An arts group whose work holds no boundaries should make for an exciting exhibition at the Atrium Gallery at the Council headquarters on Mount Street in Mullingar later this week.
Opening on Thursday, October 2 at 6:15pm and open to all to attend, the Eclectic Arts exhibition will feature work from several artists.
A local arts group aimed at promoting local and national artists, Eclectic Arts were formed by a small core of friends in early 2013, launching a website and Facebook page as an online gallery of sorts, not only for their own work but as a way of reaching out and becoming involved with the community, specifically those with a desire to explore that untapped part of themselves.
Their aim was to help each other out when it came to art. According to one of the founding members Ross Tormey “we focused on helping those artists that did not know where to begin with promoting their artwork. And from there we formed the website, Facebook and Twitter.”
He goes on to explain that Eclectic Arts hold no boundaries when it comes to art. “We encourage all forms of art to get involved, whether its painting, illustration, writing, photography or even music. Every form of art is welcome!”
In an area where sport is everything, one of Eclectic Arts’ main goals is to promote art in the Midlands on a more personal level. Since their establishment they have chosen regular people to share their gifts and talents as the monthly Featured Artist, as well as selecting a monthly theme for everyone to get involved with. The themes are a single phrase meant to spark inspiration and challenge the artist so that they might create something wonderful they didn’t know they were capable of.
To date, the group has featured painters, photographers, illustrators, writers, musicians, cake decorators and more, living up to their name ‘Eclectic.’ Receiving a grant from the Westmeath Arts Office via the Council earlier this year has enabled the group to expand their work and opened up some exciting avenues to get their art out there.
“We have also found some quite stunning artists” says Ross Tormey. “It has become an outlet for all types of people from all walks of life to explore their own unexpressed creativity. It is for those of us with full time jobs, children, and hectic To-Do lists who want to make time to reconnect with that often neglected part of ourselves – the artist.”
Eclectic Arts are looking forward to displaying a collection of their work in the Atrium of the Westmeath County Council Buildings. On show will be a selection of art from some of the group’s founding members and past featured artists. The opening evening is open to the public and would be a great chance to see and meet the group.
“We would like to invite everyone to join their growing community at the showcase to celebrate the wide variety of talent the Midlands has to offer,” says Ross.
The exhibition space is ideal for the group. Boards mean it can be altered and moved around during its run at the Atrium. “We want to promote local artists and feel this is the best opportunity to do that.”
The group are nicely summed up by the following artistic statement: “If you see the world through different eyes, if you want to create something meaningful from the surrounding chaos, if your muse has been whispering loudly in your ear as you put it off for another day then Eclectic Arts encourages you to join them. Who knows, you just might be an artist.”
For more: www.eclecticarts.ie or search for their Facebook page.
