LIMERICK was awash with colour and vitality as people of all ages re-discovered their city last Friday as part of ‘Culture Night 2009’. From 5pm last Friday evening a genuine air of excitement filtered through the city as arts and cultural venues opened their doors to the public for free as part of the national event and thousands of excited onlookers hit the streets. Families, in particular, were a highlight of the evening as parents shepherded their children through exhibits in King John’s Castle, Limerick City Museum, dance lessons in Daghdha and film in the Belltable. Limerick Printmakers and the Hunt Museum proved especially popular with the younger culture seekers. In Limerick Printmakers, based on Robert Street, children were invited to come along and print their own t-shirts, which they did ecstatically. Alan Crowley was one of those helping the children print their shirts in the studio and by about 6.30pm, reckoned he had done “more than 20 t-shirts in the past hour”. “I’ve done so many in the last hour I’ve lost count,” laughed Alan. “I think the kids are really into the DIY-aspect of this activity and it is bringing life into a place that is usually only inhabited by artists and students.” Eight year old Asha Golden from Corbally, told the Limerick Leader that she “loves art”. “We had a great time, I'm really looking forward to collecting my t-shirt,” said Asha. “I'm going to hang the poster I made up on my wall,” she added. Limerick author and playwright Mary Coll was in Limerick Printmakers with her daughters, Ellen and Katherine. “It is great that so many people came out so early in the evening and brought their kids along with them,” said Mary. “The good thing is it is not just all the usual faces that you see at arts events, I think it is important that it seems to be the general public that came out.” In the Hunt Museum, amidst the impressive Sean Keating exhibition and the permanent collection, a large group of kids chattered excitedly as they painted in the lobby of the building. Naomi O’Nolan, administrator with the Hunt Museum, said that the initiative was a “terrific” one. “It is terrific to see so many people here, the kids are having great fun, they are doing their cave art, we have a costume workshop and art quiz, so there are loads of fun things for them,” said Naomi. A huge amount of events took place around the city and all were very well attended, according to Limerick City Arts Officer Sheila Deegan. “It went very well indeed and a lot more people came out this year than last,” said Sheila this Monday morning. “The night definitely captured the imagination and the venues that opened their doors really appreciate the turnout - we are delighted,” she added.
ALSO taking place on Friday evening was the final night of the rather excellent Tweak exhibition in Church Gallery, Clare Street.
A hugely impressive series of electronic art installations, the exhibition saw a great many visitors, housed as it was in the impressive Church Gallery in LSAD.
Tweak also played host to the Digital Slaves and one half of UK dj-duo The Herbaliser on Friday nght; both of whom combined to dramatic effect in the courtyard of Trinity Rooms - the Digital Slaves performing their innovative brand of live performance art through a visual show on the walls of the courtyard, and DJ Ollie Teeba whipping the crowd into a frenzy with his entertaining blend of hip-hop and house tunes.
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