Feile na mBlath Festival is a Stunning Success

Musicians entertaining the crowd at Feile na mBlath

The 2008 edition of Feile na mBlath was a fantastic success despite a torrential downpour on Saturday. With over 3000 people attending events over the three day course of the Festival, this year's Feile na mBlath was the best attended in the Festival's short history.

Samhlaiocht presented 18 workshops as part of the Festival. With 9 workshops taking place on Friday and an additional 9 workshops taking place on Saturday, that covered everything from flower making to painting.

Workshop participant at Feile na mBlath

Over 300 school children attended the workshops on Friday and Samhlaiocht brought in a magician, stilt walker and face painters to brighten up the proceedings further. The weather on Saturday tried its best to make a damp squib of things but those that braved the rain had a wonderful time.

Fire eaters and stilt walkers liven up proceedings

And while the weather did its worst, Tralee Town Council did its best providing entertainment, music, guided walks, gardening workshops and recitals for both adults and children ensuring that people left with a smile on their face.

Exhibition Of New Work By Eileen Kennedy

Eileen Kennedy outside her studio in Ashgrove, Tralee

You sometimes hear an artist say they find art therapeutic and when you visit Eileen Kennedy's intimate little studio, it's easy to see why! Eileen, who is married to local music legend, James Kennedy, and has two children, Clare and Ciaran, has a delightful studio behind her house in Ashgrove in Tralee. Access to the studio is by way of a meticulously kept garden that features statues of the Buddha and is soothing to the senses from the first moment of entry.

"Before we built the studio, I used to paint in an upstairs bedroom and when I was preparing the dinner I'd move the easel down to the kitchen and place it next to the cooker," laughs Eileen, "so it's nice to have a space that's dedicated to Art."

Eileen, who is from Tralee originally, studied art at Crawford School of Art and Design where she was awarded Student of the Year by the Cork Arts Society. She is a born painter, sculptor and print-maker and finds inspiration in life but also in the tactile interaction with the materials she uses. In fact one of her earliest memories is of asking her grandfather to show her how to paint at the extraordinarily young age of two! "I love the freedom and sense of discovery every time I create something," she says, "and it's a feeling that I have loved for as long as I can remember."

And while Eileen works primarily from her painting studio at home she also travels to Cork Printmakers on a regular basis. Her work has been shown extensively in Ireland and she has exhibited in Belgium, China and right across the U.S.

One exhibition currently running in America was organised by Jimmy Deenihan, TD for Kerry North. The exhibition, titled, A Different Land: Irish Bogland Interpretations, opened in New York in March of this year at Magnan Projects and features Eileen's print, Windblown Cotton, as well as work from another 26 Irish artists. "Jimmy has been a huge help to me and many other Kerry artists," said Eileen, "not just for this but for all the work he puts into the annual art exhibition in Finuge, during The Sean McCarthy Weekend, and much more besides."

Another two of Eileen's prints were selected for a touring exhibition in the U.S., Prints from Ireland, and, as you read this, are on route to Hawaii.

Luckily, though, you won't have to go to Hawaii to view her prints, as an exhibition of her work will go on display at the new Samhlaiocht Gallery on Thursday, July 10th. The exhibition will be opened by Jimmy Deenihan. Eileen is no stranger to Samhlaiocht having exhibited at the gallery in 2004.

Paper Pool of Love. Watercolour by Eileen Kennedy

"Eileen's last show was a sell-out success," said Trish Thompson, Gallery Coordinator of Samhlaiocht, "and we're delighted to have her back for another exhibition. Her prints flow with an energy that mirrors life and while some are imbued with painterly vigour that belie the formal structure of the printmaking process others are implicitly adherent to the process. It's a wonderful combination and the work is both free flowing and immediate, yet, at the same time, structured and considered."

Eileen elaborates saying, "I relate to Art that is honest and real and reveals life with all its perfections and flaws. There is a beauty and rawness to life and Nature that I seek to express in my work."

This beauty and rawness resonates with the viewer and is surely, at least, partly responsible for Eileen's success to date. Not only are her exhibitions successes but her work features in a wide range of privately held Art Collections including those of AIB, Kerry County Council and Kerry Education Service while she has also been short-listed to design collectors' coins for the Central Bank.

Success aside, you get the feeling that if all sales were to dry up tomorrow Eileen would still paint and print in her little studio. "Sometimes when I feel exhausted that exhaustion is equally evident in the work and results in pieces that are softer and, somehow, more human," she says.And it's that honesty, that willingness to put herself into her work, which makes it so appealing both to Eileen as an artist and to the viewer.

