MacDonagh Junction.

Castlecomer-based jewellery makers Artists By Night will be exhibiting their work in MacDonagh Junction during the festival. Dani and Tia Vellani, whose workshop is based in the Castlecomer Estate Yard, specialise in hand-crafted jewellery from diamonds to stardust and cookie crumbs.

Thomas Brezing and a selection of artists in The Blackbird Gallery.

The Blackbird Gallery at 18 William Street, Kilkenny is presenting the work of AIB Award nominee 2010, Thomas Brezing. Alongside Brezing in this exhibition will be work by artists such as William Grace, Barrie Cooke, Dorothy Cross, Kathleen Holohan, Maria Simmonds-Gooding, Rebecca Peart, Margaret O'Sullivan and more.

Tom Shelley in the Chatsworth Gallery, Castlecomer.

New and selected works by artist Tom Shelley are on display in the Chatsworth Gallery, Chatsworth Street, Castlecomer from August 1-31. Blackberry Time, Sawney's Wood, Oyster Boats, The Dinan River, Moroccan Cavalry and Shades of Night are just a few of the works on show. For more information, contact the artist on 056 4441620.

Claire Bourke, Margery Brady, Berna McQuillan and Mildred Weekes in Irish Nationwide building society.

Works by 'The Tower Painters' – Claire Bourke, Margery Brady, Berna McQuillan and Mildred Weekes – will be on display in the Irish Nationwide building at High Street, Kilkenny. These artists have been painting and exhibiting for over 25 years and paint landscapes in oils, acrylics and watercolours.

DiDi in the former Kenealy's Art Shop.

'Amused', a new exhibition by DiDi, will be on display in the former Kenealy's Art Shop on Patrick Street, Kilkenny from August 5-15. DiDi's love for the ridiculous and sense of humour, combined with her use of vibrant colours, are evident in her oil paintings of city scenes in styles ranging from realism and impressionism to surrealism. Opening hours are 11am to 6pm daily.

Marley Irish in the Hibernian Hotel.

'Country Style', an exhibition of works by Marley Irish, is on display in the Hibernian Hotel. The exhibition consists of farming and rural scenes, including such images as 'the Kilmoganny Hunt in full swing'.

Sheelagh Duff in the Capuchin Friary, Kilkenny.

Embroidered works by Sheelagh Duff will be on display in the meeting room of the Capuchin Friary, Kilkenny (access from Pennyfeather Lane). The exhibition consists of 12 embroidery panels in which the artist has 'adorned' an icon of a previous artist, thereby celebrating both the artist and the Madonna or saint depicted. The exhibition will be open from 11am to 6pm daily.

Mary Dillon in CBS Secondary School, Kilkenny.

Mary Dillon will be showing her recent work in an exhibition entitled 'Other Colours' in the CBS Secondary School, James's Street, Kilkenny. Since last year's exhibition, she has been busy painting in her studio in Glascloon, Roscrea, Co Tipperary and in Skiathos, Greece, where she gives two watercolour master classes in September and May each year. This exhibition will be open from 10.30am to 5.30pm daily.

Peter Scroope in 'The Coach House', Williams Lane.

Peter Scroope will be showing work at his gallery space 'The Coach House' on Williams Lane (just off the Dublin Road, before going under the bridge to Nowlan Park). The work, which is sculptural and all made in high-fired porcelain, is inspired by the natural fluid shapes and patterns caused by water, the delicate ripples left on sand, or huge boulders shaped by erosion. This 'theme' started a number of years ago for an exhibition called 'Seomra' at La Galerie SEMA in Paris, The Crafts Council of Ireland's first ever show with the prestigious flagship gallery in France. The same theme was explored as part of another group show called 'Organic Geometry', which was hosted by Kilkenny's own National Craft Gallery last year. His show opens on August 7 at 6pm and continues from noon to 7pm each day until August 15.

5 to 6 Women's Art Project at John's Green, Kilkenny.

