Related Stories

• School’s musical is a theatrical blast from the past
  
  
• Driving simulator a help for students
  
  
• Irish Traveller inspires Friday prayer meeting
  
  
• Michael the toast of Tallow Tóstal
  
  
• Brand Lismore caption competition
  
  
• Assurance sought that Lismore fire station won’t be downgraded
  
  
• Neighbourhood Watch receives funding
  
  
• 2013 Charleville Show launched
  
  
• Historic graveyard exhibition a success
  
  
• McGrath – Hospital reconfiguration has ups and downs
  
  
• Cakes and crafts in aid of St Joseph’s
  
  
• Kilbehenny gears up for cycle in aid of community hall
  
  

Some of the paintings by Burncourt artists, which are on display upstairs in the Craft Granary in Cahir until May 31. Photo: Sandra Quinn

Many of the artists who take part in the weekly workshops in Burncourt started out because it was a hobby, but over the years instructor Sue Bickley has watched them grow and develop as artists - their first ever exhibition is on display in the Craft Granary in Cahir until May 31.

The current group who take part in the workshops, that run from September until May in Burncourt hall at 8pm  Thursday nights include: Anne Loughlin, Michael Leonard, Rose Cleary and Breeda Fitzgerald, all from Burncourt and from Clogheen, Ann and Michael Condon and Carmel O'Connor.

Many of them came to art as a hobby in retirement or as something different to do outside of work and it has quite a strong social element, as it allowed them to get to know other people from the area with similar interests. The work on display in the Craft Granary is truly breathtaking, as the artists used different paints, techniques and mediums to achieve landscapes that were both striking and unique in their depictions.

CREATIVE SIDE

Breeda Fitzgerald came into the group completely new to art and when her friend Rose Cleary asked her to come along, she thought she would try it out. She said that at the start her painting skills were quite basic, but that over time, she embraced the challenge of pushing her art further and she said that Sue is very patient and encouraging.

Breeda said that the exhibition has helped her to see how far she has come along since she first went to a workshop and she said that there is a nice feeling of accomplishment when you see your work displayed with others.

Similarly, Rose Cleary had not done art since school and she said that the workshop gave her the chance to explore her hobby. She said that she would definitely do an exhibition again and said that she has seen people's confidence grow within the group. Rose said that the workshop is very relaxing and informal, as everyone works on what they want at their own pace.

SOCIAL ELEMENT

Another member, Michael Leonard, uses  art as something to do that is completely separate and different to his daily work and he said that it gives him a creative outlet. He said that at the start, people were cautious and a little embarrassed, but now he has seen how the artists have come into their own and he said that Sue's way of running the workshop leaves it very open to creative expression and interpretation.

Michael said that they hope to display some of their work during The Gathering in Burncourt from July 12, to show people what they do and perhaps bring some new members into the artist workshop.

Sue Bickley, who runs the workshop, said that she would describe herself as a facilitator rather than an art teacher, as she is there to help and guide, rather than to tell them what to do. She gathers up visual materials to bring to the workshops and lets the participants choose from pictures and images, so that they are painting something which inspires them.

"I try to get people to feel where their creativity lies, we all have it, however much people say that they can't draw, we are all creators and we all have that creative spark - we just need to find it," she said.

Sue hopes that the Burncourt artists will hold an exhibition again and she hosts workshops in Burncourt on Thursdays at 8pm and in Cahir on Tuesday nights from September until May, breaking for the summer.

blog comments powered by Disqus