Cavan County Council Arts Office and Cavan Libraries are delighted to continue collaboration with The Tyrone Guthrie Centre on the second touring exhibition which brings together a small number of the marvellous artworks that belong to the collection. The exhibition was selected by Robert Mc Donald, Director of the Centre and Sinead McArdle, Librarian. Cllr Madeleine Argue, Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council speaking at the opening at the Cootehill Arts Festival said “I want to acknowledge the generosity and professionalism of Robert Mc Donald and the Board of Directors at the Tyrone Guthrie Arts Centre. This is the second year of this partnership and Sinead Mc Ardle, Cootehill Library and Mr Mc Donald from the Centre made a great choice in the selection for this show”. The exhibition was opened by poet Theo Dorgan and hundreds of visitors viewed the work as part of the festival. A mono print workshop by Monaghan based Eileen Ferguson was well received and took place in conjunction with Culture Night at the Cootehill Library.
This was followed by six weeks at the Bailieborough Library. The artist Rikki van den Berg, who is one of the featured artists in the exhibition provided appreciation workshops for classes from St Anne’s National School and The Model School, Bailieborough. A total of fifty-seven, 3rd and 4th class children participated in these workshops. The children were introduced to the various art pieces and were invited to respond and interpret through their own work. Fiona Burke, librarian Bailieborough said “The pupils showed great enthusiasm and their teachers Mr John Donnellan, Ms Oonagh Smyth and Mrs Myrtle Griffiths provided positive feedback on the experience to the library staff”.
The exhibition will remain at the Johnston Central Library, Cavan until late Janurary. Rikki van den Berg facilitated art appreciation with forty-eight children from 5th and 6th class at Corlurgan National School and St Felim’s Boys School, Cavan. A series of appreciation events are planned for January 2019 and can be booked in advance with the Johnston Central Library at 049 4378500. This touring exhibition is organised by Cavan County Council arts office. The arts office acknowledges the valuable partnership with the Tyrone Guthrie Centre Cavan County Council Arts Office is supported by the Arts Council in the long term development work of the arts in the County.
The complete selection for the 2018 Tyrone Guthrie Exhibition can be viewed here
About the Tyrone Guthrie Centre
The Tyrone Guthrie Centre at Annaghmakerrig is a residential workplace for artists, dedicated to supporting and facilitating creativity. At the Centre artists can find peace and quiet to develop their work, together with the stimulation of living alongside other artists from all disciplines, enabling a rich cross-fertilization of ideas.
Annaghmakerrig belongs to the Irish State. It was the home of the great theatre director, Sir William Tyrone Guthrie, who died in 1971, leaving it to the Irish State, as an artist’s retreat. Guthrie’s dream was pursued by visionary and dedicated people through both Arts Councils in Ireland at a time of deep political division. The old house was skilfully converted and Annaghmakerrig opened its doors to its first residents in October 1981.
Since opening the ‘The Big House’ as it is affectionately known, has hosted thousands of artists from Ireland North and South and from all over the world. Over the years in gratitude of their experience artists have donated artworks and added to the Tyrone Guthrie Collection.
Photos: Cllr Madeleine Argue, Cavan County Council, Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Robert Mc Donald, Director of the Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Theo Dorgan, poet and audience members at the Cootehill Arts Festival.