The Arts Office, Laois County Council hosts regular exhibitions at Laois Arthouse, Stradbally – to view upcoming or previous shows visit the Arthouse website
In Trust. In Gratitude. In Hope. Laois Arthouse celebrates its 10th anniversary with a new exhibition
Laois County Council is pleased to present In Trust. In Gratitude. In Hope. 10 Years at the Laois Arthouse, an exhibition featuring the work of over 60 artists who have been part of the Laois Arthouse programme since its establishment in 2011 by Laois County Council Arts Service. This anniversary exhibition is a unique opportunity for the artists and Laois County Council to celebrate the achievement of 10 years of exhibition making, artist hosting and creative place making with the surrounding community of Stradbally, County Laois and beyond.
The exhibition curated by Clonaslee native Monica Flynn was formally opened by Kevin Kavanagh of Kevin Kavanagh Gallery Dublin on 4th December, 2021 and is open to all members of the public, including groups and schools until Friday 27th May, 2022. The exhibition is accompanied by a publication which is available at €10 at Laois Arthouse. Muireann Ní Chonaill, Arts Officer & Creative Ireland Coordinator, Laois County Council said: “We are delighted to be celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Laois Arthouse. We invite everyone to visit and enjoy the creativity of the artists from Laois and nationally who have contributed to this celebratory exhibition of artworks, inspired by a poem ‘The Window Seat’ by one of Ireland’s leading poets Pat Boran. In Trust. In Gratitude. In Hope. has generated much public interest locally and nationally. Visitor numbers to the exhibition have been steady and our doors are wide open for schools and groups interested in coming to view it with a free guided tour available. Prior booking is essential at Laois County Council Arts Office and advance exhibition material can be provided.” Recently children from St Colman’s N.S Stradbally visited the Laois Arthouse with a tour facilitated by one of the exhibition artists – Rennie Buenting. The 4th class children responded very positively to the visit and Sarah said: “Oh the art gallery! It was the very best. It saved us from our Friday test. I loved all the art and animations too. You should really go there!” Shareefa said: “I loved the Arthouse. I never went to an exhibition before so it was really exciting. The art was really cool. 10/10.“ As part of the 10th anniversary celebration at the Laois Arthouse, a panel discussion entitled Till Something Moves…will take place on Saturday 12th March, 2pm – 5pm. This event will explore how to create the optimum conditions for sustaining creative work as visual artists and writers, and what role do Studio Spaces and Residencies play in creating space and opportunity for focus? A number of the exhibiting 64 artists will be in attendance. Prior booking will be essential with further details on Laois Arts social media channels and at Laois County Council Arts Office Due to the heightened local and national interest in this important exhibition In Trust. In Gratitude. In Hope. is now being extended until the end of May 2022. The exhibition is open to the public from Tuesday – Friday, 1pm to 4pm. Admission is free. For more information on school and group tours and the Till Something Moves panel discussion event on Saturday 12th June, email artsoff@laoiscoco.ie and/or visit www.arthouse.ie.
In Trust. In Gratitude. In Hope. is supported by Creative Ireland Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme in partnership with Laois County Council, and the Arts Council.
Exhibition Runs: Tuesday 7th December – Friday 27th May 2022
Opening Times: Tuesday-Friday 1pm to 4pm
Admission to the exhibition and events are free. Full details about the opening and events at: www.arthouse.ie
Web & Social Media Links
www.arthouse.ie Facebook: @LaoisArts Twitter: @LaoisArts Instagram: @LaoisArts
On permanent display at Áras an Chontae, Portlaoise is a set of ten giclée prints by artist Brendon Deacy titled “Siorai” . Brendon was commissioned by Laois County Council to produce an exhibition as part of the James Fintan Lalor School 2014. This series of iconic paintings revitalise Lalor’s words with images of contemporary Ireland and signify his relevance today. Lalor’s words are portrayed in the style of the posters of his time and presented in the typefaces of that period. Each painting has been faithfully reproduced as a limited editioned giclée print, measuring 360x520mm, individually signed and numbered by the artist. Only twenty prints of each painting were released for sale. Laois County Council purchased this complete first edition of the giclée prints. The work can by viewed Mon-Fri by appointment by contacting 057 8664033.
Laois County Council have a collection of artworks, purchased over the years on display throughout the Council buildings, including works by Cathy Carman, John Keating, Jock Nichol, and local and nationally know artists.
Laois main Exhibition spaces include:
The Dunamaise Arts Centre
T: 057 8663355
W: www.dunamaise.ie
Laois Arthouse Gallery, Stradbally, Co Laois
T: 057 86641740
E: artsoff@laoiscoco.ie
W: www.arthouse.ie
The Gallery @ Abbeyleix Library, Abbeyleix, Co Laois
T: 057 8730020
W: dev.laois.ie
Mountmellick Library & Art Gallery, O’Moore St, Mountmellick, Co Laois
T: 057 8644572
W: dev.laois.ie