ANNUAL REPORT 2017

The Woman is present: Women of World War II

Performance Programme 2017

Wexford Arts Centre (WAC) continued delivery of a vibrant quality arts programme in 2017 supporting emerging and established artists across all genres and outreaching to over 40,000 visitors and our programme of over 200 events for all ages across the county through both WAC and Presentation Centre, Enniscorthy and our Living Arts Programme in Schools and Festival support and further beyond nationally and internationally.

Bryan Murray in Dave at Large, Photo credit Patrick Hogan

Theatre

Touring Theatre highlights included Dave At Large with Bryan Murray by Directions Out Theatre company, Fred and Alice by Callback Theatre and the return of My Real Life with Don Wycherly by Eoin Colfer and directed by Ben

1

Barnes with Theatre Royal Productions as a full production developed from the short play commissioned by WAC for WexFour for our 40th anniversary in 2014.

The Flood was also a unique multi-sensory play by Carpet Theatre Company developed to be accessible for blind and visually impaired audience to enjoy with sighted audience. The production had been supported by Arts and Disability Ireland. The Man in the Womans Shoes by the very talented Mikel Murfi was also another success and we explored literary classics with Down and Out in Paris with Phelim Drew and Dubliners Women adapted by Katie OKelly from James Joyces Dubliners and we learnt about the hidden history of The Woman is Present: Women of World War II by Smashing Times Theatre Company.

Local theatre included stellar productions by Wexford Drama Group of Portia Coughlan by Marina Carr, The Man from Clare by John B. Keane and Little Gem by Elaine Murphy. Raven Theatre brought us some southern stories with Three by Tenn: An Evening with Tennessee Williams and White Feather Theatre Company delivered a high quality professional home-grown production of The Secret Fall of Constance Wilde.

We were delighted to support A Face in the Crowd national touring production as part of our social inclusion remit having first developed at Wexford Arts Centre in association with Discover/Recover Theatre and Wexford Mental Health Service.

As part of our remit to support the professional development of artists, we commissioned Michelle Dooley Mahon to adapt her book Scourged into a play titled The Scourge with support from Artlinks grant funding. Michelle embarked on a year-long process of developing the script with mentoring from director Ben Barnes. The Scourge would later become a successful critically acclaimed production in

2

2018. Wordplay continued to deliver development studio days for writers and actors at WAC.

County Wexford Youth Theatre (CWYT) produced compelling productions on site and off site with support of our box services which included of Benji and The Hamlet Machine. Monkey was another highly successful production by Bare Cheek with CWYT, FDYS & Youth New Ross.

Red Moon, The Christmas Nugget, Christmas play for Schools.

Red Moon delivered after school programme in theatre for children and youths dedicated to personal development in improvisation and imagination along with fun Halloween interactive productions of Which way did the Witch go/ and The Christmas Nugget.

Eoin Lynch, The Locksmiths Song Little Piggy by Octupus Theatre company

The Locksmiths Song by Eoin Lynch provided a visual feast for children with follow up puppetry workshop and pre schoolers got to have fun with Barking Dog Theatres Teddy Bears Picnic and Wind in the Willows. Octupus Theatre Company presented a fun play with puppetry for children during Wexford Fringe Festival titled The Little Piggy.

3

Billy Roche Red Guitar Tour, Dirty Cello, photo credit: Patrick Hogan

Music

Local acts featured in our programme included Clang Sang, The Round Soul of the World Album tour, JMA peforming songs by Bog Dylan and Neill Young, Basciville, Classic 80s night, Culture Night HQ dance night and Secret Singers with Aedin ni Riada. We welcomed back Billy Roche as a musician with his Red Guitar Tour supported by Mike Odlum and Pete McCamley, Declan Sinnott made a welcome return also. International acts included, Deni Bonet and Dirty Cello from the US. Freddie White had sell out success as did

Comhaltas cabaret, Photo Credit: Patick Hogan

Kevin lawlor Quartet with John Coltrane tribute evening followed by another intruiging jazz evenings with Mari Krutti and Ronan Guilfoyle. Kila Beag supported by local Comhaltas local musicians in Comhaltas cabaret were another highlight. We welcomed Musici Ireland featuring Joceyln Lightfoot on French Horn during Wexford Festival Opera Fringe festival. Larry Kirwan made his annual

4

visit from New York acoompanied by over 90 US and Canadian visitors. Vladimir and Anton waltzed us into Christmas.