'Home', an exhibition of work by participants in the 5 to 6 Women's Art Project, will be on display in their space at John's Green, Kilkenny. Exhibiting artists include Breda Barrett, Eimear Burke, Lindsey Butler, Theresa Carroll, Mags Dunne, Ann Marie Fitzgerald, Siobhan Hegarty, Luzia Koetter, Claire Larkin, Maeve Lynch, Marika Manning, Alison O'Flynn, Marie O'Shea, Bee O'Sullivan, Sinead O'Sullivan, Sophie Walsh and Rebecca Wright.

Aileen Kavanagh at 51b Kieran Street.

A collection of landscape and still-life in oils and acrylics by Aileen Kavanagh will be showing at 51b Kieran Street, Kilkenny.

Joan Fitzgerald Cahill in The Blackberry Cafe, Thomastown.

A new collection of etchings, carborundum and drypoint limited-edition prints by Joan Fitzgerald Cahill will be on display at The Blackberry Cafe in Thomastown until the end of August. This collection of prints is the result of a year's intense study of the discipline. Originally from Tramore in Co Waterford, Joan resides in Thomastown and is a regular exhibitor on the Kilkenny art scene.

South-East Woodturners in the Ormonde College.

The South-East Woodturners group will be exhibiting their work at the Ormonde College, Ormonde Road, Kilkenny. The group is made up of 10 woodturners from Kilkenny and the surrounds. The display includes a wide range of items, the majority of woods used are native Irish and many are sourced locally.

Brock Butler in the Market Cross.

Brock Butler will be exhibiting his work in the Market Cross Shopping Centre, in the unit beside SWALK on the ground floor. The show includes several works by the artist, including the interestingly titled 'The True Object of Her Desire' – or, in full, 'Little did Jeannette Macdonald realise that the pumpkin was just a pumpkin, that the snake was real and (possibly poisonous) , that the Matisse potted plant – the true object of her desire – was in fact a forgery. She had no interest whatsoever in whatever was going on with the two white doves, nor in why they wore crowns (some kind of reference to J.M. Basquiat but she would of course have had no way of knowing this). As for the dice, they had nothing to do with anything..... or did they???'

Raymond Osborn in Coolagh Hall.

An exhibition of watercolour paintings by Raymond Osborn, a professional artist living in Coolagh near Callan, will be held in Coolagh Hall from August 6-15. A designer by profession, Raymond originally took up painting as a hobby and as a way to 'unwind'. For a number of years now he has been painting full time. His preferred medium is watercolour, which he likes for its unpredictability and the 'happy accidents' which occur in most paintings. Throughout the festival, Raymond will also have an exhibition of his work in Mother of Fair Love School, James's Street, Kilkenny. To find Coolagh Hall: From Kilkenny, take the Clonmel Road (N76) and drive for about nine miles until you reach the Callan bypass, which you stay on until you reach a turn to the left for Piltown/Windgap (R698). Drive for three miles on this road until you reach Coolagh Church. Turn right at the Church and the hall is about 100 metres up on the left. The exhibition will be open from 11am to 6pm daily.

Rachel Burke, Ruair Carroll, Andrew Ludick, Anne Ryan McGree and Niamh Moran at Butler Court, Kilkenny.

A group of five artists are showing their work in a two-storey building at Butler Court on Patrick Street, Kilkenny during the festival. A diverse mix of media – watercolours, acrylic ink paintings, print, sculpture and ceramics – will feature work by Rachel Burke, Ruair Carroll, Andrew Ludick, Anne Ryan McGree and Niamh Moran, following on from the success of the Estate Yard Show at 4 William Street, Kilkenny last year. The show runs from August 6-15 and will be open from 11am to 7pm daily, and noon to 6pm on Sundays.

Pat O'Dwyer in the Newpark Hotel.

Cork artist Pat O'Dwyer returns to the Newpark Hotel this year. A mainly self-taught artist, his preferred medium is oils and he loves to use his palette knife to create energy and texture in his paintings. Pat is a member of coastartcollective.com and is an active member of Cork's "Art in the Park", which exhibits most weeks in Cork. His exhibition in the Newpark starts tomorrow (Thursday) at 7pm and finishes on August 15 at 5pm. The artist will be giving demonstrations at 2.30pm on August 11, 12 and 13. All are welcome.

Gifts by Grainne.

