Celebrated Limerick artists are ready to have a big P-Arty this December!

THE P-Arty in the Peoples’ Museum of Limerick will bring together a group of Limerick artists, who want to celebrate the camaraderie and support that can come with being involved in the arts.

The exhibition, opening this Thursday, December 4, is curated by renowned Castleconnell artist Clare Hartigan.

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Clare says being an artist may seem like a very quiet and lonely space to exist in, yet it is from this space that you can find and connect with others who are doing the same thing in a different way. 

“Social media has made the world a very small place but the joy of meeting a painter you may have seen online - face-to-face - is second to none. As an artist, stepping into another artist’s studio can be a church-like experience. 

“Not unlike musicians that bounce off each other and respond through sound, visual artists have their own ways of communication and responding. When it happens in an honest, gentle, giving and taking type way it really is a connection that goes beyond what words can,” said Clare.

Right now in Limerick, we seem to be the envy of the Irish creative community, she says. 

“To my knowledge, there are very few cities that have a manned and cared-for venue with an enthusiastic staff and dedicated management like The Peoples’ Museum of Limerick. It offers the facility of a show by merely signing up to the date you are interested in.

"You just pay the small weekly fee, and you're in, without submission fee, without complicated application process, without dictations. No. 2 Pery Square has proudly taken its place as a safe space and a shining gem in the heart of beautiful Georgian Limerick,” said Clare. 

When Michael Collins first spoke to her about his interest in putting an exhibition of a group of “Limerick Friends” together she admits her ears perked up. 

“The whole Collins family are legends of the Limerick creative scene. People like Michael Collins, Martin Finnin and the late, great Billy Hayes, to me as a young college student, had a Godlike presence around the city. Following the death of Billy I think there is a feeling of needing to seize the day, mark the moment and celebrating what we have. 

“We fumbled our way though the idea with conversation over and back between Barcelona and Limerick and eventually settled on a familiar grouping that came together in an organic and instinctive way,” explained Care. 

A mixture of family and friends, this collaboration spans between decades of youthfulness  and experience. It shows how art has no age limit and the importance of encouraging “ new blood” into the game, said Clare.

Also included in this show’s line up is her fabulous mum - Barbara Hartigan - who has been a constant companion in art and friendship to so many Limerick artists. Her guidance and honesty is always invaluable.

Joining them is Martin Finnin, originally from the heart of Limerick city, and recently returned to much acclaim with his first solo show in Limerick in 25 years.

Teresa Collins, part of the next generation of Collins’ coming through to make their mark on the city, is currently involved in the establishment of Starling, an artist-led space on Nicolas Street. 

Last but certainly not least, Oisin Cleary is an active member of Limerick Printmakers and is developing his practice while currently working with traditional screen printing methods. 

Viewing at the People’s Museum will be open until Sunday, December 7, with opening night at 6.30pm this Thursday, December 4. All are welcome.