An extra dimension has been added to some of the exhibits submitted to this year’s Westmeath County Council sponsored Mullingart project.
It was not so much ‘out of the box’ thinking but ‘out of the shop’ when Dennis Hogan, manager of Harbour Place Shopping Centre, installed three original pieces of art on the shopfront of an empty shop unit in the mall.
Coordinator of the project Don Mortell said “Just being on the other side of the glass brings the creative process closer to the viewer. Every beautiful brushstroke can be seen more clearly, there is a new depth to the pieces.
“Far and away my favourite thing about this particular set-up is watching people of all ages taking the time to stop during a shopping trip and enjoying the incredible pieces by talented local artists. Even the very young viewers of the pieces seem enthralled with the vibrancy and colour of the art on display.”
The works by local artists Noreen Murphy and Sarah Robson are enclosed by a blue velvet rope which adds a touch of well deserved class to the display.
Don hopes that many more projects between business and local arts will be developed over the coming years. “There seems to be a gaping chasm between business and the arts and if we are to progress as a town, creative thinking must be at the forefront of our recovery.”
The extraction of artwork from their locations around Mullingar will begin on Monday August 15 and will be moved to the old nightclub space at Danny Byrnes for an exhibition starting on Saturday August 20 and running through to Thursday August 25. This will be followed on the Thursday evening by a small reception for the artists.
As many of the artists as possible are asked to attend the reception from 6.30pm til 9pm.