Gifts by Grainne will be on display during the festival. Grainne Quinn, based in Kilkenny, started Gifts by Grainne 12 months ago and has developed a niche in the customised costume jewellery sector. Grainne sources her raw materials from a variety of sources and crafts them into unique pieces of jewellery.

Catherine Green at Growing Greener Irish country stores, Thomastown.

'A Doodle A Day' is the title of a site-specific installation by Catherine Green at Growing Greener Irish country stores, The Bridge, Thomastown. The installation draws from the artist's impressions of the space and awareness of Angelita's enchanting, bubbly personality and the fact that her young baby (Siena Liz) is always with her. Catherine used only basic materials, and each day a different thought was turned into a doodle, almost a child-like quality of playing, lost in imagination, turning colour, line and form into magical gardens full of life and fun, other days a quiet meditative space, but always full of colour. The exhibition will be open Monday to Wednesday from 10am to 6pm and Thursday to Saturday from 9am to 6pm.

Laura Moran at the Ormonde College.

Laura Moran will exhibit a selection of acrylic paintings examining the existence of the honeybee. The exhibition will take place at the Ormonde College, Kilkenny from August 7-15. All are welcome.

Trudi Doyle, Tony Oakey, Carmel Fenlon, Jackie Power, Jack O'Hare and Donal S O'Braonai in the Club House Hotel.

The Club House Hotel, "Kilkenny's Vintage Hotel", has been synonyms with the arts for over 200 years, and this year the hotel is hosting exhibitions by six artists. Trudi Doyle specialises in watercolours but also works in acrylics, oils and pastels. Her work can be found in private and public collections around Ireland and throughout the world. Trudi works from Bunbury Arts Studio in Ballyconnell, Co Carlow. Tony Oakey's "Out of This World" is the latest exhibition by the artist who has been showing his work in the Club House Hotel for 16 years. Tony's surreal style of painting and his quirky way of looking at the world around us makes his art unique. This promises to be Tony's most colourful work yet with beautiful seascapes and vivid landscapes. Carmel Fenlon's exhibition "Grey Scales" features portraits, landscapes and still-life, with works in various media including oil, pastel and charcoal. Carmel is a fine artist based in Co Wexford. Her work was selected for the prestigious "Davy Portrait Awards" this year. Jackie Power, a native of Ballybriken in Waterford, was a master cutter for Waterford Crystal for 30 years. His watercolours of Irish rural and costal scenes have attained a great reputation in recent years. Jackie has just completed a new series "Irish County Scenes". Jack O'Hare, grandson of English Midland artist C. Brough, has been painting all his life, and concentrates mostly on watercolours. Jack's work can be seen in The Waterford Municipal Gallery as well as exhibitions around the country. He is the founder member of the Dunmore East watercolour group, where he now spends much of his time. Donal S O'Braonai is a native of New Ross but spent many years as an exhibiting artist in the RDS Dublin. Danny has been painting in a variety of media for over 40 years. A childhood spent on the Barrow inspired his love of boats and his translucent river scenes show his love of light and reflections.

Maree J O'Sullivan-Long in the Newpark Hotel.

Silk paintings and acrylics by Maree J O'Sullivan-Long will be on display at the Newpark Hotel. "In my silk paintings, I love the visual effects of paint and its reaction to the silk and the freedom of the paint as it takes on a life of its own once it hits the silk and the colours merge together," she says. "As a florist, flowers have shaped my identity and directed me towards painting large blooms such as poppies, sunflowers etc. Also coming from West Cork and being near the sea, my love of fish is evident in my paintings and their vibrant colours." Her work hangs in several galleries and is regularly featured in group exhibitions in Cork City, West Cork and Wicklow.

Claire Bourke in The Art Caf and The Book Centre.

'Through the Lens', an exhibition by photographic artist Claire Bourke will be on display in The Art Caf, Kieran Street, Kilkenny. Originally from Castlecomer and now living in Kilkenny, Claire has had a great interest in photography since her early 20s. Being an oil and watercolour artist has given her an eye for form, colour and perspective. She is also a member of the Tower Painters Group. Her photograph "Daffodil Fields" won a certificate of merit from the Gallery of Photography of Ireland in their Millennium competition and "Duck Notice" was published as part of 'Mooney Goes Wild' in the Irish Examiner wildlife competition. She has also featured in the "South East Ireland Holiday Guide" published by Filte Ireland South East, and St Canice's Kilkenny Credit Union calendars. Her photographs will also be on display in the window of The Book Centre, Kilkenny.