Cca Milis Cabaret

Cca Milis Cabaret hosted by Helena Mulkerns and Josh Johnston provided a platform for promoting national as well as local based artists across all performance genres. For Culture Night 2017, Helena was accompanied on piano by Marion McEvoy and guests included author Barry McKinley, reading from his debut novel A Ton Of Malice; contemporary composer Una Keane played new original work; the Castlebridge Singers were live onstage; there was poetry and music from Wexfords Tom Mooney, editor of Dust Motes Dancing in the Sunbeams; Cabaret faves Fran Greene and his band Frantics played amazing music, and there were new short films from Laura Way and Dublin actor Joe ONeill.

For Christmas, Life On Strings performed The Little Match Girl; Ellina Shmarkovskaya and Andrew Kenny danced tango; Dark Honey performed from their new album,of the same name; our Cin Sweetcake presentation, was Imelda OReillys award-winning film, Eggs and Soldiers and top of the night came Secret Life - to performing a loving tribute to Bowie.

We held a successful free admisision Cruinni na Csca Cabaret and opened our galleries featuring the Living Art Exhibition on Bank Holiday Easter Monday as part of Cruinni na Csca celebrating culture and creativity nationwide with Creative Ireland and Wexford County Council.

Seed to Stage Spoken Word Performance Programme

5

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=UUZMDqcLTOQcAWLy_NGPokYghttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=UUZMDqcLTOQcAWLy_NGPokYghttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=UUZMDqcLTOQcAWLy_NGPokYghttp://www.barrymckinley.com/http://www.barrymckinley.com/http://unakeane.com/http://unakeane.com/https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMOtRTtJTX-V_KgZmMq5bjw3eEvXzaCHGhttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMOtRTtJTX-V_KgZmMq5bjw3eEvXzaCHGhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Books/Motes-Dancing-Sunbeams-Anthology-Contemporary-Wexford-Poetry/0953414124https://www.breakingtunes.com/frangreenehttp://www.imdb.com/name/nm1931306/https://www.facebook.com/JoeWriter00/

Seed to Stage supported by Wexford County Council Artist in the Community scheme was a new devised programme which enabled 8 participants from young adult to young at heart to be mentored by leading spoken word performance artist and writer Peter Murphy along with guest mentors, Temper Mental Miss Elayneous and Colm Keegan over the summer with end of mentor sessions performance. Participants included local as well as participants travelling from as far as Dublin to partake in this unique programme supporting professional development of spoken word artists.

Film

Picture House Film Society celebrated its 40th anniversary in residency at WAC and presented a successful season of ecclectic international films . John Banville was announced as the 2017/18 Fellowship recipient.

Mini Maestros Big Christmas Sing rehearsal

Outreach/Festivals

In 2017, We extended our outreach Big Sing community project into Spring as well as Christmas providing a creative outlet for all for free to get through the dark evenings with Elizabeth Drwal.Aileen Donohoe and Pete McCamley continued to deliver music appreciation workshops with parents and toddlers in Mini Maestros.

