Published: Wednesday, 11th November, 2009 5:30pm

Former county manager launches her first art exhibition

by Deirdre Verney

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Artist and former Westmeath County Manager Ann Mc Guinness pictured with her Dad Alf Duggan at Core in Ballinahown at the launch of a new exhibition featuring her work with fellow artists Josephine Hanley, and Geraldine Kretsch.

What started out as a hobby over five years ago while she was Westmeath County Manager has become a daily labour of love for Ann McGuinness, who launched her first art exhibition in Ballinahown last week, alongside her friends, established local artists Geraldine Kretsch and Josephine Hanley.

Initially, she took up art thinking it would be a nice relaxing counterbalance to her work in the council, the Dublin native told the Westmeath Independent this week, but has since found it compulsive, so much so, that she is now studying Art and Design in GMIT on a part-time basis.

"My life would be much emptier without art. I'm relishing having the time to spend at it," Ann McGuinness enthused.

"The three of us live close together in Barrymore and the Roscommon Road and we became friendly through art. I was working as County Manager when I started and Geraldine was actually my first teacher. They are much more established than me, this is my first exhibition," she continued modestly, pointing that both Geraldine and Josephine work full-time as artists on a commission basis.

Featuring over 40 separate pieces, the exhibition showcases a mix of landscapes, still life and flora oil paintings, the majority of which draw on the natural surroundings of Lough Ree as their major influence.

"Each of us have different styles but the area draws us together. We are fond of the lake and the natural habitat and would be daily contact with the lake. Boating would be another influence on my work," Ann explained, adding that each have a separate view of Athlone but despite not coming originally from the area, they all now have strong connections to the town.

Speaking in the aftermath of the opening of her first exhibition last Thursday, Ann said she has found art a real pleasure and extremely stimulating since discovering it over five years ago. She also thanked the large crowd who turned up for the opening night of the showcase.

"I paint as much as possible now. I'm really pleased with the exhibition and I'm hoping to continue at it. I'd love people visit Ballinahown, it's a lovely spot and really important to Westmeath. In that, I'd like to express a word of gratitude to Aileen Moloney in Core Craft Art and Design for her help with the exhibition," she concluded.

The exhibition will continues every day in Core Craft Art and Design in Ballinahown until Wednesday, November 18 next.