New mural coming to this Kildare town

LOCAL artist Martina McDonald has been selected to develop the Newbridge Town Centre Mural project this autumn, as part of the Newbridge Public Art Award run by Kildare County Council’s Art Service.

Martina will work with local women’s group ‘The Sisterhood’, alongside residents of Eyre Street, to co-design a mural. Through a series of visual art workshops, the group will creatively explore ideas and concepts for the mural, which will then be hand painted by Martina.

The ambition is to create an artwork that celebrates the diversity and richness of Newbridge through bold colours, shapes and forms. The mural will be painted on the gable-end of Coopers Furniture Store on Eyre Street, a long-standing family business in the town.

The Newbridge Public Art Award aims to encourage community engagement, inspiring people to reflect on the character and diversity of their community and promote pride of place and diversity of experience. The project aims to celebrate aspects of contemporary life, history, heritage and culture by creating opportunities for communities to engage in creative projects. A total fund of €6,500 was allocated to the award via Local Property Tax funding in the Kildare/Newbridge Municipal District.

Martina McDonald is a visual artist and muralist based in Clane. Her multidisciplinary arts practice focuses primarily on printmaking and painting in all forms. With over 16 years’ experience, Martina has delivered art commissions, managed large-scale mural projects and led workshops for all ages. She is an active member of Kildare Art Collective and Leinster Print Studio. Martina is also the curator for visual arts at Riverbank Arts Centre in Newbridge. For more information, visit www.martinamcdonald.com.