On the Town: There was a flurry of excitement in Dublin 2 this week when two summer shows opened at neighbouring galleries. On Tuesday night, artists and friends gathered in Merrion Square to enjoy the opening of Summer at the Hallward.
The following night, the buzz shifted to Herbert Street where the Peppercanister Gallery's summer exhibition opened.
At the Peppercanister, Makiko Nakamura from Kyoto, Japan, who has lived in Dublin for five years, said of her oil on canvas work, The Reason Why: "Since I came to Ireland, many people have asked me why. This is the reason why."
Also there was Seán Aylward, director general of the Irish Prison Service, on his last day of the job, after five years, before his "retreat into obscurity". He was there with his wife, Agnes Aylward, director of the Ireland Newfoundland Partnership.
Artists Jackie Stanley and Campbell Bruce, chair of the Contemporary Irish Arts Society, also enjoyed both exhibitions. Bruce is currently preparing for a solo show at the Solomon Gallery in September.
The Peppercanister's group show features work by sculptor Maureen Bushe, which was admired by watercolourist Kay Doyle. She especially loved Lost Sheep, a piece in marble and limestone, she told the artist.
Artist Mark de Freyne's work is also touring with the OPW's show Currents, and will be travelling over the next six months to the new Birr Arts Centre, the Wexford Opera Festival and the Linen Hall, Belfast.
In the Hallward, participating artists enjoying the party included David King, Bernadette Madden, Chris Banahan and his wife Denise Ryan, David Dunne, Anne Cooney and Brian Palm.
The show at the Peppercanister Gallery continues until Friday, August 6th
Summer at the Hallward continues until Friday, August 27th