Laurence O'Toole on John Street, Kilkenny.

Laurence O'Toole will be a featured artist in an exhibition by Gormleys Fine Art during the festival. The exhibition will take place on John Street, Kilkenny in a premises beside the River Court Hotel.

Film night in Ryan's pub.

A film night will take place in Ryan's pub, Friary Street on August 12 at 8.30pm. Screenings will include Mayfair Ballroom Kilkenny 1951, an 8mm film which promises to be of great interest to local folk; Gleesons Pub, Walkin Street 1970s, an insight into times past featuring many local characters; and the debut screening of The Rocky Road To Dublin, a controversial film made in Dublin in 1968 by director Peter Lennon. Admission is 5 euro with all proceeds going to the Susie Long Hospice Fund.

Sheelagh Cross at the Tholsel.

An exhibition of oil paintings by Sheelagh Cross will be on display at the Tholsel, High Street, Kilkenny. Sheelagh studied art and design in Cambridge and Hertfordshire, and over 15 years her work has become part of private and public collections. Her exhibition will be open from 11am to 6pm.

Six artists in Broderick's Music Warehouse.

Broderick's Music Warehouse, New Building Lane (just off Parliament Street) will host an exhibition of photographs by six local artists, a mix of established professionals and up-and-coming photographers. Starting this Friday, the exhibition will feature a variety of photographs that deal with many topics and themes. Some photographs have been taken as far afield as America, while others were shot much closer to home.

Andrew Prendergast at Winton Studio.

This year's festival will see Andrew Prendergast exhibit in his own gallery in Gowran. Since launching his first exhibition in Butler House in 2002, the demand for Andrew's work has grown, with portrait, equestrian, private homes and public building commissions taking up much of his time. Winton Studio also hosts the work of visiting artists and is currently showing paintings by Wexford artist Anastasia O'Donoghue and local woodturned Paul O'Donnell. Winton Studio is located near Gowran Park Racecourse and Championship Golf Course.

Joy Thorpe at 1 The Parade.

Exhibiting her work at No. 1, The Parade, Kilkenny will be Joy Thorpe, a Kilkenny-based textile artist who specialises in hand-finished printed silk art pieces. Joy's work is inspired by memories and kept artifacts including postcards, ceramics, lace and old letters. These images are layered with her own contemporary photography, and time-honored skills such as embroidery and collage are mixed with new digital techniques to produce the images, which are then printed on silk and stretched over a handmade frame. Joy is especially known for her large-scale silk prints, and for this exhibition she has also created a limited number of smaller pieces.

Mike Cantwell at Campions.

Paintings by Mike Cantwell will be on show at Campions, Irishtown, Kilkenny during the Arts Festival. Kilkenny is again the subject of his work, with landscapes from Freshford to Muckalee and the streets of Kilkenny.

Art and Craft at Ormonde College.

An exhibition at the Ormonde College will include over 40 exhibitors, with work including wood crafted bowls, hand-turned jewellery and original works of art by well-established artists. Exhibitors include Ann O'Keefe Camon (oils), Mary Brennan (oils and watercolours), John Doyle (oils), Patricia Clifford (oils and mixed media), Liz McGuire (oils), Boyer Phelan (oils and mixed media), Laura Moran (acrylics), Jim Byrne (photography), Jenny Quinn (custom jewellery), South East Woodturners (wood creations) and Waterford Homecrafts (traditional and contemporary arts and crafts).

Kevin Fennelly and Gemma Walsh in Kells Scouts Hall.

Kevin Fennelly and Gemma Walsh are having an exhibition in Kells Scouts Hall during this year's festival. Gemma was involved in last year's exhibition in Mullins Mill and painted the murals inside the Scouts Hall in Kells. She is renowned for her mosaics and is a unique artist. Kevin has created an Adam and Eve sculpture this year, along with paintings, in a different style of art to the norm. He will also have his usual river art exhibition at the river at Mullins Mill. His sculpture is also due to go up for the Susie Long Hospice Fund in October.

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