6

Guido Fanzini and The Ocelots at Wells House, Little Festival in the Big House

We also continued our partnership with progamming for Wells House Little Festival in the Big House which also included local acts Rachel Grace, Remedy Club and The Ocelots amongst Fanzini Productions outdoor performance acts programmed by WAC in partnership with Wells House. We also provided marketing and PR support to Writers by the Sea Festival in Kilmore Quay and participated in judging One Act Plays for Wexford Writers Festival in Enniscorthy. We have also featured prominently with events during the Wexford Fringe Festival in 2017

7

Visual Arts Programme 2017

We had a very active year in our Wexford Arts Centre Visual Arts programme featuring four group shows and two solo shows in our main space as well as the annual Christmas Craft Fair with Wexford Craft Trail and three solo shows and one group show in DLush Cafe as well as alternating exhibitions from Wexford Camera Club.

The Lions Club Exhibition

Open Group Show

January February 2017

The aim, as always, was to create an exhibition which truly encompasses the diverse nature of art practice, display the array of talent to be found in Wexford and the surrounding areas and provide a platform for artists at various stages of their careers to produce work and see it realised within a formal gallery context. Moreover, the 'open show' is just that, open to all, and strives to encourage a sense of support and community. For all these reasons, it is an incredibly important show within the Wexford Arts Centre programme.

8

I wanted to Write a Poem

Johnathan Mayhew

27th February 25th March 2017 Johnathan Mayhew was the Emerging Visual Artist Award winner of 2015 exhibiting in 2017. The Emerging Visual Artist Award is a joint initiative between the Arts Council, Wexford County Council and Wexford Arts Centre which acknowledges and supports the development of committed visual artists in Ireland, providing funding to produce and exhibit a body of work.The work of Jonathan Mayhew intertwines the poetic with post-conceptual practices. Through his interest in poetry, literature and technology, Mayhew manipulates physical and invisible materials to contemplate pockets of daily life.

The Living Arts Project 2016-17

Mary Claire Kehoe with St. Patricks National School, Gorey, Co.Wexford; David Begley with Cushinstown National School, Foulksmills, Co. Wexford; Tara

9

McGinn with Kennedy Park National School, Wexford Town and Oonagh Latchford, Our Lady of Fatima National School, Wexford Town.

1st April 6th May 2017

The Living Arts Project was established in 2013 as a long term visual arts educational scheme, supporting the existing partnership between Wexford Arts Centre and the Arts Department of Wexford County Council. The aim of this project is to provide children with an understanding and appreciation of contemporary art. The project also seeks to support the primary school curriculum by introducing teachers to new techniques and teaching methods. The Living Arts Project exhibition represents a selection of work produced by the participating schools and artists, offering pupils and their families a chance to see their work presented in a professional gallery.

BA Fine Art Graduate Show, Beyond These Walls

Wexford Campus Collge of Art & Design, IT Carlow

19th May -10th June

Group Show; Philip Bodger, Helen Cleary, Michelle Colfer, Ian Doyle, Elis K, Alyce Geraghty, Aoife Glynn, Emma Hearne, Shannon Keegan, Patsy Kent, Fiona Martin, Anne Martin Walsh, Meghan McLachlan, Catherine Murphy and Andrew Wickham.

Through painting, drawing, photography, printmaking and sculpture, the exhibition examines challenging topics prevalent within contemporary society such as cultural identity, diaspora and the mediation of war through various media. Wider areas of research such as psychology and gender identity are also touched upon, and the physical body is examined through movement and by scrutinizing small details such as skin marks and strands of hair to ascertain how they capture an individuals identity.

10

And Creatures DreamA New Language

A two-venue show at Wexford County Council and Wexford Arts Centre

Group Show; Robert Armstrong, Ciaran Bowen, John Busher, Eamonn Carter, Serena Caulfield, Helen Gaynor, Aileen Murphy, Kate Murphy, Rosie OGorman, Emma Roche, Breda Stacey, George Warren and Michael Warren.

3rd July 25th August 2017

And Creatures Dream...A New Language taken from Susan Stewart's poem, A Language, explores the relationship of perception to conscious being, to knowing, and to human and aesthetic encounters. Much of the work hints at the instability of perception, which relies on memory - itself an unsafe faculty - and the fragility of the edifice of knowledge. The exhibition title references both dreams and language - opposing aspects of the human condition, dreams referring to the unknown, buried, even random parts of the self, and language, a more formal, structured, conscious communication system - the former the source of everything that grows in a body of work, the latter the means by which the expression of it can be found.

