His Excellency Lieutenant Governor Mr Adam Wood officially opened the Isle of Man Art Society’s Easter Exhibition at the Villa Marina Arcade. Guests attending the opening night on April 16 had a chance to see the work of more than 100 artists who are exhibiting over 400 paintings which have never been publicly displayed or put on sale before. Most of the paintings will be available to purchase and, for the first time at the event, there is a craft section featuring stunning 3D artworks such as wood carving, ceramics, jewellery and gift cards. The exhibition, which is being sponsored by Manx Telecom, runs until April 25 and is open daily from 10am and 5pm in the Villa Marina Arcade (except April 25 when it will be open from 10am until 1pm).
The Lieutenant Governor was given a guided tour of artworks on display by Isle of Man Art Society Chairman David Sayle, the Society’s Education Officer and Committee member Peter Hepworth, and Manx Telecom Data Centres Director Stuart Paul. In addition to sponsoring the exhibition, Manx Telecom is also the official communications partner for Island of Culture 2014 which is a celebration of dance, music, theatre, the visual arts and literature, film and digital innovation.
In his speech to officially open the exhibition, His Excellency spoke about the wealth of artistic talent which the Island has, and how he has seen local artists progress in the four years he has attended the event. Also attending the opening night was renowned Manx artist David Byrne. During the exhibition raffle tickets will be on sale every day to win his watercolour painting of Old Kirk Braddan Church. It is on display and the raffle will be drawn on Friday April 25. There is a second prize of ?50. Byrne is Manx-born and has lived on the Island all his life and began painting in 1956. Working mostly in watercolours and pastels exhibiting landscapes and seascapes regularly in local shows and galleries, his work has also been exhibited by the Royal Institute of Watercolour Painters in London, The Pastel Society and The Royal Cambrian Academy in Wales. He also occasionally exhibits work featuring subjects painted on holiday - Venice being a favourite venue - but mostly he is inspired by the Isle of Man and its ‘Manxness’. He is presently Vice-President of the Isle of Man Art Society.
Entry to the exhibition costs ?1.50 which includes a catalogue of paintings. For more information go to www.isleofmanartsociety.com/easter-exhibition-2014
Photo - His Excellency Lieutenant Governor Mr Adam Wood (third from left) at the opening night of the Isle of Man Art Society’s Easter Art Exhibition at the Villa Marina Arcade. With him, left to right, are Peter Hepworth, Art Society Education Officer and Committee member; David Sayle, Art Society Chairman; and Stuart Paul, Manx Telecom Data Centres Director.
