Solas Art Gallery
Carrigallen Student Portraits
A BODY OF WORK CREATED BY TRANSITION YEAR ART STUDENTS FROM CARRIGALLEN VOCATIONAL SCHOOL
Materials: Acrylic and mixed media on canvas.
Each student has painted a self-portrait, twenty -four in total.
The Brief: Paint a self-portrait based on your reaction to a newspaper article you have recently read.
Each student started their painting from scratch, they made the stretcher, stretched and primed the canvas and then proceeded to paint. This was a challenging project for these students (most had not studied art before), they began with some trepidation but soon got involved in the process. They have titled their exhibition “SHOW US THE PAINT!” an appropriate title showing their willingness to learn and to try new things
Junior Exhibition 2012 PR
Solas Junior `12
LARGER JUNIOR ARTS EXHIBITION AT SOLAS.
The Annual Junior Exhibition at the Solas Gallery, Sat Jan 28th- Sat 18th Feb, will be larger than ever this year. Last year there were 372 pictures on display, from all the schools in Leitrim. These pictures are all framed and hung by the gallery`s committee and members, a gargantuan task! The Ballinamore Artists Group who run the Solas Gallery have a big commitment to the development of art within all age groups, especially the young where creativity has such an important role to play in their development. This year there is the interesting addition of a display of work from the transition year from Carrigallen Vocational School. The project, led by artist Julie Martin, required the students to read a newspaper article and then to paint a self portrait as a response to the article. There are 24 students involved aged 15-16 of whom less than ½ did art, giving a fascinating insight into the way news can influence ones perception of life. The students started from basics, from making their own stretchers and covering them with canvas on to the completed works.
The Junior Exhibition will open on Sat 28th Jan at 3.00pm and will be launched by Isabella Bancroft. Isabella is a Solas committee member, trained in the Montessori method ,has taught art in primary and secondary schools as well as working with children and adults with learning disabilities. She feels that whilst teaching technique, she asks her students to experiment and challenge themselves. The Junior Exhibition will run to Feb 18th and all are welcome. Teachers and pupils are asked to please collect their work at the end of the exhibition to clear space for the next show. If Teachers would like to bring their class to this or any other exhibition please enquire with the Gallery. Opening hours are Tues-Sat; 10-6pm. Contact details Gail or Ben, 071 9644210; info@solasart.ie; www.solasart.ie
Junior Exhibition 2012
Featuring the work of local school children and young adults from primary and secondary schools throughout County Leitrim. There will also be a special exhibition of self portraits by the transition year students of Carrigallen Vocational School. You can read more about this special exhibition of portraits by clicking on the exhibition title ‘Show us the Paint!’ The exhibition will be officially opened by artist Isabella Bancroft on Saturday Jan 28th at 3pm and all are welcome to attend. If you can’t make it in on the Saturday be sure to call in to see this exhibition before it closes on Feb 18th. We welcome visits by supervised shool classes but do please phone us in advance (Tel 071-9644210).
Xmas 2011 Press Release
The Solas Art Gallery in Ballinamore is about to open its annual Christmas group exhibition. The community based gallery has had a highly successful year, with new exhibitions of work taking place monthly. The astonishing variety of work on display in this Christmas exhibition provides wonderful evidence of the ever-expanding membership within the gallery, with artists from Leitrim and the surrounding counties all represented. There is something to suit every taste here, with a wide range of mediums and styles being showcased, including some interesting photography and collage work, as well as the more traditional oils and watercolours. For example, the ever-popular cartoonist Anne Gilpin has produced several wonderfully humorous pieces, such as the delightful “Reluctant Donkey”. Local artist Brendan Dean, having completed a successful solo exhibition at the gallery earlier this year, has produced some provocative and exciting mixed media pieces for the Christmas exhibition, such as the aptly titled “I’m just doin’ my thing”. Of course no Christmas exhibition would be complete without a snow scene, as winter scene paintings are always popular at this time of year. However, it would be difficult to find one as beautifully executed as Marjorie Leonard’s “A Perfect Winter, Castlecoole”.
This stunning collection of work is a visual feast of colour and creativity that all are encouraged to come and see. In the current bleak economic climate, a visit to this fascinating exhibition is sure to lift the spirits, and perhaps even solve the problem of what unique Christmas present to give to that special someone.
The exhibition will be opened by Sinead Guckian. Sinead is popular County Councillor with a very keen interest in the arts, especially local artists. The exhibition opens on Friday at 7.30pm and will run until 14th Jan 2012. All are welcome to come along on the night and enjoy some wine and festive refreshments. There will also be the opportunity to meet the artists, as many of the gallery members will be attending on opening night. The Solas Gallery is located above the Four Seasons Garden Centre on the main street in Ballinamore and is open 10-6 Tues to Sat. For further information, Christmas opening hours, or enquiries regarding membership, vouchers etc. please contact Gail or Ben at 071 9644210. Alternatively, email info@solasart.ie or visit the gallery at www.solasart.ie
Helen Pinoff & Siobhan Cox Carlos
Helen Pinoff Saturday Sessions
I N V I T A T I O N
“U r b a n J u m b l e”
SATURDAY ART SESSIONS
at
Solas Art Gallery, Ballinamore
MEET THE ARTIST: HELEN PINOFF
For two Saturday afternoons in November, artist Helen Pinoff will be showing the interactive side of her exhibition “Urban Jumble” and you will be have the chance to play with some of her abstract sculpture and find out more about how abstract art evolves.
Her sculptural pieces are reminiscent of the toy building-blocks of childhood. They have a tactile, playful quality, and are “paintings in sculptural form”.