Hamer/ Anvil/ Stirrup

A two-venue show at Wexford County Council and Wexford Arts Centre

Group Show; David Beattie, Richard Carr, Edgardo Rudnitzky, John Wynne

4th September 7th October 2017

11

A key group of Irish and International artists whose current practices evoke a vitality and freshness in their engagement with concerns surrounding sound related artwork; from composition, physics and sculpture to noise, acousmatics and listening. Occupying both gallery spaces at Wexford Arts Centre. the exhibition aims to bring to the fore, enquiries into the practice of listening within the development of sound related art work and when exhibited, who, what or where does the sound belong.

Breaking Rainbows

Orla Barry

A live performance/ video installation

Sunday 22 October - Saturday 18 November 2017

Breaking Rainbows was supported by an Arts Council Touring and Dissemination of Work Award.Breaking Rainbows was also shown at Performatik 17: The Brussels Biennial of Performance Art and the Argos Centre for Arts and Media, Brussels in March / April 2017, and Crawford Art Gallery as part of the Cork Midsummer Festival from June/August 2017.Written and directed by Orla Barry; Collaborators Einat Tuchman, Derrick Devine, Marcus Lamb; Performers Einat Tuchman, Dick Walsh; Commissioned and produced by Wexford Arts Centre, Temple Bar Gallery & Studios; Co-production Kaaitheater, ARGOS Centre for Art and Media, Crawford Art Gallery; Funded by Arts Council of Ireland and by Culture Ireland; Supported by Dublin Theatre Festival, Midsummer Festival Cork, Wexford Festival Opera & IMMAs residency program.

Endearing, humorous and challenging, Breaking Rainbows reflects on both our interdependence and disconnection from the natural environment. Made up of a series of vignettes, Barrys new work brought us into a journey through time, conceptualisations and effects: from the realms of sheep farming traditions, ancient Greek shepherds singing competitions, contemporary consumerism and gender roles, to the intimate relationship of caring for a sheep about to give birth. Selected as a best show to see by Aidan Dunne, Irish times. Stories weave through her films and installations, and they can demand time to grasp their essence. But when you do youre well rewarded, with insights into what it means to be human and, in this case, also animal. Gemma Tipton, Irish Times

12

Bare Root

Group Exhibition Featuring Frank Abruzzese, Michael Canning, Els Dietvorst, Michael Fortune, Janet Mullarney, Rosie OGorman, Helen Robbins, Blaise Smith, Brigitta Varadi, Michael Wann and Katie Watchorn.

at Wexford County Buildings 23rd October - 1st December 2017Insert image 6

Bare Root emphasizes time, materiality, and the transference of traditions from one generation to the next within rural communities. This diverse exhibition recognized the sensibilities surrounding land and labour, illuminating the nuances and materiality of Irish rural farming, capturing the traditional and common place in a profoundly uncommon yet relatable way.

Annual Christmas Craft Fair

with Wexford Craft Trail

2nd December - 23rd December 2017Insert image 6

This was the second year The Wexford Craft Trails members hosted their Christmas Craft Fair at Wexford Arts Centre. The Christmas Craft Fair displayed fine work from a skilled

13

group of professional practitioners, at the forefront of their county's craft renewal, all handmade work, in natural materials. Crafts included a luxurious rug by Ceadogan, to warm your freshly decorated guest room, a pot made with confidence and a sure touch by Paul Maloney, Mairead Stafford, or Patricia Howard to a colourful fused glass piece by Annette Whelan. Terry the Weaver created meticulously woven tapestries to warm the walls and delight the eye.

