‘Art and creativity should be experienced together’

By Robert Moyles

Oil paintings, acrylics, and a myriad of other paintings are displayed on the walls of the corridor as I make my way through the Nenagh Arts Centre.

It’s there where I meet the ladies behind the art. Toni, Ellen, and Ava are one half of six members of the Riverlane Art Group, with the other members being Rita, Orla, and Nuala, who all opened a co-op shop based in Carlingford. Tutored by Richard Williams, they meet up weekly to share ideas, develop their craft and support one another in their creative journeys. I had the pleasure of conducting a short interview with them to ask about their exhibition.

Art Amongst Friends is the debut exhibition of the Riverlane Art Group, launching on April 1. A compilation of their paintings, Art Amongst Friends is about sharing your creativity with those around you and developing friendships through art.

Toni has been an artist for 20 years, first learning her craft alongside Ellen in an art class some years ago. In her retirement, Toni has embraced art even more so, attending art classes with the Tipperary Education and Training Board alongside Ava and Ellen to further hone their skills. Originally from Shinrone, Ellen herself has been a lifelong artist, choosing art for her Leaving Cert and pursuing it as a passion.

Ava, originally from Austria, is a relative newcomer to the group, first joining them about three years ago.

“We really believe art and creativity should be experienced together,” Toni explains. “I know when I go to meet my friends that I am going to get something done, or they’re going to help me get going again.”

Art Amongst Friends is the first of what will hopefully be many more art exhibitions for the Riverlane Art Group.