2 June 2017
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Sherkin Island is located off West Cork. It is connected to the mainland by a ferry that runs from Baltimore.
Sherkin Island will hold its annual community arts & craft exhibition at the Sherkin Island Community Hall on June 17th -18th as part of the West Cork Islands Festival.
‘The Gathering’ exhibition will be officially opened by Ann Davoren, director of the West Cork Arts Centre, in the Community Hall on Sherkin Island at 2:30pm on Saturday 17th June.
Curated by Sherkin Island artist, Mona O’ Driscoll, the exhibition will include a wide variety of arts and crafts, ranging from drawings, paintings and sculpture to photography, basket-weaving, textiles and jewellery – all made by island residents.
An interesting facet of the exhibition is that it will also feature photographs of Sherkin Island animals, which will be displayed around the Community Hall.
Aisling Moran, West Cork Development Worker, said: “Our annual exhibition is a wonderful opportunity to gather the creative work of our community but also to gather together for what is always a lovely social event to celebrate the amazing talent that’s on this island.
“In addition to the arts and crafts on display, we are inviting the entire island community to take pictures of Sherkin Island animals as they are very much part of our thriving community too. The images will circle the exhibition space to show our strong connection with the wildlife, farming and our pet community here on Sherkin Island.”
Picture shows from left to right: Sherkin Islanders, Charlie Green, Mona O’ Driscoll, Jo Ashby and Terry Farnell, some of the many residents who will be exhibiting in The Gathering arts & crafts exhibition which opens on Saturday 17th June at 2:30pm in the Community Hall on Sherkin Island. Photographer: Robbie Murphy
There will also be opportunities for visitors to join in practical sessions in the Community Hall on Sunday 18th June from 1pm, including photography, haiku and knitting workshops.
“It promises to be a great weekend, and we look forward to welcoming visitors to the island. An added bonus is that we have a new series of walks around the island this year- all clearly signed – so it’s a great opportunity to make a day of it and explore the island’s beaches and scenic beauty,” said Aisling Moran.
Several island artists will also be opening their studios to visitors over the weekend of ‘The Gathering’ exhibition.
The West Cork Islands Festival is supported by Fáilte Ireland and Cork County Council.
A regular ferry service runs from Baltimore to Sherkin Island: http://www.sherkinisland.eu/ferry