With fashionable hats by milliner Patsy Flood, and richly coloured silk scarves by Mairead Carbery, there was something to tempt in Wexford. Well known New Ross based sculptor Gilly Thomas's bronze horse heads, and crouching hares would delight animal lovers everywhere. Blacksmith Dainius and Jeweller Lina Varnelis brought the inspired metal work of Varna Studio to the Christmas Fair.

In 2017 also featured new Trail members Rebecca Homfray, Fine Art Print Maker, and Bianca Divito, Glass Artist, who were exhibiting with the group for the first time. In the upstairs gallery members showed their choicest individual pieces.

Craft, delivered to this standard, evokes creativity and gives birth to beauty making these ideal craft gifts for Christmas.

DLush Cafe Exhibitions

111 x 111 A solo exhibition of drawings by Andrew Kenny Friday 20th October - Saturday 11th November 2017 The exhibition explored the curious ideas and anomalous experiments of the Society for

Research in Rapport and Telekinesis (SORRAT). This group researched aspects of

paranormal phenomena, ranging from the teleportation of objects, psycho kinesis,

telekinesis, and the idea of rapport. The latter relates to a form of nonphysical energy that

creates lines of influence between the interactions of a group and objects in the

environment. Within these drawings, the delicate pen lines which suggest interlocking hair,

wood grain and floorboards, can be closely related to the tangible world in which we exist. In

contrast, the use of negative space draws attention to gesture, interconnection and, the real

subject of this body of work, the unseen and metaphysical.

14

Through My Senses

In association with the Collective Sensory Group and Bluebird Care Friday 22nd September - Wednesday 11th October 2017 Wexford Arts Centre in association with the Collective Sensory Group and Bluebird Care are delighted to present Through my Senses, an exhibition of childrens artwork from 22nd September to 11th October at Dlush Cafe, Wexford Arts Centre.

The Collective Sensory Group, Bluebird Care and Wexford Art Centre combined their expertise to provide art workshops for young people with additional needs, who may otherwise not have the opportunity to experience the positive and encouraging impact of art. This workshop also sought to promote inclusion and awareness within our community, proving that behind every disability there is a huge amount of talent and ability that comes in many different forms.

Wexford Camera Club Exhibitions

We partner with the Wexford Camera club on rotation of exhibitions of work by local photographers. Wexford Camera Club supports and promotes all branches of photography and provides many opportunities for members to develop their work.

Travels in Ireland A photographic exhibition by John Keogh 20 November 2017 Since his retirement John has had time to enjoy travel in Ireland and abroad and develop his

interest in photography.

15

His main subjects are nature and landscape. This exhibition is a selection of his work, all

taken in Ireland.

On Closer Examination - Inspired by Nature A photographic exhibition by Martin Doyle Opened 16th August.

Martin Doyle - Nature has been my chosen subject for many years. It is a fascinating and inspiring subject in all its varied forms. Time spent observing, whether it is a landscape or studying the smallest flower, is very rewarding as so much detail will be revealed.

This collection is a series of studies, taken on medium or large format film, of small sections of rock formations taken over a period of 3 years on the coast of South Co. Wexford. I am drawn to the colour, patterns and forms that create Natures Abstract Art. Some convey an impression of giant canyons and aerial views of barren landscapes though, in reality, they measure just centimetres in size.

Beautiful World A photographic exhibition by

Kate Aru, Kevin Carrol, Donna Foran and Nicola Reddy

opened from 14 April 2017

Kate Aru - I love photography. Beautiful colours, birds and animals, a thundery sky - all

waiting to be captured. It is a pity to be too busy to notice and record our lovely world.

Wexford Camera motivates me to hone my skills and to keep trying something new.

Kevin Carrol - All types of photography interest me. I like to capture special moments in time.

I have only recently joined Wexford Camera Club and I really enjoy the meetings.

16

Donna Foran - Last year I joined Wexford Camera Club. The support advice and knowledge

Ive gained has been invaluable in my development as a photographer. Winning a silver

medal in a national Camera Club competition soon after I joined was a real boost.

