(Posted September 9, 2009)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- It's sort of fitting that many of the prints exhibited at the Juniata College Museum of Art by artists from Northern Ireland -- a land of rugged coasts and verdant greenery -- are inspired by nature, and visitors can see the results at a new exhibition "Renewal" starting Sept. 17 and continuing through Oct. 31 on the Juniata campus.

There will be an opening reception for "Renewal: Printmakers from the New Northern Ireland," at 5 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Juniata Museum of Art.

The artists represented in the exhibit seek to create their perception of the land and seascapes of Northern Ireland by focusing on the colors, forms and atmosphere of each setting.

The new exhibit, which was organized by International Arts and Artists in collaboration with Belfast Print Workshop, Seacourt Print Workshop and The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, showcases the work of 18 contemporary artists working in the country's two most active printmaking workshops: Belfast Workshop in Belfast, and Seacourt Workshop in Bangor.

The artists represented in the exhibit seek to create their perception of the land and seascapes of Northern Ireland by focusing on the colors, forms and atmosphere of each setting.

The works selected for the exhibition were all created in the 10 years or so after nearly three decades of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland, called "The Troubles" that pitted nationalist activists (largely Roman Catholic) against unionist activists (primarily Protestants).

The works on display also comment on the country's renaissance coming out of "The Troubles" and offer a glimpse into the country's changing nature, its people and its art. Artists also explore such subjects as work and family, memory and life experience, and images from Northern Ireland's rich past.
Some of artists included in the exhibition are Fiona Joyce, Simon McWilliams, Veronica Wallis, Deidre McCrory, Jill McKeown, Jessica Hollywood, Cecilia Stephens, Sara Brown and Valerie Giannandrea.

The Juniata College Museum of Art is located in historic Carnegie Hall at 17th and Moore streets in Huntingdon. Museum hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. For more information, please call the museum at (814) 641-3505, or visit the Juniata College Web site at http://www.juniata.edu/museum.





Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.