06/11/2019

Govt Art Exhibition Opens In Holywood

Artworks from the Northern Ireland Civil Service and Ireland's Office of Public Works (OPW) will be on display in Holywood, Co Down over the next eight weeks.

The free 'Life in Still Life' exhibition will showcase 54 artworks on the theme of still life selected by the members of The Association of Art and Design Education.

Welcoming attendees to the exhibition, Desi McDonnell from the Department of Finance said: "Exhibitions like this play a key role in making our artwork accessible to the public which is so important. For over 20 years we have partnered with Office of Public Works to bring our collections to a wider audience. Libraries play a key role in the local community, I'm delighted we are able to bring this exhibition to this stunning venue so visitors can not only see first-hand the work of our talented local artists but can also enjoy all that our public libraries have to offer."

Opening the Life in Still Life exhibition, Maurice Buckley Chairman of the OPW said: "Thank you to Libraries NI for hosting the exhibition – libraries are gateways to participation in the arts. The OPW is delighted to have the opportunity to share the talent and creativity of artists included in the exhibition with visitors to Holywood library. Over the past twenty years the Department of Finance and the OPW have worked together on the annual touring exhibition with the purpose of sharing the work of visual artists with new audiences."

Jim O'Hagan, Libraries NI Chief Executive said: "Libraries NI is delighted to be working with the Department of Finance in conjunction with the Office of Public Works to bring artwork from their two collections to a wider public audience. Libraries are perfectly placed to assist in the development of new and existing audiences for the arts and I would encourage art lovers and those who have never been to an exhibition to pay it a visit while on display in Holywood Library."

The exhibition will run from Tuesday 05 November until Saturday 04 January and is free to attend.



(JG/CM)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

05 July 2001
MINISTER ANNOUNCES MAJOR REVIEW OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES
THE Department of Culture is set to undertake a major review of Northern Ireland’s Library Service facilities. Announcing the review, ‘Tomorrow’s Libraries', Mr McGimpsey, Culture, Arts and Leisure Minister, said: “For over a century, our public libraries have provided an invaluable education and information service for the entire community.
03 September 2003
Governments' joint art exhibition opens in Antrim
Minister of Finance, Ian Pearson, has jointly opened a North-South Government art exhibition at Clotworthy Arts Centre in Antrim. Mr Pearson, representing the Department of Finance and Planning, was joined at the unveiling by Irish Minister of State, Tom Parlon TD, representing the Office of Public Works form the Republic of Ireland.
17 October 2014
Cross-Border Art Exhibition Opens At Stormont
A new, cross-border collection of public artworks has gone on display at Stormont, following collaboration between Northern Ireland's Finance Minister Simon Hamilton and the Republic of Ireland’s Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Simon Harris.
06 February 2015
Department Of Education Urges Participation In National Libraries Day
The Department of Education is encouraging young people and parents to engage in National Libraries Day tomorrow. Education Minister John O'Dowd has launched 'Education Works', a new campaign to encourage families to get involved in a child’s learning.
14 August 2024
Belfast Manufacturing Exhibition & Conference Returns
The 5th instalment of the annual Manufacturing & Supply Chain Conference & Exhibition will take place on September 12, boasting the biggest gathering of its kind in Northern Ireland.