‘Unique festival' returns to Wexford with quirky line-up of exhibitions, circus acts and family fun days
Speaking on this year's festival schedule, festival director Garrett Keogh said, 'We have a long tradition of hands-on workshops. Working side by side with professional artists, young and old have gained skills in writing, performing, making giant puppets, and in painting, photography and film making.
'As a result of these workshops many local writers and musicians had first-time performance and publication opportunities at the festival,' Keogh said. 'Four participants went on to the Institute for Art and Design, two have worked in the arts sector, and some have developed their own arts practices.'
Named 'a unique festival' by the European Festivals' Association, the Gap Arts Festival was nominated for the European Rural Inspiration Award 2019 for its Community Portrait Photographic Project.
'With these workshops, and by commissioning local artists in collaborative projects' Keogh said, 'the Gap Festival is not just about bringing the arts here, but about enabling the community to have ownership of the creations,' said Garrett.
Subh, Dubh, Agus Cnuasach Na Tíre – Jam, Black, And The Fat Of The Land, will be a great chance for adults to be outdoors, enjoy the weather, learn about local fruits and flowers, and how to make jams, vinegars, relishes and chutneys.
Funded and supported by Wexford County Council in partnership with Creative Ireland, artists Garrett Keogh and Caoimhe Dunn will host a series of indoor and outdoor workshops exploring hands-on the traditions, stories and lore of foraging and preserving local wild fruits, the elderflower, bilberry, and blackberry.
''We'll have a local forager and a chef to help. And it doesn't matter how much or how little Irish you have, it'll be fun, a hands-on way for adults to explore, learn and use the language in a friendly, non-school situation,' said Caoimhe.
This year's Music Mentoring will feature guitar, bass, drums and singing. Festival directors are also open to other musical interests and will do their best to accommodate them. Anyone who 12 years old and above who is interested in music is encouraged to get involved with the Gap Arts Festival. Places for both series of workshops are limited, so anyone interested should contact the Gap at gapartsfest@gmail.com.
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