Nicola Reddy - Five years ago during a match, I took my first photos of a game. Once that

camera was in my hand I knew I couldn't put it down. Loving sports all my life, now I get to

capture players and their passion.

A photographic exhibition by Ann Hyland &Ann McCafferty

23 February - 13 April 2017

Ann Hyland - I joined Wexford Camera Club in 2011 as a beginner. Being in the Club has been a good learning curve, fun and eye-opening, warmly supported by more experienced members who are generous with their time and knowledge. My favourite place to practise is Bannow's seashore; exploring it with a camera has opened my eyes to the hidden beauty in rocks, pools, sand and seaweed.

Ann McCafferty - Joining Wexford Camera Club a number of years ago has made me aware of what it takes to get a good photo. I am still learning with the help and support of fellow Camera Club Members. The photos on display were taken in July last at the Bray Air Show which was part of the 1916 celebrations. It was a lovely day and the show was spectacular. I hope you enjoy the photos that resulted.

Through My Lens

17

An exhibition by Mike Kelly

16 January - 23 February 2017

Mike Kelly has had a lifelong interest in photography. Retirement and the advent of digital photography rekindled his passion for of getting out with my camera and club friends to explore the great outdoors. Although, Mike has never specialized in any specific genre of photography, he has a strong leaning towards macro and wildlife.

18

Performance Programme

We enhanced our management supports and programme delivery in Presentation Centre with over 25 performance events and activities and eight exhibitions, suporting up to 150 artists for over 5,000 visitors to enjoy throughout 2017. Presentation Centre is a very active centre with over 20 different groups and facilitators using the facilities for delivering workshops/talks and community meetings on a regular basis which included in 2017 Red moon and WACT after School workshops, Sheila Grace Dance Company, Nicola Brady Yoga, Polish Culture group, Grow, Love Slimming World and Joanne McCabe Cola Voce vocal and music theatre workshops.

Performance Programme

Between your love and Mine, A requiem by Leonard Cohen by Mend and Makedo Theatre and The Buddy Holly Story featuring some of the finest actors and musicians in the Southeast were sell out successes in the programme. Lovers by Blackstairs Theatre company and A Face in the Crowd by Discover/Recover Theatre in association with Wexford Mental Health service were also supported in the centre.

Paddy Casey, Andy Irivine, Mundy, Eleanor McEvoy and Leslie Dowdall and Mike Hanrahan were first time performers in Presentation Centre as part of our quality music programme for 2017 attracting new audience to the centre.

Wexford Literary Festival hosted a very well attended One Act play night as part of their festival which featured new plays by local, national and international writers.

Children Activities

In association with Enniscorthy tourism Halloween Festival offer, we hosted a successful Childrens Fancy dress party and Pumkin Carving workshops and a Halloween Movie Night showing of Hocus Pocus

Visual Arts Programme

19

Zane Sutra Solo Exhibition in Visual art space

In 2017, the Presentation Arts Centres visual arts programme provided a new and exciting range of experiences available to the public through the display of six solo exhibitions, one group exhibition and one temporary exhibition along with artists talks Gallery talks and workshops. Each exhibition lasted up to six weeks and the Presentation Centre hosted an opening reception and provided marketing support via social media, poster design and PR through local tabloids.

The location of the Presentation Arts Centre in the historical town of Enniscorthy provided a unique backdrop of support for local artists and also inquisitiveness for new and informative exhibitions by incoming artists.

Exhibitions throughout 2017 such as Episodic Memories by Caroline Jacobsz in January 2017 touched on memories, home, emigration and travel along with personal experiences of living away from home portrayed through her delicate stitch work. HERE by Nicholas Harpur echoed similar topics in November though his documentary style photography both framing the year with relative subject matter to the area.

