On Friday 12th September at 6.30pm the Make Straight for the Shore exhibition will be officially opened by Stephen McKenna. Stephen McKenna, a graduate of the Slade School of Fine Art, is recognized as one of the foremost painters working in Ireland today. He has worked and lived in Italy, Belgium, Germany at various stages during his illustrious career. His paintings are included in some of the most prestigious public and private art collections worldwide. The exhibition, which has been assembled from a range of public and private collections reflects important features of Irish Art during Benedict Kiely's lifetime and weaves together themes such as exile, memory, human connections and a sense of place which also underpin and give warmth and depth to Kiely's writing. Mrs Terry Sweeney is a local expert on Art History having taught at Omagh CBS for over 20 years and specialises in Irish Art of the 20th Century. Mrs Sweeney will be leading a Gallery Talk on Wednesday 24th September at 11.00am and an illustrated talk on Thursday 25th September at 7.30pm and given her experience in education and Art History these talks will be of particular benefit to art students and members of the public who have an interest in art. Both talks are free and have limited places, therefore early booking is essential.
