Art in Action is a three-day arts and crafts festival held every June Bank Holiday Weekend. Top artists and craftspeople from many different disciplines are invited to set up studios, stalls and workshops to demonstrate their work and skills live. Over a hundred craft, fine, liberal and performing artists demonstrate and sell their art to the public. An extensive range of children and adult art classes are also available, all set in the lovely house and grounds of Townley Hall near Drogheda in County Louth, Ireland. Art in Action is affiliated to the John Scottus School.
Art in Action is organised and staffed by the School of Philosophy, an educational charity in Dublin (CHY 5791). Everyone who contributes to the organisation and staffing of the event does so entirely on a voluntary basis and without payment of any kind. This is at the core of the ethos of Art in Action and contributes to its unique atmosphere – about which both visitors and artists frequently comment.
A music session in full swing at Martin Doyle’s stand during Art in Action 2010.
Martin Doyle has been a regular exhibitor at Art in Action for a number of years now. This year Martin took his assistant flute-maker Gwenn Frin along to the three day event and on the Sunday evening was joined by his good friends Mircea and Elizabeth Petcu — Mircea being a violinist and Elizabeth a flautist.
Mircea Petcu and Tessa share a tune at Art in Action
Art in Action holds a banquet dinner with performances on the Sunday night and Martin, Gwenn, Mircea, Elizabeth and a young flute playing friend, Tessa, performed during the banquet. Reflecting on the weekend Martin commented:
“Art in Action is a nice opportunity for people of all ages to get involved in a wide variety of creative activities. A lot of people came and played my flutes for instance. It gives people access to situations and activities that they might not normally have access to. It was great!”
More images from Art in Action here: Flute maker Martin Doyle’s photostream.
Gwenn Frin with the ‘win grin’ at Art in Action!
Gwenn Frin Wins!
We shall off-topic a little here, but Gwenn Frin had another reason to smile widely recently when she competed in the inaugural Tri the Burren Triathlon and, to her great joy, was the first woman home and 23rd overall! The triathlon was held at Ballyvaughan in County Clare and Gwenn had the following to say about her adventure…
I competed in a triathlon last Saturday and to my surprise I won the ladies!!! I hadn’t trained for it and I was just doing it for fun with some friends. I Loved it and laughed the whole way down the hill on the bike, zooming down at 50 km/h or so, loving the adrenaline rush! … Then next thing I was first lady! When you enjoy things it always works out better than when you compete!
Congratulations Gwenn – well done!