The exhibition opens on Thursday, July 10th, and runs until Friday, August 1st, in the new Samhlaiocht Gallery which is located in the Old Presbytery on Lower Castle Street in the heart of Tralee. The Gallery is open from 10 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday, is free to visit and all are welcome.

For more information on Samhlaiocht please log on to http://www.samhlaiocht.com/

KFF 2008 - Call for Submissions

KFF ISSUES A CALL FOR ENTRIES TO THE 9th ANNUAL KERRY FILM FESTIVAL

Kerry Film Festival to offer a e5,000 cash prize in Best Director Competition

The Samhlaiocht Kerry Film Festival, which is celebrating nine years of bringing film to the people of Kerry, has issued a call for entries for the Kerry Film Festival 2008, which runs from November 1st to November 8th.

"The Kerry Film Festival is committed to playing a leading role in providing a forum for emerging talent in film," said Jason O' Mahony, Artistic Director Kerry Film Festival. "This dedication is evidenced by both the quality of the films screened and the prizes on offer, with a top cash prize of e5,000 for KFF's Best Director, as well as a number of prizes in other categories including Best Irish Short, Best International Short, Best Documentary Short and Best Animated Short."

All prizes including Best Director will be selected by a jury of internationally renowned film professionals. Past adjudicators of the Kerry Film Festival Short Film Competition have included such luminaries as Mike Leigh, Jim Sheridan, Neil Jordan and Gabriel Byrne. John Carney, director of ONCE, has agreed to adjudicate this year with more adjudicators to be announced shortly.

"We're delighted to have such an amazing filmmaker as John onboard to help adjudicate the shorts," said O' Mahony. "Short film is a compelling format with much of the work displaying a freshness and originality that is lacking from more formulaic studio releases, so it'll be interesting to see what John thinks of the films."

When asked what makes KFF special he said, "I think having so many of the filmmakers on hand to speak about their films and their creative journey ensures a rewarding film festival experience for both the filmmaker and the audience. One of the advantages of KFF, I suppose, is that it's such an intimate little festival but the quality of the films and quality of the adjudicators consistently punches above its weight."

While the main focus of the festival will continue to be on shorts, this year sees an extension of the programme. "Last year was our most successful Festival so far," said O' Mahony. "We screened more films to more people in more venues that ever before and this year we're hoping to top that!" The 2008 edition of the Festival will see an expansion of the feature programme which proved so successful in 2007, KFF 2008 will also see more Education screenings, more active retired screenings and a larger workshop programme.

Kerry Film Festival will work in conjunction with the Cork Film Centre to bring a top notch film workshop programme to Kerry, Cork Film Centre will also curate an experimental film programme. "The Cork Film Centre is delighted to be working with the Kerry Film Festival," said Chris Hurley, Cork Film Centre. "We are pleased to be collaborating in presenting an eye-opening programme of contemporary Irish experimental film, curated by Maximilian Le Cain. Additionally, we will sponsor a cash prize of e500 to be awarded to the winner in the Best Animated Short category."

For more information on the Samhlaiocht Kerry Film Festival please log on to http://www.kerryfilmfestival.com/ or to download application forms please log on to http://www.kerryfilmfestival.com/Application_Form_2008.pdf

For more info on Cork Film Centre please log onto http://www.corkfilmcentre.com/

Live @ 8 - Looking for Artists!

Live @ Number Eight is a monthly event in Bar Number 8, Galway City, Ireland. Each month, the organisers curate an evening of screenings, music, performance, installation and sound.

The event provides an opportunity for artists and audience to come together to engage in new work in a relaxed and supportive environment.

Live @ Number 8 is now calling for submissions for its events in Autumn and Winter 2008. Live @ Number 8 is also interested in receiving submissions by curators wishing to curate a guest slot.

Submissions will be accepted by post and should include CV, statement and a CD Rom of images. Please include a DVD of your work if appropriate. To have your submission returned, please include a SAE.

Closing Date for applications is 30 June 2008. Please Post submissions to:

Live @ Number 8

c/o Galway Arts Centre

47 Dominick St

Galway

For more information please email Maeve, Aine or Vivienne on liveatnumber8@gmail.com

Knitters of the World Unite!!

World Wide Knit in Public Day is a day for knitters, who generally work alone, to get together and show the general public that this craft is alive and thriving!

It is the largest knitting event in the world and will be open to all the fibre arts. It's not limited to knitters, so bring your knitting, crochet, spindle along and join in the fun!!

