This article is from page 37 of the 2009-05-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 37 JPG
A UNIQUE collaboration between the Irish Museum of Modern Art and the Iniscealtra Festival of the Arts based in Mountshannon will have people aged seven to seventy getting out the paint and brushes.
While youngsters and older people alike are enjoying the experience of producing their own art, one resident in Raheen, Paddy Gleeson, was cel- ebrating a very special birthday this week.
Art by Alice Maher and Paula Rego is on loan to Scariff Library as part of the festival.
More than 100 local school chil- CUCU MM AU MM ATS [Mn NeCoMy Col loimB DOMES KOEI OSS and then use the art room at Raheen to produce their own works, based on what they have seen.
Later in the day, more visitors to Raheen will have the opportunity to see the exhibition and can also pro- duce their own work.
All of the artwork will be later put on exhibit in Scariff library. The exhibitions will also be open to the public.
The art on loan from the Irish Mu- seum of Modern Art’s collection by internationally renowned artists Al- ice Maher and Paula Rego explores the world of childhood stories and memories, nursery rhymes and fairy
tales, in keeping with this year’s fes- tival theme of ‘Myths and Legends’. School children and Raheen Day Care Centre visitors will be led by artists Terry O’Farrell and Nicola Henley in producing their own mas-
terpieces.
“The IMMA has been co-operating with us for 14 years in loaning art during the festival and it’s an impor- tant part of the event because other- wise, a lot of people would never get
the chance to see these works. Not many people would travel to Dublin just to see them,” said Nicola.
The art event 1s supported by the Department of Education and Sci- ence.
Meanwhile, friends and staff at Raheen were helping Paddy Glee- son celebrate his 105th birthday on Wednesday.
Described as a great historian and storyteller, Paddy is “very spry and with it”, staff say.
A full time resident in Raheen in recent months, Paddy was living in a sheltered housing scheme until then.
“He had lots of friends coming in to congratulate him. He’s a great man for telling stories and people love to hear him,” a staff member at the hos- pital said.
To mark the day, Paddy got his fifth presidential medal, an accolade presented to people who reach their 100th birthday and more.
‘“He’s got quite a collection now,” a friend said.