LAS 80 Exhibition Celebrating Limerick Art Society at 80
and the many artists of the region in the visual arts
The LAS 80 Exhibition, to be held at Limerick City Gallery of Art, celebrates the many achievements and successes of Limerick Art Society and its members over the years.
2022 is the 80th Anniversary of the formation of Limerick Art Society the oldest societies of its kind in Ireland. The aims of the Society are to bring art to people of all walks of life and to help the less experienced as well as accomplished artists to achieve artistic excellence. It has been delivering these through its workshops, demonstrations, art classes and exhibitions for 80 years.
LAS 80 will present a large number of recent paintings by local artists. It is an opportunity to view and enjoy them, and to purchase unique and original works of art.
We are delighted that Barbara Hartigan has agreed to accept the position of LAS President in this important anniversary year. Barbara is a prominent and accomplished artist who is a passionate believer in the power of art to communicate, engage, entertain, challenge, inform and influence. She succeed Right Reverend Dr. Robert Wyse Jackson who was President of the Society until 1970, followed by Dr Edward Walsh, founding President of the University of Limerick, until 1983 and then by the late Dr. Thomas Ryan, Past President of the Royal Hibernian Association, the prominent and renowned, Limerick born artist and Freeman of Limerick.
The formal opening of LAS will be by Professor Shane Kilcummins, Deputy President of UL, on Thursday, 22nd September from 5pm to 7pm.
Further information about Limerick Art Society can be found at www.limerickartsociety.ie
About Limerick Art Society
Limerick Art Society was formed in 1942 in the dark days of “The Emergency” during the Second World War. From its earliest days its aims have been to bring art to people of all walks of life and to help the less experienced as well as accomplished artists to achieve artistic excellence. It has been delivering these for more than 80 years making it the oldest societies of its kind in Ireland.
Many of our members have been regular contributors to galleries and exhibitions nationally and throughout the region. Many of the more experienced members provide classes in the visual arts in Limerick and more widely.
It is an indication of the prestige of the Society that Mary Robinson performed the Opening Ceremony of the Society’s “Golden Jubilee Exhibition” in the Limerick City Gallery of Art in 1992. In 2012 President Michael D. Higgins opened its “70th Anniversary Exhibition” in the Hunt Museum, his first formal visit to Limerick as President of Ireland.
The Limerick Art Society, Silver Medal has been awarded to Tom Greaney, painter, teacher and mentor; Gerde Hughes, long time stalwart of the Society, Barbara Hartigan and Denis Leonard, founder member of Limerick Civic Trust, for their outstanding contributions to the arts in Limerick. The Society’s Bronze Medal has been awarded to selected painting students of the Limerick School of Art and Design from time-to-time.
The Society holds fund raising events for a selected local charity each year that has included Animal Welfare, The Hospice, Pieta House, CSPP suicide prevention patrol, Marine Search and Rescue Service, Saint Vincent de Paul in the past 5 years.
President: Barbara Hartigan; Chair: Eamonn McQuade; Committee members:
