Barna Art Fair goes from strength to strength as 25 artists prepare to exhibit
.jpg?width=96&crop=1:1,smart)
For Barna artist Paul Cluskey, what began as an ambition to create more opportunities for fellow artists has grown into a thriving annual art fair, with approximately €25,000 worth of artwork sold at last year's event.
Now in its third year, the Barna Art Fair returns to Scoil Shéamais Naofa on Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22, bringing together 25 contemporary artists from across the West of Ireland.
The idea for the fair came about after Paul returned to college in 2016 to study Contemporary Art.
While craft fairs and markets were plentiful, he became increasingly aware of the limited opportunities available for artists to showcase their work.
“I returned to college in 2016 to complete my undergrad in Contemporary Art,” he said.
“It became very evident that artists have limited opportunity to showcase their work. While there are craft fairs and markets, I felt a dedicated Art Fair was necessary.”
After completing his Master's degree in 2022, he decided to do something about it, establishing the first Barna Art Fair.
Three years on, the event continues to grow, offering artists an opportunity to exhibit and sell their work while giving visitors a chance to meet the people behind the pieces.
Among those taking part this year are Orlagh Fahy, Donnacha Quilty, Pixie, Tom Taaffe, Elaine Farrell and Tory Irvine, with a wide variety of work on display over the two days.
Visitors can expect everything from paintings and sculpture to mixed-media pieces, reflecting the range of contemporary artistic talent working in the West of Ireland.
Paul knows from his own experience how difficult it can be for artists to find opportunities to exhibit their work, and this is something he hopes the fair can address.
It also gives the public an opportunity to engage with artists in a more informal setting, away from the traditional gallery environment.
And judging by last year's sales, there is no shortage of interest in original art, with approximately €25,000 worth of work finding new homes over the weekend.
“It showcases the best of contemporary Irish art from the West of Ireland,” says Paul.
“We have 25 artists across different disciplines and it is a busy weekend on the Art calendar.
“Last year, approximately 25k worth of art was sold over the weekend. It's our third year and we're going from strength to strength.”
The timing of the fair, just over a month before Christmas, also offers an alternative to the usual festive shopping, with original artworks available across a range of styles and budgets.
This year's event will also feature a raffle of three original paintings, and admission is free.
The Barna Art Fair takes place on Saturday, November 21, and Sunday, November 22, at Scoil Shéamais Naofa, Barna. Entry is free.
Further information is available at www.barnaartfair.com.