Banbridge District Council’s multi award-winning gallery today opened two new major exhibitions comprising works by two of Ireland’s most prominent painters, Nano Reid and Gerard Dillon, and complementing this, abstract carvings by stone sculptor, Jason Ellis.

Chief Executive of Co-operation Ireland, Peter Sheridan, opened both exhibitions in the presence of Council Chairman Elizabeth Ingram, Highlanes Gallery Director Aoife Ruane and artist Jason Ellis. Over 80 distinguished guests joined dignitaries in celebrating the exhibitions’ official opening.

Staged in the indoor exhibition area, the ‘Nano Reid and Gerard Dillon’ exhibition was originally developed by the Council’s cross-border arts partner, Highlanes Gallery, with curatorial assistance provided by Dr Riann Coulter. This touring exhibition comprises a captivating collection of 80 works created by both artists during the periods that they spent together in Drogheda and Connemara.

Council Chairman Elizabeth Ingram welcomed the guests and said: “We are extremely grateful to the Highlanes Gallery for sharing the ‘Nano Reid and Gerard Dillon’ exhibition with us. It’s an interesting coincidence that these two artists who came from both sides of the border, Dillon from Belfast and Reid from Drogheda, worked together and now here we are working with our cross-border partner to ensure a wider audience has the opportunity to view the work of these two great Irish artists. I hope the exhibition achieves the same success here as it did in Drogheda.”

She continued: “Jason Ellis’s sculptures are a striking addition to the gallery’s garden. These pieces are recent creations and therefore have rarely been shown before in public. His work will complement McWilliam’s work already on display in the garden.” 

Highlanes Gallery Director Aoife Ruane added: “The Highlanes Gallery is delighted to tour the ‘Nano Reid and Gerard Dillon’ exhibition to the F.E. McWilliam Gallery and Studio, and continue our special gallery relationship. This exhibition was developed with both venues in mind. The different locations and architectural styles serve the exhibition and the teams working in each venue very well. The exhibition appears very different in its new Banbridge setting even though it comprises the same works. Visitors who have already viewed the exhibition in Drogheda can now rediscover the works in Banbridge.”

Both exhibitions will run concurrently at the gallery until Sunday 2 May 2010. The gallery is open Monday to Saturday from 10am until 5pm and Sunday from 1pm until 5pm. Admission is free.

Contact:
F.E. McWilliam Gallery and Studio
200 Newry Road, Banbridge, Co. Down BT32 3NB
T: 028 4062 3322
E: femcwilliam@banbridge.gov.uk
W: www.femcwilliam.com