Laois artist returns to Abbeyleix library to exhibit after 17-year break
Art and crafts tutor Kathleen Flanagan pictured with her Sacred Heart pyrography on Beach piece Photos: Stan Henderson
ARTIST, art and crafts tutor and Castletown Irish Countrywomen’s Association (ICA) member Kathleen Flanagan has returned to Abbeyleix library with a wonderful exhibition made up of her intricate pyrography pieces, quirky paintings, burnished copper craft works and seamless decoupage collages 17 years after her first exhibition in the sought after gallery space back in 2009.
The talented, creative lady, who lives in the mountainous area of Gorteen between Kinnitty in Co Offaly and Roscrea in Co Tipperary, spends her time teaching arts and crafts to a wide variety of groups within the three counties of Laois, Offaly and Tipperary.
Speaking to the in Abbeyleix library, Kathleen said: “I was always interested in art even before I got married. After I got married, I would attend different art classes in the evenings. After my husband died six years ago, I continued to tutor for several different art and craft groups around Laois, Offaly and Tipperary.” Kathleen said that she had been a tutor with the Vocational Education Committee (VEC) for years before the organisation dedicated to adult education changed to become the Educational Training Board (ETB).
Continuing, she said: “I have tutored for many years and have run hundreds of classes with the Laois/Offaly ETB and the ETB in Nenagh. I have been tutoring for over 26 years now and I also teach painting on glass in some of my classes, along with decoupage art, parchment art, copper craft and pyrography.” When asked about her first solo exhibition in Abbeyleix library back in 2009, Kathleen said: “It was a really lovely time. I have great memories of that day. The parish priest in Abbeyleix at the time was Fr Michael O’Meara and I was delighted that he spoke at the launch. He is still going and he’s the parish priest in our parish in Kinnitty. He really is a lovely man.” Kathleen said that before she committed to teaching art and crafts, she and her husband were farming and after her husband passed away in 2020, she kept up with her classes rather than sit at home.
The multi-talented artist particularly loves creating her copper craft pieces and she also loves making and designing pyrography pieces from beechwood for the front of people’s houses, which she makes to order.
The exhibition is currently on display in Abbeyleix library and it is well worth paying a visit to during opening hours. Lots of the works are displayed in the huge bay window of the library, which is lit up at nighttime. This also makes the exhibition visible from outside.
Kathleen Flanagan can be contacted about her art and art and craft classes on 087 2041288.
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