Artists’ work is selling well despite the recession

THE recent art exhibition at the Ardee Turfman Festival proved that even in a recession amatuer artists can still sell their work.

Many of the artists sold paintings they had been working on over the year.

The local people of Ardee also gave tremendous support once again in buying tickets for the artists raffle which raised €1,416.00, the proceeds of which were donated to The Ardee Hospice (€708) and The Ardee Daycare Center(€708).

“On behalf of them and the artists,” said art instructor Rachel Thomas, “I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who bought tickets.

“There are so many people to thank who helped in making this annual event the success that it always is.

“The people of Ardee, The Ardee Turfman Festival Committee. Special thanks to Patrick McCabe (McCabe’s Garage Ardee) for kindly providing the art group with a terrific venue in the center of the town to showcase 125 paintings. Thanks also to our sponsors: Farrell’s Office

Supplies Ardee for making our exhibition stands, Paul Martin Planning and Design

Services Ardee and Frame and Art Dealg Design Ltd Ardee.

“Also thanks to the artists who generously donated paintings as raffle prizes, Nancy McCabe, Roisin Russell, Bridie Coleman, Denise McGuiness and Sr Immaculata Knox. Thanks also to the following people who gave of their time and resources in helping to set up this exhibition: Nancy McCabe, Margaret Harmon, Ann Moonan, Colette Maguire, Ann and Aiden Mooney, Wieslaw Kolodziejzcyk, Martin King, Riasa Drozd, Rita Moonan and Pat Lynch.

“This year’s display of paintings received wonderful reviews and we are looking forward to staging the next “Celebration of Colour”. Painting Classes resume in September,” said Rachel.

The Art and Craft Kidz Club also held their first exhibition during the Ardee Turfman Festival. This included a colorful painting of a larger than life size ‘Bog Butterfly’ painted by visiting children during the course of the festival weekend.

There was an array of craftwork on display that was created throughout the year by children aged 5 to 12 years including mini theatres made from recycled materials, sculpted clay, paper mache animals, portraiture in mixed media, string art and much more.

Drawing and painting classes start at the art workshop 4kidz Ardee from September. Call Donna 087-2226750.