Popular outdoor exhibition in Birdhill returns
Image 1 of 6
Some of the artists whose work is on exhibition at the third annual Pollaghs trail near Birdhill.Image 2 of 6
Melissa Ryan (right) co-ordinator of the painting exhbition with Italian born, Giulia Coli and her painting at the exhibition.Image 3 of 6
Helene Moran Rodgers, Ballinahinch, with her painting which is on exhibition at the Art in the Pollaghs.Image 4 of 6
Charlotte Strachan, Puckane, Nenagh, with her painting on exhbition at the Pollaghs.Image 5 of 6
Sean Óg McCarthy, Newport, with his painting which is on exhibition at Art in the Pollaghs.Image 6 of 6
A painting by Megan Gannon, St Mary’s Secondary School, Newport, on display at the exhibition.The colourful outdoor exhibition of artistic paintings ‘Art in the Pollaghs’ set in tranquil surroundings close to the village of Birdhill is up and running for the third year.
Spaced along the popular Pollagh walking trail are more than 80 paintings competing in five categories catering for all ages from kids to adults, which will be adjudicated upon next month with the awarding of prizes in each category.
The theme for this year's entrants is ‘At One With Nature - Stay Wild’, which was described to the entrants as “remembering to take the time to connect with nature, exploring your passions and creating artwork you love”, and advising them that “it is far too easy to get caught up in the chaos of life”.
Co-ordinator is Australian-born local artist, Melissa Ryan, who broadened the area participating to include artists from counties, Tipperary, Limerick and Clare, who were invited to submit their applications to participate earlier in the year.
“We have five categories for adults, both professional and amateur, school groups from St Mary's Secondary School, Newport, Newport College and St Anne's Community College, Killaloe, teens, under 12 years, and we will also have a people's choice award open to the public to vote for their favourite overall painting on Facebook and Instagram,” she explained.
She encouraged the artists to emphasise contrast and variety within their compositions while vividly capturing the light and colour of their subject, whether their work is still life, a landscape or a figurative piece.
“Sit back and ask yourself what makes you the absolute happiest - then go and paint that,” she instructed the participants.
The paintings are all on pine board, measuring 1.3m x 1.3m, which was provided by Birdhill Art Hub, with the paintings in acrylic water based paints and sealed with a clear varnish to make them durable for outdoor conditions. The result is an exhibition of exceptionally artistic paintings, surpassing the standard of previous years, which continue on view to the public spaced along the Pollagh Walking Trail until September 1. The main sponsors are Creative Ireland, and Tipperary County Council, with support from Killaloe Hotel and Spa, Lakeside Hotel, Apple Green, Birdhill, SuperValu, Old Barrack's Coffee Roasters, and Matt the Threshers Inn.