Thursday, November 25, 2010

One Week Ago, I was just an artist

One week ago I was just an artist minding my own business.  I was just walking around the streets of Killarney looking at all the empty shops.  Two years ago there weren't any in Killarney.  How things can change in such a short time. 

I thought, now is the time to find a place to use as a gallery.  Rents will surly have to come down now.

I was walking past the the old market.  30 years ago they were restored by the council to be used as workshops for artist and craft worker.  Of course the rents were too high  for artist and the project never got off the ground.  They were sold off to a shop and sadly used as store rooms for all these years.  I noticed a group of twenty somethings working inside one of the units.  I asked what was going on and they said they were opening a cafe.  What?, I thought,  They are renting them out again after all these years?!  I immediately inquired about the units and was told they were all being rented out and there was only one left, and it was right next door the the cafe.  How much? I asked, and was surprised to hear they were offering a very low rent until the end of December.  Without blinking an eye I signed up!

That was a week ago.  After cleaning, filling hole in the wall and floors, sanding and painting and putting up picture rails, the first piece of art went on the walls. 

I have lived in Killarney for fifteen years, it is one of the most beautiful places in Ireland but there was an artistic void.  There was no artist center or theater, no artist asscocation, no group shows no where to exhibit your work.  No where for the public to see the talent that Killarney has to offer.  Well I can't build a theater but I can make a gallery.

With the help of my Husband Pat and brother in law Donie, one week later I have a gallery with 7 talented killarny and Kerry artists.  I am exhausted but so happy to have a dream come true.

My dad past away 5 weeks ago and left me a small amount of money and I took this and made the gallery happen.  I thought of him everyday I was in there painting and cleaning.  I am dedicating it to him.  He was a brilliant artist in his own right and I know he would be very proud

I hope to continue on with the Galley into the new year if I can afford the rent.  I would like to start a cooperative gallery and use the location to hold workshops and classes for the residents of Killarney.  It could be used as a hub for local artist and perhaps we can finally start an artist association, hold group shows and exhibit our work.  Thanks Dad for allowing me to fill one of my dreams

The gallery will be open On the 27th of November from 11 am until 7pm


The Cafe will be open the second week in December and the Gallery will have there opening reception on the 4th of December 7pm.  Please come by and support us


Before
 
Walls and floors painted
Picture rails going up



Art work on the walls

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Artist Exhibiting in the Back Lane Gallery New Market Lane, Killarney

I am so excited to have 9 fantastic artist exhibiting in the Back Lane Gallery so far.  Please keep the 4th of December open because, you are Invited to the opening reception of the Back Lane Gallery from 7pm Until 9pm.  Ring in this Holiday Season with some Beautiful Kerry art. Have a glass or two of wine meet the artists and enjoy some local entertainment.

 Some of the exhibiting artists:


Tina Reed  (oils)

Gearoid O’Duinnin (mixed medium)
Olivia O'Carra (oils)

Roisin McGuigan


Deborah O'Keeffe (pastels)

 It's Christmas in Killarney http://www.christmasinkillarney.com/





Tony Shiels
Muiriosa Murphy acrylic


Thursday, November 11, 2010

Back Lane Gallery


Tony Sheils
 
Deborah O'Keeffe

 









Announcing the opening of the Back Lane Gallery in Killarney. The Gallery is located down Market Lane off of High Street behind Quills Woolen Market.  Just in time for Christmas and with the Christmas and will  be open for the Christmas in Killarney  http://www.christmasinkillarney.com/  
The Gallery will run a group exhibition from November 20th until the 6th of January.

The participating artist:

Tina Reed
Tony Sheils
Gearoid O'Duinnin

Olivia O'Carra
Roisin McGuigan
Geroid O'Duinnin
Deborah O'Keeffe

There will be an opening reception and live entertainment and refreshments on the 4th of December from 7pm until 10pm.


Please join up in celebrating the wonderful talent we have in Kerry!
For further information please call Deborah at 0873212948




Olivia O'Carra
  


Roisin McGuigan



 

Christmas in Killarney Artists wanted

I am opening a Christmas Gallery in Killarney. Right now I am have only rented the space until the end of December, with views of opening a permanent cooperative gallery. I am renting 6 feet of wall wall space to artists at a cost of 180.00 euros plus15% commission to help with the running cost of the Gallery, this is approx 30.00 Euro per week . The gallery is open from the 20th of November until the end 31st December. The gallery is off of the main street (behind Quills), There is a new Tapas and coffee bar opening next door. Killarney has a Christmas Market  http://www.christmasinkillarney.com/ running each weekend in December up until Christmas.. I will be advertising in the local papers and handing out invitations at the Wine and Art night. I am offering pastel demonstrations and a few classes in the gallery in the evenings.. It will be open Tuesday through Sunday from 11am until 8pm. There will be an opening reception with entertainment on the 4th of December. If you are interested in exhibiting in the gallery please let me know as soon as possible'


dpokeeffe3@yahoo.ie

Thank You



Deborah O'Keeffe

Thursday, November 4, 2010

I Spent three week in Upstate New York.   It wasn't a holiday. Sadly I had to go home for my Dads funeral.  It was a sad time but a happy time as well.   Spending time with my family going through old pictures reminiscing about old times.

The foliage was stunning,  I haven't been back this time of year in many years.  I saw this tree while I was there.  And I thought, this one is for you dad,  Outstanding in you own field!
Standing alone
9" x 22"
Soft pastel on sanded paper

Outstanding in ones field
18" x 24"
Sot pastel on Wallis paper