A large crowd attended the launch of RHA West on Saturday evening, September 9 in. the Municipal Gallery at Ballina Civic Offices. Presented by Ballina 2023 in partnership with Ballina Arts Centre,  the prestigious exhibition was launched by Chief Executive of Mayo County Council, Kevin Kelly. And marks 300 years of Ballina and 200 years of the Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts. The exhibition also marks the first time the entire membership of the RHA has shown together in the West of Ireland, and includes 44 works by artists including Mick O’Dea PPRHA, Aideen Barry ARHA, Donald Teskey RHA and Alice Maher RHA.

Speaking on the night, Director of the RHA, Patrick T. Murphy spoke about the growing influence of North Mayo on visual artists in Ireland, with five members of the RHA currently based in Co. Mayo. President of the RHA, Mick O’Dea, who resides in Portacloy, spoke of his experiences of living as an artist in North Mayo. Ballina 2023 Project manager Lisa Hallinan paid tribute to Mayo Arts Service who continue to be at the forefront of cultural development in Ireland, consistently delivering nationally leading arts programmes.

Entertainment on the evening was provided by the young musicians of Music Generation Mayo’s Harp Ensemble.

RHA West will run until Friday, October 20 in Ballina Civic Offices.

Opening hours:

Monday to Friday, 10am-1pm & 2-4pm

Saturdays, September 16 & 30

Special Opening for Culture Night, Sept 22, 4-7pm

More information is available at www.ballina2023 and www.ballinaartscentre.com.

Painting featured is ‘Mountain Slopes’ from Charles Harper will be part of the exhibition.