Exhibition and community engagement at Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park

THE Office of Public Works (OPW), National Park & Wildlife Services and Mayo County Council’s Arts Service have announced that visual artist Susan Mannion has been selected for the public art commission at the Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park.

Susan is a talented visual artist based in Boyle, who specialises in copper enamel work, a technique that has been used since the 13th century BC, and print making.

Susan has exhibited work nationally and internationally with her work being held in several public and private collections worldwide.

The artist was selected via a two-stage open competition which attracted a large number of artists. The selection panel were greatly impressed by Susan’s approach to the commission and her proposed artwork inspired by the dark skies and the landscape.

She will be engaging with the wider community on the art project, which will be launched in 2021.

Susan will present a unique exhibition of her art practice, including enamel work, at the Ballycroy Visitor Centre at Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park for the month of October.

The artist and national park staff invite the wider community, young and old, to visit the exhibition. Susan is interested in hearing about your experiences of living near or visiting the national park and would like to learn more about what the park means to the community, what people love about this amazing place, and also about your concerns for the environment and the future.

At the exhibition in the visitor centre there will be a survey for people to share their thoughts this will also be available online: https://www.wildnephinnationalpark.ie/.

People are also encouraged to be creative in their responses and to send their writings, drawings or any artform to express their connection to the park and the landscape. These creative contributions will form an exhibition at the visitor centre in 2021.

Creative responses can be posted to Ballycroy Visitor Centre, Ballycroy, Westport, Co. Mayo, F28 RX77, or dropped into the visitor centre until November 1 as the visitor centre is closed to public after this date.

There will be a gift of a handmade enamel artwork for two lucky survey respondents/ contributors which will be randomly selected (adult and child gift). The artist will also engage with community groups and schools locally.

The OPW commissioned this art project under the Percent for Art Scheme in collaboration with the National Parks & Wildlife Service of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Mayo County Council Arts Service, marking the 10th anniversary of the visitor centre at Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park. The two-stage open competition earlier this year was coordinated by Aoife O’Toole, Acting Public Art Coordinator, Mayo Arts Service in partnership with the OPW. (Further info: https://www.wildnephinnationalpark.ie/open-call-under-the-percent-for-art-scheme/

For more information, contact the Wild Nephin Ballycroy Visitor Centre by email at ballycroyvisitorcentre@chg.gov.ie or on (098) 49888.