Athy hosts Brigid exhibition and talks
Athy’s Art House on Leinster Street will host a legacy exhibition and series of talks to celebrate Brigid’s weekend, organised by artists Anthony Haughey and Cathy Callan
That time of year has come again, where we celebrate the long-standing legacy and symbolic significance of Kildare's patron saint St Brigid.
While the rest of the country are making St Brigid crosses, Athy’s Art House on Leinster Street will host a legacy exhibition and series of talks to celebrate Brigid’s weekend, organised by artists Anthony Haughey and Cathy Callan.
The event will be running from February 1 to 3, in line with the Spirit of Kildare Festival that is hosting different events across the county from the end of January until the start of February.
Championing themes of Brigid and the significant women in our lives, Anthony has dedicated his time and expertise to creating a print on demand artbook featuring artwork from the exhibition which will be displayed publicly at the gallery.
Drawing on her own familial history, Cathaoirleach Aoife Breslin will speak on the inspirational women in her life, Dr Sharon Greene will talk about the renowned local portrait artist Kathleen Shackleton, and artist Josephine Hardiman will show us artwork and tell us about the creation process of her recently published ‘The Book of Kildare'.
There will be two workshops, on February 1 and 3, with artist Cathy Callan where participants will be encouraged to explore their own creativity and complete a large original painting of Brigid, inspired by an old and original stained glass window after the William Earley stained glass studios.
Looking at iconic imagery, including the St Brigid's cross, the Beauty of Brigid exhibition will display a creative community collage and painting projects by Kildare Traveller Action Women's Group, and Athy Men and Women’s Sheds in collaboration with local artist Cathy Callan.
Supporting climate change efforts, many of the artworks highlight biodiversity and also the reuse and recycling of materials through the medium of collage.
"Focusing on our natural world we hope to inspire visitors to the exhibition, workshops and talks to reflect on their own responsibility to care for the environment through everyday conversation and themes of reduce, reuse and recycle," said artist and organiser Cathy Callan.
The ‘Beauty of Brigid’ exhibition itself will run from January 30 to February 20, 2025.
