F.E McWilliam Gallery is a ‘hidden gem’

One of the Borough’s leading tourist attractions, the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio has once again been thrust into the limelight after being named as one of Ireland’s ‘hidden gems’ by the Irish Times.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Sep 2015, 08:43 BST
Lord Mayor Cllr Darryn Causby and Council Chief Executive Roger Wilson pictured at the F E McWilliam Studio celebrating the site enhancement and the listing in the Irish Times Lonely Planet "Hidden Gems" list, included from left are Information Officer Sarah McKnight, Cllr Sharon Houghey Grimley, Curator Rhian Coulter, Chef Fernando Correa, Tourist Information Officer Brigitte Boland and Joe Quail ©Edward Byrne Photography INBL1537-204EBLord Mayor Cllr Darryn Causby and Council Chief Executive Roger Wilson pictured at the F E McWilliam Studio celebrating the site enhancement and the listing in the Irish Times Lonely Planet "Hidden Gems" list, included from left are Information Officer Sarah McKnight, Cllr Sharon Houghey Grimley, Curator Rhian Coulter, Chef Fernando Correa, Tourist Information Officer Brigitte Boland and Joe Quail ©Edward Byrne Photography INBL1537-204EB
Lord Mayor Cllr Darryn Causby and Council Chief Executive Roger Wilson pictured at the F E McWilliam Studio celebrating the site enhancement and the listing in the Irish Times Lonely Planet "Hidden Gems" list, included from left are Information Officer Sarah McKnight, Cllr Sharon Houghey Grimley, Curator Rhian Coulter, Chef Fernando Correa, Tourist Information Officer Brigitte Boland and Joe Quail ©Edward Byrne Photography INBL1537-204EB

Speaking of this recent accolade, Lord Mayor of Armagh Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Darryn Causby said: “The FE McWilliam Gallery and Studio is a real asset to the Borough. Not only does it showcase the work of one of our greatest local artists and offer the opportunity to bring the work of leading artists worldwide to the greater public, it acts as an essential educational facility for our younger generation.”

The council run facility, which celebrates its 7th birthday this month, was also the focus of a special edition of BBC Radio Ulster’s Arts Extra broadcast in July.

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Recorded at the gallery by arts broadcaster Marie-Louise Muir, the programme celebrated the work of artist FE, McWilliam, the unique sculpture garden and the stunning current exhibition of work by celebrated sculptor Gerda Frömel.

Gerda Frömel: A Retrospective comes to the gallery after a successful run at the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) where it received both critical and popular acclaim.

The exhibition is the latest in a series of cross-border collaborations between the F.E. McWilliam Gallery and institutions in the Republic including IMMA, the Royal Hibernian Academy, The National College of Art and Design, Dublin, and the Highlanes Gallery Drogheda.

The gallery’s sculpture garden currently features a striking new work entitled Biofilm under Construction by Loughbrickland artist Mark Revels. The brightly coloured ceramic sculpture which dramatically emerges from the pavement explores the micro worlds of viruses and bacteria and provides a remarkable contrast to the existing McWilliams figurative bronzes it sits alongside.

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Gerda Frömel: A Retrospective continues at the F.E. McWilliam Gallery until 10 October 2015. Admission is free.

For further information on the FE McWilliam Gallery and Studio visit the website at www.femcwilliam.com.