This article is from page 36 of the 2009-02-03 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 36 JPG
DUTCH-born artist Trudi Van der Elsen has taken the position of di- rector of the Courthouse Gallery in Ennistymon. Trudi, who is based in Kildysert, took over the reins at the gallery from previous director Maria Kerin late last month.
Having worked extensively across Europe and in Canada, Trudi is hop- ing to bring some of this internation- al experience to bear in Ennistymon.
Since its reopening in 2007, the Courthouse has become a_ focal point for art in north Clare. With a number of resident artists working in the second-floor studio, and a full
programme of artistic events in the gallery, the project has brought a new momentum to the artistic life on the area.
‘Maria was the first director here and she did a wonderful job of putting together a programme for the current year, so I will start by following up on this programme,” said Trudi.
“We really try to get a lot of differ- ent types of art in the gallery, from installation and performance, to paintings, photography – everything really. We have also had poetry recit- als, small music recitals and events like that in the past.”
Besides the downstairs gallery space, the courthouse will soon open
a new small exhibition space known as The Red Couches Space. This, combined with the resident artists buzzing in the studios, will continue to bring a new energy to the town.
“It makes it very lively. Artists come and go and there is always something happening. It makes the gallery more open and it brings an energy to the town,’ she said.
‘“Brid Harhen will have one of the first exhibitions in the Red Couches Space. We are hoping that it will be a real community space where the Courthouse Studio artists as well as artists from the community can ex- hibit their work and share ideas to- gether.”
Over the next few months, the gal- lery will host exhibitions from Boz Mugabe, opening on February 1]; an exhibition of drawing from the gallery’s own Life Drawing Group, which also opens on February 11; and an exhibition from Brid Harhen which opens on February 14.
To keep in touch with events at the gallery, phone 065 707163, e-mail ennistymoncourthousegallery@gm ail.com or check out the blog at en- nistymoncourthousegallery.blogs- pot.com.