‘Lively and engaging’ discussion over plans for large-scale Inishowen arts festival

A proposed biannual international art festival for Inishowen has been well received at a public meeting on the concept, those behind the project have said.

Dunree-based Artlink, a charity and professional art company that was formed in 1992 in Inishowen, is exploring the feasibility of bringing an exciting new international art festival to Inishowen every two years.

The plans are for a multi-day, free art festival featuring large-scale installations, illuminated sculptures, video art, and sound and projection works by a diverse cross-section of local, national and international artists. That would take place around the peninsula.

A meeting hosted by Artlink at St Mary’s Hall in Buncrana earlier this month saw a number of presentations and heard the views of the members of the public.

Artlink’s research into the project is in partnership with Cork consulting company Consortia Co, Galway social enterprise company Amacitia and art collective Samhlaigh from Donegal.

Artist John McCarron presented a version of his thesis, the Ethics of Land Art which looks at the beginnings of human interaction with land such as portal dolmens and temporary works as found in Burning Man Festival in Nevada.

Maria Coleman of Samhlaigh collective presented an overview of public and permanent public artworks including works from Anthony Gormley that includes individual contributions from thousands of people to make one piece.

Artlink’s Martha McCulloch and Rebecca Strain gave a brief overview of Artlink’s 30 year journey and talked about the importance of Inishowen, it’s people, culture and heritage and how a Biennale could enable the stories of here to be explored, unfolded and shared.

The consultation included group discussions to address issues such as timing, venues, themes, ethics, legacy and resources and to talk about what a festival would mean.

There will be two more public consultations in January at other locations in Inishowen specifically for businesses and organisations and creative practitioners.

Ms McCulloch, coordinator with Artlink, said the meeting was well attended and involved a discussion that was “lively and engaging”.

“There was a really good cross section of people. We found it really inspiring and everyone was full of ideas,” she said.

The festival would have a geographical spread, she said and Artlink’s Inishowen 100x100 art trail which took place in 2012 at 14 locations around the peninsula was highlighted as a possible starting point for activities.

What time of year the festival would take place and how long it would run for are among the issues that need to be decided upon, she said.

Following further public consultations in the new year, the next stage will be the preparation of funding applications.

“We would imagine it will be something where you wouldn’t start running before you could walk and it would not start before 2024 because it takes a long time to get all the funding set up and all the ideas gelling.”