It's gold for Olympic-themed exhibition in Waterford Gallery of Art
Pictured at the unveiling of a portrait of John Treacy were: Georgina Drumm (Olympic Federation of Ireland), Patricia and Liz (John Treacy's sisters) and artist Sammy Kane
Waterford Gallery of Art was delighted to receive the ‘Best Exhibition of the Year’ award for its Olympic-themed ‘Muscles and Mind’ exhibition at the recent Waterford News & Star Green Room Awards.
The revival of the modern Olympic Games in the late 1890’s, by Baron Pierre De Coubertin, embodied the ideal of a marriage between ‘Art and Sport, Muscles and Mind’. The ‘Muscles and Mind: Irish Art Olympians’ exhibition coincided with the launch of the Paris 2024 Olympics and told the story of arts inclusion in the games, and displayed works by the Irish artists who participated.
With support from Waterford City and County Council’s Arts Office, Creative Ireland, and the Olympic Federation of Ireland, the exhibition featured artworks from the Waterford Art Collection, as well as loans of work by some of Ireland’s most renowned artists who competed for their country between 1924 and 1948. Artists exhibited included Jack B. Yeats, Letitia Hamilton, Seán Keating, Mainie Jellett, Fr. Jack P. Hanlon, Desmond Broe, Flora Vere O’Brien, Ina Boyle, Stella Steyn, Hilda Roberts, Sir John Lavery and Sir William Orpen. The exhibition was a fantastic success for the gallery with visitors and artists and curator Luke Currall featured on national media.
The gallery was also grateful to be acknowledged and nominated for further awards including for their current ‘Bodies’, exhibition, ‘The People’s Choice Award’, and for the ‘Outstanding Arts and Cultural Event of the Year’. Luke Currall, Visual Arts Co-Ordinator thanked all who visited, supported, exhibited, loaned work and nominated them, saying: "‘Muscles and Mind’ was a delight to work on, full of discoveries and surprises, and made us a lot of new friends on the way."
Luke thanked Pat McEvoy, Mary Frances Ryan and all at the News & Star, WLRfm and Theatre Royal.
"The awards are a fantastic evening showcasing the incredible amount of artistic talent, dedication and energy we have here in Waterford," he said.
