Laois art group put together an exhibition with four days’ notice

WITH just four days’ notice, Durrow Art Club has transformed the gallery walls of Abbeyleix library into a super spectrum of almost 70 paintings after a last-minute cancellation opened a slot in one of the county’s most sought-after exhibition spaces.

The exhibition’s big moment will happen on Thursday when Abbeyleix Tidy Towns secretary Mary White will officially launch the show. A wine and nibbles reception will run from 5.30-7.30pm and everyone is invited to step inside, meet the artists and enjoy the collection at its most celebratory.

Abbeyleix library hosts monthly exhibitions for artists and photographers, but opportunities are rare these days as the gallery is booked until 2029. Its long bay window faces the main road and glows after dark, giving the work round-the-clock visibility to pedestrians and motorists waiting at the traffic lights. For Durrow Art Club, the unexpected call was simply too good to refuse.

Founded in 2017 by Durrow artist and tutor Marie Moylan, the club meets weekly in Cullohill hall and will soon begin classes at the newly opened Darú HQ in Durrow. Its adult members range from complete beginners to experienced painters, exploring different materials and techniques in a supportive setting. Exhibitors have travelled from Durrow, Abbeyleix, Ballinakill, Cullahill, Horse and Jockey, Johnstown, Ballyragget, Two-Mile-Borris, Portlaoise and Gortnahoe in Tipperary.

Speaking to the Laois Nationalist amid the bustle of installation day, Marie explained that she is a Durrow native who returned to Ireland in 2016 after 23 years in London.

She said: “I studied fine art and design at Waterford Art College and qualified to teach art at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin. My specialist subjects are drawing and painting and I help members explore different techniques and materials to develop their skills. There is great camaraderie and mutual support in the group. The club first exhibited at Abbeyleix library in 2019 and more recently showed work at the Folly Festival in Cullohill. We are delighted to be back in this wonderful gallery in the heritage town of Abbeyleix.” Marie’s reaction to being offered the October slot with only four days’ notice was immediate and memorable. She jokingly said: “It nearly started with a heart attack. But then I calmed down and said we would do it. We had applied to have an exhibition in the library, but were told the gallery was booked until 2029, so I asked them to let us know if there was ever a cancellation. We certainly weren’t expecting one with four days’ notice, but we were delighted and we managed to pull the mixed-media exhibition together.” Gallery manager Martina O’Connor described the radiant, exuberant show as “a wonderful celebration of colour.” She said: “Under Marie Moylan’s artistic direction, this buoyant tapestry of playful styles captures seascapes, landscapes, animals, flowers and all things nature. We welcome everyone into the library to view this joyous collection.” With Christmas approaching, she also noted that several pieces would also make thoughtful and distinctive gifts for loved ones.

The paintings are already lighting up Abbeyleix, turning the library window into a bright streetside showcase of sweeping landscapes, lively animals, delicate flowers and richly painted glimpses of the natural world. But the launch on Thursday promises to bring the whole story together. Artists, neighbours and visitors can gather around a show created with remarkable speed, creative energy and unmistakable heart. The reception runs from 5.30-7.30pm and all are welcome. New members are welcome at Durrow Art Club. For more information, email Marie Moylan at hmbmoylan@gmail.com or phone 086 3136028.

See more photos in this week's issue of the Laois Nationalist, currently on sale in local stores or online