'Art for the Soul’ to showcase work of Offaly artist's students
When Offaly artist Claire Guinan started teaching adult art classes in Tullamore back in 2008, she never envisaged the work of her students featuring on a calendar!
But, as the saying goes, the truth can sometimes be stranger than fiction, and now the magnificent work of the students who have been attending Claire's classes is set to feature on a charity calendar which will be launched at a special exhibition of their artistic talents in Esker Arts Centre next week.
'Art for the Soul' will be launched in the foyer of the Esker Arts Centre on Tullamore's High Street at 7pm on Wednesday evening next, November 12, and runs until December 18.
As well as featuring a selection of paintings and drawings by Claire Guinan's art students, the exhibition will also see the launch of the group's charity calendar – also featuring art created by the talented students.
All proceeds from the sale of the calendar, wich has been kindly sponsored by an anonymous donor, will be donated directly to Accessible Counselling Tullamore (ACT) to help fund their work in providing timely and affordable counselling services to people across the Midlands.
The calendar will be on sale on the opening night of the 'Art for the Soul' exhibition next Wednesday evening, in local shops and also in the Bridge Centre on Saturday, November 15 next.
Many of Claire Guinan's art students have been coming to her classes since 2008. After hosting classes in a number of venues, the group found their perfect home in Tullamore Tennis Club in 2018 where they have been creating beautiful artworks every Wednesday night since.
Claire has always encouraged her students to choose their own medium and subject matter, and says this has resulted in each student developing “their own style” and creating “a beautiful mix of styles and subjects”.
The fruits of their work over the years will be showcased for members of the public to view and appreciate in the 'Art for the Soul' exhibition and also on the charity calendar for ACT.
“Some of the pieces will also be on sale, and would make ideal Christmas presents as well,” points out Claire Guinan, who is a very accomplished artist in her own right, having graduated from Limerick College of Art and Design with a Degree in Fine Art. She specialised in printmaking, but due to a lack of job opportunities in her chosen field, she started doing portraiture and teaching art.
Creativity was always part of the Offaly artist's young life at her childhood home in Ballydaly, on the outskirts of Tullamore with her late mother, Teresa, being a gifted seamstress who operated her own business 'Laura Claire' for many years, and her father, Dominic, a former Maths teacher.
Music is also another big interest – Claire plays the recorder clarinet, oboe and guitar – and she is hoping at some stage in the future to stage an exhibition of her music portraiture collection to a national, and perhaps international, audience.
The collection incudes portraits of such musical luminaries as Phil Lynott; Christy Dignam; Imelda May; Gavin James; John Sheehan and Tullamore - born musician, Donal Lunny.
She has also painted a portrait of another exceptional musical talent, Tolu Makay.
This will feature in the upcoming Offaly Artists Show 2025, which will be launched in Esker Arts Centre at 3pm on Saturday, November 15.