Not everyone is fortunate enough to see Ireland’s beautiful landscape, castles and cottages in person, but getting to see these views through an artist’s eyes may be the next best thing.
The Dublin Area Art League (DAAL) puts on a few art shows each year, in addition to having member meetings, guest speakers and outreach programs. This year is the league’s third annual Irish Art Show, which features two-dimensional pieces relating to either Ireland or Dublin, Ohio. Non-members were allowed to submit, and artists featured in the show are encouraged to make their work available for sale.
Photos courtesy of Dublin Area Art League
Karen Jesko, holding her watercolor titled "Ha'Penny Bridge Irish Imports" Karen was also co-chair of the 2014 Irish Art Show
Jean Moffitt, former president of the DAAL and current chairwoman for the Irish Art Show, says the idea for the show came about a few years ago when an Irish artist was invited to display his work on a wall of the Dublin Community Recreation Center for the Dublin Irish Festival.
“We were hanging art in the rec center on a regular basis,” Moffitt says.
This was one of several venues around the community in which DAAL members’ work could be found, and it made perfect sense to have a wall dedicated to Irish art each year during the festival.
It comes as no surprise that the event has grown in the past few years. Both cash and ribbon prizes are now offered, and the show is juried, meaning that a judge selects which pieces will be displayed on the wall and which will earn prizes. Getting into a juried show is particularly exciting for an artist, Moffit says.
Judging art is, of course, a subjective experience, but there are some particular aspects that just about any judge will look at. Moffitt lists overall composition, tonal qualities and subject as some of the key factors evaluated.
She notes that the subject of the painting is perhaps most important, because it is the main thing the public notices. For example, some of the artists who have not traveled to Ireland choose to paint or photograph places in Dublin, Ohio – familiar territory for community members.
“People will occasionally see their own street or house hanging up on the wall of the rec center,” says Moffitt. “I think it’s hard for people not to buy that.”
Last year, quite a few of the DAAL members were able to sell their work at the show, including Moffitt herself, who sold a photo collage of a winter scene in Ireland. A painting of an Irish cottage won last year’s show.
Though the DAAL would not mind eventually expanding the show and finding more display space, it is very pleased with its current venue and affiliation with the Dublin Irish Festival. The league is expecting another successful year in displaying and selling its artists’ best Irish work.
Art will be displayed through Aug. 15.
Christina Szuch is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at hbealer@cityscenecolumbus.com.
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