NEW WEBSITE FOR TRALEE ART GROUP
The website currently being developed for the Tralee Art group is the work of two students of the Tralee
Institute of Technology, Paula Casey and Maurice Twomey, who are creating the site as part of their course
in Interactive Multi-Media. They are building on the work of earlier members and friends of the group
Anne-Marie Courtney and Sally Delvino. The launch of the site will take place in Siamsa Tire, on Tuesday 14th August,
as part of the official opening of the Tralee Art Group Summer Exhibition, which will commence at 6.00 pm.
Members of the group wish to acknowledge the help and support they have received from the management
and staff of the I.T.T.
The group went “on location” in May, to see the new framing shop in Tralee, located behind Super-Value, where
brothers John and Richard Cleary explained the many processes available for the presentation of art-work.
In June, the vice-chairperson of the group, Wendy Sharpe, led a practical workshop on drawing skills, introducin
members to a course that was available. This could lead toa series of practical sessions in the autumn. Ciaran Walsh,
the visual arts director of Siamsa Tire spoke to the group in July, taking the work of Pablo Picasso as his starting
point, and demonstrating the place of preparatory work and sketching in artistic development. The next
meeting of the group will be in September.
A NEW VENUE FOR GROUP MEETINGS
The group are delighted to be meeting in Siamsa Tire, which came about at the invitation of Siamsa’s visual
arts director, Ciaran Walsh. In recent years the group have met in, and enjoyed excellent hospitality of, the
Imperial Hotel, the K.D.Y.S., the home-studio of one of its members, Geraldine Kissane, and, most recently,
St. Brendan’s Parish Centre. The recent change however brings the group to one of the places at the cultural heart
of Tralee, with its history of association with traditional culture, and the performing and visual arts. This very
stimulating for the group as whenever they meet they are surrounded by the art of whatever exhibition is currently
in progress. The Tralee Art Group is most grateful to the management and staff of Siamsa
Tire for this opportunity.
Fifteen members of the group recently visited the home of two of the members, Bob and May Scott, the
chair-person and public relations officer, who live in Ballyduff. Bob has created an exhibition of 150 paintings,
in one of the rooms of the house, focusing on the scenery and buildings of North Kerry. Called “Rising Tide”,
and viewable by appointment (see contact info.) the collection aims to evoke the unique atmosphere of the
North Kerry environment. They enjoyed refreshments in the garden, provided by May, and a chat in
the sun room, where members enjoyed the 180 degree west-facing panoramic view of the
surrounding countryside.
Tralee Art Group offers two opportunities to members who enjoy the social aspect of painting together, where
members can learn from one another and share ideas. In the winter months they meet together in the in-house
studio of one of the members, and in the summer months members set off each week, weather permitting,
to a destination in the countryside. These trips have taken them out to Ross Castle, Ardfert Cathedral,
Agherboe, Killarney, Blennerville, and Cill Relig, Dingle and Ventry, and many other places, and are often the starting
point for pictures that develop into finished works for exhibition. The group makes an event of each meeting
and retreats for a well deserved drink and a bite to eat in a local bar or hotel after the morning’s work.
