Community spirit creates new art space for Ballinagh

This year's Fleadh festivities will extend out to Ballinagh after a huge community effort has seen the creation of an art gallery in the town centre. "There wasn't a lot happening [during the Fleadh] last year," explains Pamela Mussen, artist and driving force behind the ambitious project, "and it was a bit disappointing. I thought well this year there should be something." That something is the conversion of the old Centra premises on Main Street into a spanking new exhibition space with the promise of top quality art set to an ecclectic mix of live music. It should be a feast for the senses. Having initially heard that the Fleadh committee had planned to not host an art exhibition in Cavan, Pamela had thought that they could fill the gap. The committee later came around to the idea of hosting an exhibition, but Pamela remained undeterred and is offering an alternative exhibition. And alternative might be the best word for it as it promises to ruffle a few feathers: "The artwork is stunning - some of it might be a little controversial, a bit of nudity and stuff like that. But it has to be controversial for people to take notice," notes Pamela. Hopefully it won't be so controversial that it will require anyone to be executed, but if so, Judge Sean MacBride will be on hand at the opening night to don the black cap and see that justice is done. Appropriately enough the event is called 'A Public Hanging.' Organisers are presently in the middle of the selection process but artists expected to take part include Belfast painter and playwright Neil Spears, Kenneth Webb and Dundalk sculptress Sandra Bell. There will also be a photographer with a Victorian style bellows camera. And then there's the music: "Rather than having piped music we'll have live music because really that's what the Fleadh is all about. There's going to be a variety of styles and genres of music so it should be good," enthused Pamela who confirmed talented trio Radioactive Grandma have been booked for the grand opening. An impressive feature of the project is that it has been realised thanks to the endeavours of the community. Since it is an unofficial Fleadh event it has to rely solely on a wholesome combination of donations and volunteers. "It's totally unfunded," says Pamela. "We are relying on sponsorship and good natured people. Woodies have given us six pots of paint - we have used 60 litres of paint so far, and we're still not finished. We're getting food from local businesses, the local pubs are donating bottles of wine, so everbody's getting behind it as a community event - it will be a good thing for the area, it will draw people out and because there's music on the whole time - there's something different everyday while it's on." Amongst those who have made contributions, Pamela was particularly grateful to Eamonn Gavin, owner of Centra for donating the premises - 'He's been very, very kind'. "It's perfect for gallery space, it's big and open plan, and we're painting it all white, so it's the perfect background to painting and scuplture." If A Public Hanging is a success, Ballinagh could well benefit from a new gallery in the longer term. "We were given the space for the duration, but if it works we - a group of artists - might take it on full time. It would be great. "We have had great feedback from people, they like what we're doing. If there's any profit from it, we will reinvest into doing something full time for artists. It should be great. The launch night takes place on Friday, August 12 at 8pm and by invite only - but anyone who wants an invitation should contact Pamela - check A Public Hanging on Facebook. The exhibition runs until Monday, August 22 and provisional opening times are noon-6pm.