Greystones has been crying out for a space like The Boat Yard for years – and so, it’s great to have this artists’ haven finally arrive, blinking into the light.
With all the space, and potential, to become Greystones’ answer to Kilruddery – only cooler and sexier, of course – The Boat Yard opened the doors on its very first adventure on Monday, with lonesome boatman – and curator – James Griffin of JEGPhotoart still, four days later, putting the finishing touches to this renovated two-storey building that will be an art gallery downstairs and an artists’ workshop upstairs. Also, funnily enough, called The Boat Yard.
We took a few shots of the work in progress last week, as well as one to show how the gallery is shaping up (currently exhibiting the work of Hairy Fruit Art and The Word Bird, amongst others), and it’ll be interesting to see how this fantastic space develops over the coming year. The workshops upstair will include picture framing, printing and that genius silversmith, jeweller and sculptor Jason Mac Gabhann.
Add this to the rebirth of the Greystones Theatre over the coming months, and the revitalisation of Theatre Lane (where resident artist Irina Kuksova is preparing something very special for the town), and bejiggers and bejapers, sure we’re fair feckin’ turning into the new Greenwich Village. Or maybe even Montmarte. Without the tarts.
If you have any queries about the gallery – open seven days a week, with, for now flexible hours – you can email james@greystonesgallery.com, or visit their Facebook page here.
Below are the shots, but before that, we had a few words today with young James about the cunning plans and electric dreams they have for Greystones’ first artist colony…
And one week later. Getting there…
