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Colourful talent on display at Armagh County Museum
Published: 07 July 2011

Over 100 paintings by local artists have gone on display in a summer exhibition at Armagh County Museum.

Deirdre Robb (Arts Council NI) left presents Geraldine McKeown with the Summerisland Perpetual Cup (click picture to enlarge)

The works, by members of Armagh Art Club, which are on sale to the public, cover a range of subjects and styles. The club has been exhibiting at the Museum for over 45 years and this year has seen an increase in the number of paintings submitted.

Their summer exhibition remains one of the most popular events in the museum’s calendar and includes the Club’s annual prize-giving. Award-winning artist Deirdre Robb, Visual Arts Officer with the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, was this year’s judge.

She said: “I am impressed by the wealth of talent on display and found it very difficult to decide upon the winners. What did stand out almost immediately was the use of colour. This is what attracted me in particular to the painting awarded the Summer IsDeirdr Robb (Arts Council NI) presents Keith Oates with the Jackie Connolly portraiture cup (click to enlarge picture)land Cup and all those awarded prizes showed clear technical ability.”

The Summer Island Cup and overall best painting was awarded to Geraldine McGeown, Armagh, for her flower study ‘A touch of pink’.

The prize for best portrait and the Jackie Connolly Cup went to Keith Oates, Brockagh, County Tyrone, for his portrait of the Nobel Laureate John Hume. The two highly commended paintings selected were ‘Lily pond Autumn’ by Ester C MacNamara, Downpatrick, and ‘Breakfast-flat’ by Wayne Hall from Drum, County Monaghan.

Others attending the opening of the exhibition were Dan Harvey, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of National Museums Northern Ireland, and Bob Toner, Chairman of Armagh Art Club.

Curator of Armagh County Museum Dr Greer Ramsey explained: “We’re thrilled to be hosting an exhibition showcasing such wonderful local talent.

Wayne Hall (Highly Commended) picture entitled Breakfast flat (click to enlarge picture)“It’s fantastic that as well as featuring artists whose work we look forward to seeing each year, the competition has attracted some exciting new artists who are exhibiting their work for the first time.

“Whether you are a first time visitor or on a return trip, this exhibition is a great opportunity to view paintings from the county and further afield.”

The exhibition continues until Friday 2 September. Admission is free and opening times are Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm and Saturday 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm.

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