*** TRACTON MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL ***

Festival launch, sponsored by Stonewell to mark the 8th Tracton Music & Arts Festival and 14th Tracton Artists' Annual exhibition!

Thursday, 29th June, from 6.30pm Tracton Artists' Annual Exhibition & Festival Opening. 

Opening speaker, Mr. Barney Whelan, Vice Chair of the National Gallery of Ireland, Chair of Cork International Film Festival and The Everyman Theatre and also Board Member of Uillinn , West Cork Arts Centre

This will be followed by a short speech about artist Basil Spackman, (a former resident of Tracton, now deceased) and the unveiling of a painting by him, which has been kindly donated to the centre by a friend of the festival.

7.30pm Introduction and screening of Sean Scoil, (Old School) 14'00" 

A short documentary produced, directed and edited by Lorraine Hogan. A local community saves an old school from demolition. They transform the 1836 building into a state-of-the-art community and arts centre, helping the cultural life of a rural parish in Minane Bridge, County Cork.

Venue: Inkwell Theatre, Tracton Arts & Community Centre, Minane Bridge

Admission: FREE

Snatch Comedy will be on the outdoor stage at 9pm

Come along to our FESTIVAL LAUNCH and TRACTON ARTISTS' EXHIBITION, opened by Mr. Barney Whelan, Vice Chair of the National Gallery of Ireland, Chair of Cork International Film Festival and The Everyman Theatre and also Board Member of Uillinn , West Cork Arts Centre. We thank Stonewell who is once again sponsoring the opening with their medium dry cider.  

The  annual group show, now in its 14th year, featuring the works of over thirty-five talented artists from within a six-mile radius of Minane Bridge, Co. Cork will showcase a diverse collection of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, photographs, woodwork, metalwork, and mixed media art.

Located in the Upstairs Gallery and in the Inkwell Theatre at the Tracton Arts and Community Centre, the exhibition will provide a platform for these artists to showcase their unique perspectives and techniques, allowing visitors to experience art in a beautiful setting, overlooking the marshlands of Tracton. This year, the exhibition will feature and mix of long established and emerging artists, making this year's show on of the most diverse yet. 

As well as exhibiting a piece of work, each artist is donating one (or two) original postcard sized piece(s) which will be on sale for €25, as a fundraiser for the centre. The ‘blind’ sale will be limited to the number of postcards on display so you are guaranteed to own one, when the draw takes place after the festival - piece and buyer will be matched but which one you will be matched with, will be a surprise.

Additionally, local artist Linda Taylor, donated a beautiful piece that will be raffled - raffle ticket is €5. 

The event will also feature an outdoor sculpture garden at the back of the Inkwell Theatre, curated by local bronze artist Mick Wilkins, where visitors can enjoy beautiful sculptures surrounded by nature.  

"We are thrilled to be hosting our 14th annual art exhibition and the 8th Tracton Music & Arts Festival," says the chairperson of Tracton Arts Committee, Victor Richardson. "With the diverse range of artists and artworks on display, we are confident that visitors will be inspired and moved by the creativity and talent of our local artists. The density of artists in such a small area is truly astonishing."

CHECK OUT OUR PARTICIPATING ARTISTS HERE: https://www.tracton.org/our-artists.html

Gallery opening times:

Thursday 29th June: 6.30pm Tracton Artists' Annual Exhibition & Festival Opening

Friday 30th June: 11am - 5pm / 7pm - 9pm Tea, coffee and homemade cake, available on the mezzanine

Saturday 1st July: 11am - 5pm / 7pm - 9pm Homemade cold lunch, sandwiches, savoury and sweet snacks from 12noon in the large marquee, Bar refreshments from 7pm

Sunday 2nd July: 11am - 5pm Tea, Coffee and Cake available at the Tracton Community Market (available from 11am - 1pm) Bar Refreshments, Wood fired Pizza, barbequed hot food and home-made ice-cream from 12noon in the large marquee

VISIT OUR FESTIVAL PAGE  here