Meet other knitters in your area, start a knitting group, even learn how to knit. This event is free and family friendly. For more information check out http://www.wwkipday.com/ or email shebeens@gmail.com

Samhlaiocht Presents Feile na mBlath Workshops

Samhlaiocht is delighted to present 18 workshops as part of this year's Feile na mBlath. With 9 workshops taking place on Friday, June 20th and an additional 9 workshops taking place on Saturday, June 21st covering everything from flower making to painting there's something for every young budding artist and gardener at this year's festival.

There are only 12 places in each of the Children's workshops and they have been booking out quickly, with all places in Friday's workshops booked by interested local primary schools, but there are still places left in the Saturday workshops. Saturday's workshops take place from 12:00 noon until 3:00 pm, with three workshops starting every hour.

Samhlaiocht has also brought in a magician, stilt walker and face painters to brighten up the proceedings at the Teddy Bear's Picnic which will take place from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon on Friday.

We can't guarantee the weather but we can guarantee fun and with keepsakes from most of the workshops participants are sure to go home with smiles on their faces whether the sun is smiling down or not! And with Tralee Town Council pulling out all the stops providing entertainment, music, guided walks, gardening workshops and recitals for adults there's something for everyone.

Pop down to Tralee Town Park any time from 11:00 am on Friday June 20th to 5:00 pm on Sunday, June June 22nd to flavour the fun of the Feile na mBlath Festival.

Lisa Hannigan back in Killorglin

Sol y Sombra Live Presents

Lisa Hannigan and Band

Lisa is no stranger to Killorglin, having played in Sol y Sombra for the Donal Dineen Month of Sunday concert as part of the Kerry Film Festival in November 07. As part of her first ever tour, she is playing Sol y Sombra on Thursday 19th June with her full band.
Sol Y Sombra expects the concert to sell quickly so please let them know if you need tickets.

Thursday 19th June

Tickets e15. Tapas Served from 17:00 - 19:15 (last orders)
Places limited. Reservations Essential
For Tickets Call 066 9762348 or email info@solysombra.ie

New Book from Mercier Press

DARK CORNERS
Gerard Mac Manus

As a young man in 1960's Ireland, Gerard Mac Manus joined the Irish Army. This set in train a sequence of events that resulted in him:

-Guarding Europes borders during the Cold War
-Patrolling the meanest streets in the world as a cop in Atlanta
-Going undercover in high living and low life Florida
-Investigating the infamous Atlanta Child Murders
-Handling security for America’s banking industry

Among other adventures, Gerard Mac Manus nearly killed President Nixon's best friend, almost arrested one of the world's biggest rock groups at the 1969 Palm Beach Rock Festival and reluctantly found himself responsible for the security of Yitzhak Rabin, against his wishes.

Mac Manus has seen more action and witnessed more pivotal events - from the Cold War to responses to 9/11 - than most would ever dream about. His life is an Irishman's record of the violence, organised corruption, and compassion found in America and the west during the last fifty years.

Surrounded since childhood by literary and artistic achievement, but writing for the first time about his life experiences, Mac Manus digs deep into his dark times to reveal a powerful story.

Author Information
Gerard Mac Manus was born and raised in Dundalk. Having traveled widely throughout his life, he and his wife now spend their time between their homes in Asia and Europe.

Dark Corners is published in paperback at €12.99

For more information please log onto http://www.mercierpress.com/

Artist in the Community Scheme

Are you an artist working in different social contexts or with communities? The deadline for the next Artist in the Community Scheme is 27 June. The scheme covers all art forms - visual arts, dance, film, literature and theatre.

The Artist in the Community Scheme 2008
Twice yearly, the Arts Council offers grants to enable artists and communities of place or interest to work together on projects. The Artist in the Community Scheme is managed by Create, the national development agency for collaborative arts, providing services for arts development and collaborative arts practice in Ireland. The aim of the scheme is to encourage intense collaboration between communities of place and/or interest and artists, culminating in an artwork or a project in which the members of the community group and the artists work together in order to realise an artistic project or an event. It is essential that meaningful consultation take place between the artist and the community group, so that both parties are involved in deciding on the nature of the project. Group ownership of the art should be maintained at every stage.

There are two phases to the scheme:

Phase One: Research & Development, is open to artists and arts practitioners who wish to research and develop a project in a community context. Maximum time frame is 3 months. The maximum amount awarded in this phase is e1,000.

