Green is not the only colour for Greenway Artists

The first official group exhibition by Mayo art collective The Greenway Artists opened on Thursday last, September 29, in the Mulranny Park Hotel, by Catherine Marshall, senior curator at the Irish Museum of Modern Art. Twenty eight visual artists are participating in the exhibition, and the contrasting styles and techniques showcase the exciting diversity of artwork being produced in the county.
The show includes work by artists John Rowland, Ger Sweeney’s, Tony Pilbro, Brigitte Groth Neumann, Pam Gray, Maureen O’Neill, John Brady and Jane Dunn. Photography is well represented too, with Michael McLaughlin, Michael Gannon and Conor McKeown showing some engaging pieces.
The Greenway Artists Initiative involves at present a total of 55 professional Mayo artists – and they are always looking for more. The project, the brainchild of Maureen O’Neill, has grown at a ferocious pace in the ten weeks since its birth.
The art exhibition in Mulranny Park Hotel is just the beginning for this dynamic and zealous group. In the coming months, they will be starting new ventures in Newport and Westport and running classes, talks, workshops and art and sculpture trails around the areas.

The Greenway Artists exhibition in the Mulranny Park Hotel will run until October 13. For more information on the Greenway Artists Initiative, contact Maureen O’Neill on 085 721 1863 or e-mail derrycooldrimmm@yahoo.ie .

8 Week Painting Class

An 8 week painting and drawing class will commence in Derradda Community Centre on Monday the 26th of September from 7pm to 9pm.

This class will be an introduction to the basic techniques of drawing and painting for all levels. Participants will be encouraged to create and develop original ideas through various media.


Absolute beginners - have no fear, the tutor Anthony Pilbro will be assisting you to develop your confidence and ideas.


This introductory class is part of the Greenway Artists initiative and will be the start of further classes for all levels.


The costs of the class is 15 Euros per person , inclusive of materials. For further information and to book contact Maureen O'Neill


Telephone: 085 7211863.

Natural Elements by Maureen O Neill

Opening night



Two of the many pieces on display.



On Sunday 21st August, the first of the exhibitions from the Greenway Artists took place in Mulranny Park hotel.


Natural Elements by Maureen O Neill was the first solo exhibition and will run until the 11th of September. Turtle Bunbury, renowned author, historian and tv presenter was on hand to officially open the exhibition.

It was a very successful opening night and the Greenway Artists Initiative look forward to the many exciting activities that are in the pipe line in the coming months.

The exhibition by this Newport based artist comprises of a selection of mainly textured work and according to Maureen herself, "The work is a reflection of my natural surroundings", it has a direct relationship to my daily life, family and living on a farm so close to Clew Bay.

Her layered paintings are built up slowly and is at present exploring surface and texture quaility through different mediums. Maureen’s depictions of Ireland's people and landscape, are an exciting fusion of the contemporary and the traditional.

Derradda / Green Way Artists Closed Exhibit

The exhibition took place in Derradda Community Centre in Burrishoole, Newport in early August.

This closed exhibition marked the second coming together of The Greenway Artists Initiative.

Artists who took part in exhibition were Michael Mc Loughlin, Anthony Mc Namee, Pamela Gray, Breda Burns, Grainne O Reilly, Michael O Neill, Ger Sweeney, Lucy Hill, Ian Wieczorek, Margaret Duffy, Richard Hearns, Benita Stoney, Michael Gannon, Betty Gannon, Maureen O Neill, Susie Quinn and Tony Pilbro

A picnic lunch was serve to the journalists by Sinead Cusack and Teresa Conway. The journalists ranged from The Sun, The Star, Evening Herald, Womans Way and The RTE Travel Magazine.

As a means of evaluating the Green Way Artists future plans, endevors and directives here is our current - Mission Statement:

Create a cultural initiative for the county using The Great Western Greenway as a catalyst to encourage international, national and local art initiatives.

Aims:
1. Develop local/national/international arts initiatives for the benefit of local communities in County Mayo.
2. Develop local/national/international arts initiatives to encourage cultural tourism for the county.
3. Develop a network of local professional artists.
4. Create opportunities and employment for local professional artists.
5. Develop skills and capacity of local artists through mentoring.
6. Create educational opportunities for artists and the local community through developmental arts initiatives.
7. Develop links with local, national and international arts organizations to promote arts in County Mayo.
8. Develop links with local, national and international cultural, health, social agencies and organizations to promote the Greenway as a symbol of County identity.

The Greenway Artists 1st Group Exhibit

'The Greenway Artists' first official Group Exhibit of artworks took place on Friday July 29th 2011 on the grounds of the Mulranny Park Hotel.

The Group Show consisted of one or two selected artworks from each member. Art Works were erected and exhibited in a marquee which was situated along the green way road close to the hotel. The marquee also functioned as a reception area for the various dignitaries who attended the launch along the Great Western Greenway. These included the Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

Below are some photos taken during the set up and launch.