County Wexford Art Collection
The Wexford County Hall Art Collection was inaugurated soon after the establishment of the County Arts Department in 1994. The latter is charged with the management and co-ordination of the Collection, and in 1995 appointed a Selection and Purchasing Panel for the purpose of acquiring suitable art-works and advising on location and conservation matters.
Wexford County Council's purchasing policy stipulates that work by both national and international artists may be collected, but in keeping with general practice elsewhere, every effort is made to include that of local artists, whose work is of a sufficiently high standard. Over the past sixteen years, in excess of 100 works have been purchased for the collection, most of which are currently exhibited within County Hall. Purchased works now include oil paintings, watercolours, etchings, photographs, sculpture and 'artist's books'.
View County Wexford Art Collection
The Friends of the County Wexford Art Collection
The Friends of the County Wexford Art Collection, founded in 2009 by Mairead Furlong, Art Historian and Collector, is a voluntary group passionate about the need to support the County Wexford Art Collection.
Through the Friends, works of artistic significance are secured for The County Wexford Art Collection by means of gift bequest. The Friends can also facilitate the donation of works on behalf of named or anonymous donors or in honour of a named person.
Making a donation through The Friends of the County Wexford Art Collection is a wonderful way of demonstrating your commitment to and appreciation of the importance of an outstanding public collection for County Wexford.
If you are interested in supporting the work of The Friends of the County Wexford Art Collection please contact the Arts Department on 053 9176369 / arts@wexfordcoco.ie
PRESS RELEASE 07/05/2010
Wexford County Council is pleased to announce the donation of a number of significant artworks to its Art Collection. The donations include ‘Gondola’ by Sandra Bell, ‘Coloured Lace’ by Judy Pfaff, ‘Tranquillity’ by Helen FitzPatrick and “The Proclamation” by renowned Irish sculptor Rowan Gillespie.
These exceptionally generous donations have been made possible by the philanthropic support of The Friends of County Wexford Art Collection - a voluntary group, founded by well know Art Historian, Mairéad Furlong in 2009, committed to supporting the County Wexford Art Collection. The members of the committee include Seamus Dooley, Mairéad Furlong, Tom Garry, Avice Harrington, Stewart Harrington, Joan Lambert, Dr. Edward McParland and Peter Pearson.
Seamus Dooley, Chairperson of The Friends of County Wexford Art Collection commented ‘We are delighted to be in a position to contribute to the development of Wexford County Council’s Art Collection. I would like to wholeheartedly thank the donors for their generosity and to acknowledge the artists.”
“We are absolutely privileged to have such terrific support for our prestigious Art Collection” commented Cllr. Jim Moore, Chairman, Wexford County Council. “The collection forms part of Wexford’s identity as a county of cultural excellence. Such philanthropic support is very much appreciated by Wexford County Council.”
Founding committee member, Mairéad Furlong praised Wexford County Council for its visionary work in the arts, commenting “Wexford County Council has one of the best quality art collections in the Country. The citizens of Wexford have something to be proud of and through the Friends we look forward to augmenting the collection for the future.”
Wexford County Council began collecting artwork in 1994 and in just sixteen years, it now boasts over 120 works, featuring local, national and international artists of repute. Featured local artists include Helen Gaynor, Kathleen Delaney, Grainne Doran and David Begley. The collection compliments the Council’s policy of recognising the importance of the individual creative artist in our society, and also provides increased awareness of and access to the visual arts.
Members of the public are invited to view the collection in County Hall Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Access is free of charge. For further information contact the Arts Department of Wexford County Council on 053 9176369 and arts@wexfordcoco.ie
Contact: Sinéad Redmond, Public Art Administrator
T: 053 9176440
E: sinéad.redmond@wexfordcoco.ie
