The call has been put out for volunteers to become part of Athlone’s rich art and heritage scene as the town’s newest tourist attractions near completion.
With just months to go until the opening of the art gallery and the reopening of the castle, Athlone Art and Heritage are looking for anyone interested in volunteering at the venues to get in touch.
In the coming months there will be opportunities for anyone interested in supporting the team at Athlone Art and Heritage over its three different projects: Abbey Road Artist Studios, the castle, and the art gallery.
“Volunteers are key to the success of projects,” explained Athlone Art and Heritage manager Miriam Mulrennan. “We would like to tailor the volunteer experience for each person. Some people might have a preference for heritage and history over arts, some might want to experience all three projects.”
“Volunteering has changed so much. People volunteer now to gain experience and new skills. They do it because they have a genuine interest in the project at hand,” she added.
Staff have already been taken on by Art and Heritage including three guides, two caretakers, and a visual art coordinator.
The organisation is also close to announcing the name of the new art gallery. Some 246 entries were received and these will now be put to Athlone Town Council whose members will choose the name in the coming weeks.
Work is progressing in the gallery and the Art and Heritage team already have exhibitions lined up for the venue including a national and international exhibition set for late November.
“We hope to have the building handover at the end of August. We will then have a body of work to do once we get in, so we hope to open doors mid-late September,” explained Miriam.
The castle is also nearing completion with artefacts, AV equipment, and exhibition areas coming together. “We have eight different exhibition areas, telling eight different stories of Athlone,” Miriam explains.
“It’s all becoming very real. And we hope the people of Athlone will take these two venues to their hearts when they open in the coming months,” she added.
For more information on volunteering log on to www.athloneartandheritage.ie
