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Newry Library was the scene tonight for the launch of an Art Exhibition by artist Martin Walsh. It's Martin's third exhibition at the venue and his paintings cover many local scenes around Newry and the Mourne's and some a little further afield.
Martin is a member of Rostrevor Art Group. Working with acrylic paints his paintings, all of which are for sale, include Buttercrane Quay and Arthur Street in Newry, Annalong Corn Mill, the Mourne Wall, Moyad Road and Quarter Road in the Mourne's and scenes from County Donegal and County Antrim.
He can thank the SRC in Newry for starting him off. Martin explains "I used to have a business here, and my wife thought I only ever thought work, work work, I didn't have any hobbies or anything. So she signed me up at the Newry Tech in 2012 for recreational art class, and that's really where it started. From then it's just got more and more and I mainly do commissions and then we sell in our shop, in WIN Business Park, which is myself and my daughter, she's a fused glass artist."
Martin moved from North Manchester to Newry in 1988 and enjoys the slower pace and the quality of life here. He recalls going into Foster and Newel's years previously "I wanted a bathroom set, and there was two shades of green that suited the bathroom, but I didn't want to decide on which green. So the woman said to me, take the two, come back and leave the one back and pay for them when you've chosen. And I thought that'd never happen in Manchester."
As well as the glass and art pieces their shop at WIN also sells crafts, candles, soaps and leather goods - A little bit of everything he explains. There's also art from local artists John Haughain and Seamus Collins. The shop opens at weekends.
The exhibition runs to 19 October during normal Library opening hours.
