The Moat Theatre in Naas, Co. Kildare is synonymous with great entertainment; from local Moat Club productions to well known Irish and International acts and touring shows.
Now the artistic horizons of the Theatre are being broadened with the new art initiative spearheaded by The Moat Theatre Manager, Celine Garvey, and local artist Sharon Fidgeon.
Celine Garvey has long been involved in the Arts having graduated from National College of Art and Design (NCAD) in Dublin, and has worked at The Moat Theatre for ten years.
She says she is excited to be offering the foyer space to local artists, designers and crafters. “We had our first art event in The Moat Theatre foyer at Christmas, with a ‘Paint and Sip with Sharon’ and it was a great success. Having trained as an Art Teacher myself, I know that absolutely everyone can draw, paint and create, they just need to be facilitated and encouraged."
“It’s a great form of relaxation, that can be enjoyed in our space with all the materials provided. We will also hold regular exhibitions, showing work from local and national artists and hanging new art every six weeks. Running a project like this means the space will be in use all day, every day, offering a forum not only for the performing arts but the visual arts as well.”
Naas Artist, Sharon Fidgeon, will be curating the exhibitions and running classes. “I have been looking for a space for up and coming artists to exhibit and sell their work. The Moat Theatre already has a diverse audience, and we wanted to offer future visitors a wider artistic experience. It’s a unique space in the foyer, with great lighting and high ceilings; it’s basically a blank canvas.”
The first exhibition in The Moat’s Art Hub is a collaboration between married couple, Marta and Michal Golubowscy. Originally from Poland, they arrived in Ireland 13 years ago and settled down in Kildare town. They met when they started their artistic education in secondary school, and then progressed into Academy of Fine Arts in Gdansk, in Poland where they both received their MA majoring in Sculpture in 2006.
Self Portrait by Michal Golubowski
Talking to my mother by Marta Golubowska
In 2016, Marta received the prestigious Emerging Artist Award from Kildare County Council, for work 'Be-longing' about growing roots and looking for identity in a foreign country. Marta’s work is highly participatory and community based; she runs workshops for children and adults.
Cultural adjustment having relocated to Ireland and becoming an adult with dependants changed Michal’s perception of the world and started influencing his work. The focus of his art is a reflection of the human condition, what identifies us, the perception of us by the others, what defines us in the contemporary world.
Celine Garvey adds “The Naas Country Market relocates to the Theatre’s foyer from Friday, 1st February. Drama groups for children are offered by Mary Power Cooney on Tuesday afternoons, and Rachel Lally on Saturday mornings. We also have artists lined up to run art and craft workshops for children and adults. Then, we have Coffee and Cake with Wabee Tuesday to Saturday, launching an extended menu coinciding with the Market relocation in February, alongside a packed calendar of events in the auditorium. There are lots of reasons to visit us here at The Moat Theatre!”
The Marta and Michal Golubowscy exhibit runs to the middle of February.
The next ‘Sip and Paint with Sharon’ event is on Saturday, 2nd February. The theme will be tied in with the celebration of St. Brigid of Kildare and Imbolc, the ancient Irish start of Spring. Tickets are €30, includes a couple of glasses of wine, tuition and all materials. Visit www.moattheatre.com or call 045 288 30 30 for tickets
Marta’s work and information about classes may be found at www.fourhandsart.com
Michal’s website is Www.golubowska.weebly.com
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