Creative artists’ work praised
Open Air Exhibition at Birdhill’s Pollagh Walking Trail
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Darragh Harrington and Kate Stritch, winners on the Under 12 years section of the art exhibition.Image 2 of 5
Lucy Ryan and Keeva O’Shea, winners in the Teenage Section of the Art Exhibition with Melissa Ryan and Hannah Van Aelst, adjudicator.Image 3 of 5
Mara Van Aelst, Emer McMahon and Karina Drozdz of Newport College after receiving their prize in the art exhibition.Image 4 of 5
Ruth Riordan, winner of the Adult Section of the Art Exhibition with Henry Morgan, adjudicator and Melissa Ryan, Birdhill Art Hub.Image 5 of 5
Overall winner in the art exhibition, Miriam Bhander, receiving her prize from Henry Morgan, adjudicator, with Melissa Ryan, Birdhill Art Hub.Vibrant splashes of colour with flair in the artists’ works achieved a standard that made the adjudicators’ task an extremely difficult one in awarding the prizes in the Birdhill Art Hub contest for 2022.
Creative artists from a wide area of the country from Castleconnell to Portlaoise, Terryglass to Killaloe and Scariff were among the large entry for the Open Air Exhibition at Birdhill's Pollagh Walking Trail.
More than 80 participants competed, spanning all ages from nine years, whose splendid work was displayed on 50 large boards erected along the trail and visited by hundreds over the six weeks of the unique exhibition.
Organiser and brainchild of the idea, local artist, Melissa Ryan, congratulated all participants, describing their work as “a huge commitment to have the courage to apply and follow the brief to complete the work”, when she announced the winners.
The theme this year was ‘Birds and Bees’ and the adjudicators of the work were Henry Morgan, a Newport based artist in oils, Aidan Lynch, a framer from Ballina and Hannah Van Aelst, an established artist and basket maker from Killoscully.
A painting entitled ‘Kissed by a humming bird’, the work of Miriam Bhander was chosen for the overall award in the public vote by enthusiasts who visited the exhibition.
The youngest winners were Kate Stritch, and Darragh Harrington, who were placed first and second, respectively for their paintings ‘Summer Blooms’ and ‘Baby Birds Drinking’ in the U12 years category.
At the presentation of the awards, Melissa Ryan, thanked all who had participated, all of the sponsors who generously provided the prizes for the winners, the farmers and landowners who gave permission to have the work displayed along their right of way and her own husband, Paddy and family for their work in mounting the exhibition.
“I would like to personally thank all our local businesses for their generous donations towards the prizes. Birdhill Art Hub is a non-profit organisation and without the support of our local community business we would not be able to fund all the wonderful prizes,” she commented.
She added a special word for Room 4 Graphics and Vision Signs, both of whom had a big input to design concept, printing and plaques.
In the teenage section the winner was Keeva O'Shea, and runner-up was Lucy Ryan. In the Group Section for schools, the overall award went to Newport College, with the college also taking the runner-up prize.
Ruth Riordan won the Adults' Section and runner-up was Trish Taylor-Thompson, with Johanna Coleman being awarded Highly Commended.