Explosion of creativity at The Quay Gallery
WHEN four creatively-minded women put their heads together the result will be explosive. And a riot of colour and creativity is what will greet you when you enter newly opened The Quay Gallery in Westport. A fusion of art and craft, where gallery meets shop and interactive demonstrations are ongoing, The Quay Gallery is a unique offering.
A collaboration between artists Suzie Sullivan, Victoria Foutz, Beth Moran and Susan Basler, it came about when the four decided they wanted to showcase their own work and that of others in a new setting where art meets craft and boundaries dissolve.
This isn’t like any other gallery setting, where the visitor browses the works and maybe makes a purchase. Here you enter an interactive space where you get to meet the maker and see their work in progress.
All four are award-winning in their own areas. Suzie is a textile designer and glass artist and runs the very successful Derryaun Crafts; Newport-based Victoria’s signature jewellery has gained international recognition; Beth Moran, of Ballytoughey Loom on Clare Island, specialises in hand-weaving, natural dyeing and spinning; while Charlestown resident Susan Basler, a recent art and design and textile graduate, is making waves through her business, Subadesigns, creating art works which she then prints onto fabrics and paper.
Their stunning selection of Irish fine art and crafts is complemented by works selected from artists from all around Ireland, which they also showcase in the gallery. The art works at The Quay Gallery are exclusive - you won’t find them in any other shop in Westport.
Reaction from locals and visitors has been very positive. As Suzie explains: “We have a very spacious building, with everything nicely displayed, and people seem to really appreciate that. The pavement outside the gallery has also just been extended to five metres, which has created a boulevard atmosphere.”
Sharing the staffing, the four have a great knowledge of each other’s craft and that understanding - instead of a run of the mill sales spiel - shows. The concept of having an interactive space is also being well received.
As Suzie notes: “Beth was sitting here spinning and people were quite surprised to see that. It is an added dimension and it’s nice for people to see a little bit of how the end product comes about.”
The range of product at The Quay Gallery is extensive, from soaps to greetings cards, hand-woven scarves, shawls, rugs and throws, to wood-turned bowls and jewellery. And there’s a price range to suit every pocket. To find out more about this happening centre of creativity, drop by or follow The Quay Gallery on Facebook.