Vincent’s ‘pinch me’ moment as he opens local art gallery

After many years of working largely behind the scenes, local artist, Vincent Devine, has admitted that opening his own art gallery in Tullamore is a “real pinch me moment.”

The exceptionally talented artist, who came to international prominence when he painted a wonderful triptych painting of cervical cancer campaigner, Vicky Phelan, earlier this year, opened the doors of his new art gallery and studio to the public for the first time today on Friday last and he says he is “very excited about the future.”

The art gallery is located in a spacious unit on Church Road in Tullamore, beside Bueno Ice Cream Parlour. As well as having space to display his paintings, the building will also double up as a studio where the gifted artist can work on his commissions and meet with clients during the week.

“The walls in the gallery are moveable, which makes it easy to use the space in a creative way,” explains Vincent, “so I can use the whole floor area for an exhibition one day, and the next I can divide it up so that I have both studio and exhibition space.”

Having held down various jobs around Tullamore for many years while, at the same time, working as an artist, Vincent Devine says it is “a huge thrill” for him to be able to drive into the town now and see a business that he has created.

“Honestly, I never thought it would happen,” he says, adding that it is “all a bit surreal.” He is eternally grateful for the local support he has received and says everyone has been 100% behind his new venture.

While the grand opening for the Vincent Devine Art Gallery & Studio will take place later in the summer, the opening hours at present are Friday from 12 noon to 9pm, Saturday from 12 noon to 8pm and Sunday from 12 noon to 6pm.

Vincent says he will spend Monday to Thursday working on commission work in his studio space, and will also be available to meet, by appointment, with prospective customers. He says he has already had some “powerful conversations and profound experiences” when working on a one-to-one basis.

Since creating the wonderful painting to depict the life of Vicky Phelan, which was deeply moving and personal, Vincent Devine has received a lot of work from clients who are anxious to have their lives, or the lives of their loved ones, re-created on canvas. “People have told me deeply personal stories, and it is a great privilege for me to hear these stories and to be able to bring them to life in my paintings.”

The Vicky Phelan painting, which realised over €58,000 for frontline workers when it was auctioned, is due to go on a nationwide tour later this year and will be on display in the artist’s gallery at some point on that tour.

“For the moment, I am just delighted to finally be in my own Art Gallery and Studio space,” says Vincent Devine. “It’s a dream come true," he concluded.