Town gearing up for 'Mullingart' - town's biggest ever art show

It's never been done before in Mullingar - but with the cooperation of local businesses, and local artists, Mullingar itself will be turned into what will effectively be one large art gallery for a few weeks in the run-up to the Culture Day that is to take place in Mullingar in September.The Westmeath Environment Group is inviting everyone in Mullingar and surrounding areas, of all levels of ability, and all ages, and using whatever medium they like, to submit works that will be showcased in shop windows all around Mullingar, before being assembled in one location for a week-long art exhibition - "Mullingart" - the like of which the town has never seen up to this.The exhibition is believed to be different to any ever held locally, in that it's not restricted to members of a particular painting group or club or class, and it's not restricted by age, and it is likely to be the largest art exhibition ever held locally."As far as we're concerned, this is fairly unique to Mullingar; if it has happened before, we don't know about it!" says Don Mortell, who is Arts Projects officer with the Group.The idea sprang from a comment by one member of the Westmeath Environment Group who told how a friend of hers had had a painting displayed in the window of Benetton in Mullingar."We talked about it at one of the Westmeath Environment Group meetings, and I think I made a rod for my own back, when I suggested maybe we should extend that idea, and it's snowballed from there," says Don.What gave the idea added impetus is the fact that the lead-in time means the Group has been able to tie it in with Westmeath Culture Day, which is taking place on September 24.Don is hoping that people will be prepared to be daring and brave and creative, and that all forms of art - right down to grafitti ("as long as it's in a frame!" he cautions) will be submitted."I would hope to display it in different places. What we're going to do is have one piece, with an appropriate card, containing the name of the piece, and of the artist, and these will be dotted around pubs, clubs, shops, offices, before finally being all brought together."The WEG is really anxious to stress that the event is open to all: "We would love also to have artwork from the new Irish, Eastern European, African and English as well as the travelling community."This is a fantastic opportunity for artists of all ages, cultural backgrounds, abilities, disciplines and mediums to bring their talents to a wider audience," says Don, a Londoner whose mother is from Longford, and whose father's a native of Cork."All we ask is that the piece reflects the theme of the event, (the environment) that the artist is local to Mullingar and the work is delivered to us in a 'ready to hang/display' condition," he says.The closing date for submissions is Wednesday August 4 2010, and anyone should contact Don on 087 611 6883 or e-mail donmortell@gmail.com.The group is also interested in hearing from businesses and other premises around town prepared to display some of the pieces before the main overall exhibition.