Phase Two: Project Realisation, is open to communities of interest or place (or their representative organisations), planning a project of between 6 weeks and 5 months with a maximum award of e5000, and those who are planning a project of between 6 months and 9 months with a maximum award of e10,000.

The next deadline for this scheme is 5pm, Friday 27 June 2008.

For further information, application forms or to book an advisory session, contact Katherine Atkinson, Project Support and Professional Development, 01-4736600 support@create-ireland.ie

For more on Create Ireland please long onto http://www.create-ireland.ie/

Arts Council May Newsletter

Mr Martin Cullen TD, the new Minister for Arts Sports and Tourism, made his first official visit to the Arts Council on Tuesday 27 May. The Minister met members of the Council and staff and had a short briefing on the work of the Arts Council. He also met members of the Circus community who were attending a consultation meeting at the Arts Council offices in Merrion Square.

The month of May marks the beginning of a busy arts festival season, and this month the Arts Council offered funding totalling e500,000 to 99 small festivals under round two of the Small Festivals scheme. We were particularly pleased to award 24 first time applicants funding this year. Festivals remain one of the most effective ways in which the arts are made available to large numbers of people. The role of the voluntary boards and committees in bringing these arts festival programmes together merits special mention. A list of the successful recipients of grant aid under the small festivals scheme is available on our website.

The Arts Council has a long standing commitment to the individual artist and this month announced an increase in the Cnuas payment to Aosdána members which will be phased in over three years. This increase is intended to bring the real value of the Cnuas back in line with the cost of living, and is one of a number of measures intended to improve the living and working conditions of artists.

We also have details of 10 new members of Aosdána and the election of Camille Souter as a new Saoi. The newly elected nominees will bring the current Aosdána membership to 235.

Elsewhere in the newsletter, we publish details of a new project intended to support greater public engagement with architecture in Ireland. The Arts Council will consider how it may best support public awareness of, and engagement with, architecture in Ireland with the assistance of this research. We draw your attention to a notice about a forthcoming project to build a public art website, and a temporary vacancy to cover maternity leave in the Arts Council for Head of Opera & Music and we have reminders about upcoming deadlines for the Bursary award, Annual Programming grants and the Artist in the Community scheme.

Finally, closing the newsletter are our regular articles from the Cultural Contact Point and news from the arts community.

1. e500,000 infusion for 99 small festivals across Ireland
The Arts Council has announced details of successful recipients under round two of the Small Festivals Scheme for 2008.Read more

2. Public engagement with architecture
The Arts Council has commissioned a team, led by Mullan Consulting, to carry out a study into the public's engagement with architecture in Ireland.Read more

3. Arts Council increases Cnuas to Aosdana members
The Arts Council has announced a significant increase in the Cnuas, the payment made to some Aosdána members to allow artists to devote themselves full time to creative work.Read more

4. Aosdana elects new Saoi and new members
Aosdana elects 10 new members and announces Camille Souter as Saoi.Read more

5. Public art website notice
A notice about the Arts Council's plans to develop a public art website.Read more

6. Head of Music and Opera (Temporary to cover Maternity Leave)
The Arts Council has a temporary vacancy for an exceptionally talented individual to take up the position of Head of Music and Opera.Read more

7. Closing date: Bursary award
The closing date for receipt of applications for the Bursary award is 5.30pm on Thursday 26 June 2008. Read more

8 Closing date: Artist in the Community scheme
Twice yearly, the Arts Council offers grants to enable artists and communities of place or interest to work together on projects.The next deadline for the scheme is 5pm Friday 27 June 2008.Read more

9. Closing date: Annual Programming Grants
The closing date for receipt of applications for Annual Programming Grants is 5.00 pm, Wednesday 25 June 2008.Read more

10. News from the arts community
Opportunities in the arts community in May include: Dance Research Forum Ireland invites applications for the position of Dance Archive Researcher; details of a professional development course for artists working in healthcare settings and Wexford Arts Centre and Wexford County Council are seeking applications for their annual Emerging Visual Artist Award; Dun Laoghaire Rathdown Public Library Serivce has a call for 'writer in residence at DLR libraries and the Institute of Art, Design and Technology also has a call for writer in residence, at IADT. Read more

11. International news from the Cultural Contact Point
News from the CCP in May includes: news on the upcoming publication of the new EU Culture Programme Guide; a notice about the Grundtvig contact seminars in Graz and Helsinki; call for Proposals to run EU Prize for Literature; and deadlines for the European Commission support for cultural activities in Egypt. Read more