Variety of Culture Night Activities Planned at Luan Gallery and Abbey Road Artists’ Studios, Athlone
Luan Gallery and Abbey Road Artists’ Studios will be one of many arts spaces to open their doors to the public on Culture Night, this Friday, September 18.
The events form part of the 21st edition of Culture Night, the annual national celebration of culture, creativity and the arts.
The programme of events aims to welcome audiences of all ages to the gallery and artists' studios by creating opportunities for people to visit outside normal opening hours, take part in creative activity and engage with the exhibitions, artwork and artists through making, conversation, and guided interpretation.
Carmel Duffy, Manager, said, “ We are delighted to once again support Culture Night with late openings and an interesting programme of activities designed to welcome audiences of all ages through the gallery and studio doors. This year we encourage visitors to engage with Fiona’s Kelly’s exhibition at Luan Gallery and meet visual artists undergoing residencies at Abbey Road Artists’ Studio and the members of Athlone Photography Club, who will host an exhibition in the Community space at Abbey Road.”
Between 4.30–7.45 pm, families can enjoy free drop-in self-guided art activities for children at Luan Gallery. All materials will be provided. Guided tours of Allow to Fallow, Allow to Fall Low, a solo exhibition of newly commissioned work by Westmeath artist Fiona Kelly will take place at Luan Gallery at 5 pm, 6 pm and 7 pm (circa 30 mins per tour). The tours will give an overview of the artist's practice and the exhibition's themes.
Abbey Road Resident Artists, Fiona Jackson and Helen Duncan, will open their studio doors on Culture Night.
Fiona Jackson will host an open studio and a display of a selection of her work recently created during her residency from 6-9 pm. Fiona will also host a reading of a selection of her poetry works between 8 pm and 8.20 pm.
Helen Duncan’s studio will be open from 7 pm to 8.30 pm, and a selection of Helen’s work will be on display. Participants from the ceramic workshop held as part of the recent Bog Bothy Programme at Cornafulla Micro Reserve at Cornafulla Bog are invited to collect the fired seed-storage pots they made during the times Helen’s studio will be open.
Athlone Photography Club will present ‘The People of Athlone’ exhibition in Abbey Road Artists’ Community Space, floor one, from 7 pm – 9 pm, with the official opening taking place at 7.30 pm.
The People of Athlone is an ongoing community photography project by Athlone Photography Club, celebrating the people who make our town unique.
Through environmental portraits captured in the places where people live, work and spend their time, the exhibition tells the stories of ordinary individuals whose lives and contributions shape Athlone. The project aims to create a lasting visual social history of the town, preserving its diversity, character and community spirit for future generations. Further details are available on www.luangallery.ie