All curious and open-minded folk, students and children (over 3) are very welcome to call in to the Solas Art Gallery in Ballinamore and meet the artist for some hands-on “Urban Jumble”.
Saturday 12th and 19th November, 2pm – 4pm
Member’s Christmas Exhibition 2011
23 September 2011
Christmas Exhibition at Solas Gallery – 2 December 2011- 12 January 2012
Dear Artist
You are invited to submit up to 3 pieces of work for the Christmas Group Exhibition at Solas.
Drop off is on Saturday 19th November 12 –5pm.
This exhibition is open to members only.
It is not selected and we try to show everything.
Maximum size is 60 x 60 cm (or 50 x 70 cm etc).
Smaller pieces are preferred for this exhibition.
There is no theme.
We have included an entry form, artwork stickers and a summary with the important dates and information. The drop-off can be quite busy at times so we ask that all your paperwork (Entry Form and Labels) be complete when you arrive. The check boxes show the things that should be completed.
As always, if you can help with any part of the exhibition please let us know. We need volunteers to stuff envelopes, prepare finger food, serve wine on the night, wash glasses etc. If you can give an hour or two of your time it would be a big help.
Finally, a reminder that Sculpture, Photography and Glass have all been exhibited at the gallery. These art-forms are all very welcome. We have a collection of plinths available for display.
If you have any queries about the exhibition, or if you would like to volunteer to help out, please do not hesitate to contact the Gallery 071 9644210.
Best Regards
Gail Quinn
Secretary
Ballinamore Community Arts Group
SOLAS EXHIBITION CHRISTMAS 2011
Ö ACTION INFORMATION DATEArt Drop Off Sat. 19th November 12 – 5 pm ÿ Number of Pieces Up to 3 per Member
Pieces should not have been hung in gallery previously ÿ Size Up to 60cm x 60cm or a combination of these dimensions (Eg. 50cm x 70cm).
Due to pressure of numbers, smaller pieces are preferred for the Christmas Exhibition. ÿ Membership Must be paid up to date. Can be done on the day if necessary
All memberships are due for renewal as and from the AGM. ÿ
ÿ Paperwork
(Enclosed)
- Entry Form Completed
- Stickers filled in on back of artwork
ÿ
ÿ
ÿ Presentation
- All Artwork ready to hang with pair of hooks on the back
- Clean Frames and Glass
- Framing and mounts to gallery standard
Selection This is a non-selected exhibition. We will try to show everything. Opening Friday 2nd December at 7.30pm Pick Up of Unsold Work Saturday 14th January 2012
Siobhan Cox Carlos and Helen Pinoff
Frank ‘Brolly’ Desmond Solo Exhibition
Siobhan & Helen Press Release
NEW SOLO EXHIBITIONS @ SOLAS GALLERY
Opening at the Solas Gallery in Ballinamore on Fri 4th November are two exhibitions with a difference but also a similarity. Both “URBAN JUMBLE” by Helen Pinoff and “ PINK, SMALL, AND PUNCTUAL” by Siobhan Cox Carlos bring the artists perspective of two different enviroments that we are all familiar with colourfully to life. Siobhan`s explosion of her colourful, expressionist response to nature and Helens collection of prints and sculpture inspired by the urban landscape give a wonderful contrast to each other.
Helen Pinoff has lived in North Leitrim since 1998 studying and practicing her art. She is an active member of the Solas Art Gallery and the Leitrim Sculpture Centre. Her current paintings and sculptures have evolved from visits to Glasgow and London and her fascination with the urban landscape….”the play of light between the old and new buildings, the jumble and mix of shapes and patterns, colours and textures..” Helen`s work shows the essence of the buildings, Roofscapes and Cityscapes are transmuted into abstract forms, “layers of paint, with scratched and worn texture, all those gorgeous colours – brushed, squeezed and scumbled”. The sculptural pieces are reminiscent of the toy building blocks of childhood, they are paintings in sculptural form. During Helens exhibition for two afternoons, Sat 12th and 19th November, from 2-4pm you will have a chance to meet the artist and play with some of her abstract sculpture and find out more about how abstract art evolves. All curious and open-minded folk, students and children(over 3) are welcome to call in on these dates and meet the artist for some ”Urban Jumble”
Siobhan Cox Carlos is from near Strokestown in Co. Roscommon, where she is well known as an established artist and for her involvement with many exhibitions and arts activities. She has exhibited extensively in Ireland and America and her work is in many private and State collections. Her work is an explosion of colour, inspired by the world she lives in; inspired by nature, fashion and life. The title of her exhibition, “Pink, Small and Punctual” is inspired by the poem by American Poet Emily Dickenson which captures the elements in nature that so move the artist, as she flits like the robin from her `representational abstracts `to her `pure abstract` work , all inspired by mother nature. “Trudys Garden” celebrates the element of colour and composition in a suburban Irish garden whilst “Genesis” is a happy exploration and celebration of the freedom presented through the creative process. “One painting informed another, beginning with the orchid and resulting in me distilling the form and extracting the essence from the line and colour inspired by this exotic bloom and culminating in “Flight of Fantasy “ where the drips begged to be made into a swing.”
These two lovely exhibitions will be opened on Fri 5th November at 7.30pm by Tony Murphy, Lecturer and photographer at the National College of Art and Design. The exhibitions will be available to visit until 26th November, mon-sat, 10-6pm. The Solas Gallery is above the Four Seasons Garden Centre in Ballinamore. For any further information and on how to exhibit please contact Gail or Ben 071 9644210, email info@solasart.ie or look at our website www.solasart.ie
