4 winners with the ArtSamhlaiocht has been synonymous with art and with promoting art to young people since its inception in 1992 and its current exhibition ties into both of these. Its latest exhibition features a selection of art created by children from all over the county.
"We were absolutely inundated with entries," said Jason O' Mahony, Director of Samhlaiocht. "We had entries from all over Kerry from Fenit to Kilcummin, Killarney to Castleisland. Students from 15 different schools submitted entries as well as numerous individuals. We had well over 150 entries all told!"
"One of the hardest tasks was deciding who the eventual winner should be," added Carmel Quinn, who coordinated the competition. "We spent a few days with all the art, all over the walls and all over every single desk top space in the office. We had everyone in the office driven mad!"
"Originally we were planning on having just one winner but there were so many fantastic entries that we couldn't do that!" added Carmel with a laugh. "Eventually we picked four overall winners. We framed all the winning entries and they take pride of place in the exhibition!"
"The children were asked to bear the theme of 'Legends' in mind when submitting work and we have pictures covering the whole wide range of Irish legends on the walls for the exhibition," said Jason. "The Children of Lir and The Salmon of Knowledge seemed to be particular favourites and the quality of the winning pictures was absolutely stunning!"
The four overall winners were Katrelyn Griffin, aged 11, from Blennerville National School who was inspired by the old Irish Legend,
Deirde of the Sorrrows. Lena Harkin, aged 12, and also from Blennerville National School created a wonderful piece titled, A Fishy Fiction. Megan Fort from St. John's National School in Ashe Street in Tralee created a piece inspired by
The Salmon of Knowledge. Emma Curran, aged 8, from Kilmoyley National School, created a piece inspired by
The Children of Lir.
A selection of the entries, including the four overall winners, is on display in the Samhlaiocht Gallery. The exhibition opened on Thursday, April 1st, and will be on display through out Easter. The Gallery is located in The Old Presbytery on Castle Street, in the heart of Tralee. The Gallery is open from 10 am to 5 pm. Monday to Friday and is also open Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday. It's free to visit and everyone is welcome.
The official prize giving took place at the exhibition opening in the Samhlaiocht Gallery in the Old Presbytery on Lower Castle Street, in the heart of Tralee, with prizes kindly sponsored by
O' Mahony's Bookshop, Tralee,
Polymath, Tralee and
Smyth's Toyshop.