Caroline Jacobz Stichwork Nicholas Harper, Young Boy

20

Lar Joyce, The Sea, Ger Marum, Duckwork Orange Mick Fortune, Still Image

Thorough the year the Presentation Centre supported local artists exploring the early stages of their career through opportunities for exhibitions locally such as Lar Joyce in Divergent, whos painting technique is developing through his exposure to spaces and locations, Ger Marums Kustom Kulture, whos work had never before been displayed in a gallery setting before, Anne Manning with Extensile, an educator and artist who has found a renewed passion for creating art & Mick Fortune, Inhabit, working form county Waterford, displaying video work in reaction to the spaces he finds himself in.

All 2017 exhibitors at the Presentation Centre have roots in Ennisorthy and sharing their career development within their locality benefited both artist and community to see

The Annual Open Call Exhibition

The Presentation Centres biggest display of art annually is the Annual Open Call Exhibition. This celebration of creativity hosted up to 100 pieces in 2017 celebrating the work of over 50 artists. The Open Call is designed to encourage both professional artists, artists in the early stages of their careers and hobbyists to display their work together in the Annual Open Call. The purpose of the Open Call is to encourage people to create, show their work locally and network with other artists in the area.

21

Saidai Musicali by Anne Manning

Art & Education at the Presentation Centre

The Presentation Centre has hosted an exhibition in 2017 with art in education in mind led by artist & educator, Anne Manning. Saidai Musicali in November/ December 2017, was awarded the Early Childhood Ireland Innovation Awards for Art in the Early Years in 2017 (Carraig Briste, Enniscorthy & artist Anne Manning) and provided an exciting opportunity for the participating children to display their work to the public and gain experience with the process of doing do. As we visually explored Eileen Grays furniture design and then Mainie Jelletts cubist style of painting through an example of Ceadogn Carpets, we began the process of creating our own individual and functional life-sized chairs.

Like building parts, our process (once a week over 6 weeks) explored choice, form, colour, design, function and respect of ownership. We connected environment by working outside, through reusing materials and finding that our paint colours could be found in the changing season. We discovered the primary colours and using combinations of a chosen two, excitedly explored the secondary colours. We then added white to see what would happen and discovered more colour.

22

Life Drawing by Paddy Darrigan

Workshops In 2017 the Presentation Centre hosted workshops such as Life Drawing with Paddy Darrigan in early 2017 and a weekly art class, Learn to Draw with Desmond McCarthy. During the year, the Presentation Centre introduced other creative workshops such as Coding & Technology and local artist Dave Duffy ran a drawing workshop for teens and adults and had afterschool creative tables available for drop in.

Ann Manning, Artist Talk with Wexford Campus IT Carlow Early Childcare Students

Gallery Talks Lisa Byrne lead Gallery Talks at the Presentation Centre throughout 2017 Children from local primary schools & secondary schools have attended these talks in the past and in 2017 the first of the artist led gallery talk took place with Ger Marum hosing his talk about his exhibition, Kustom Kulture in August 2017 which was open to the public and free of charge.

23

FINANCE SUMMARY

INCOME 2016 761,673 INCOME 2017 523,156

EXPENSE 2016 734,120 EXPENSE 2017 512,494

NET(PRE DEPRECIATION) 2016

27,553 NET(PRE DEPRECIATION) 2017

10,662

In 2016 we provided production services on large scale budget of NEL and had received additional Project funding including touring funds Breaking Rainbows by Orla Barry.

Marketing Statistics

Overall Events Attendance from box office

2016 10,034 2017 10,155

Includes attendance at performance event in Presentation Enniscorthy. Increase of 2% Exhibitions visitors attendance estimated at 40,000 Non box office participants in workshops estimated at 2,000. Average Capacity attendance at events and workshops Wexford Arts Centre 2016 55% 2017 63%. Increase of 8% capacity attendance

Presentation Centre 2016 34% 2017 43% Customer Satisfaction . 2016 60% 2017 85%.

Increase of 9% capacity attendance.

24

Marketing Reviews

We have been receiving majority 5 star reviews. Main areas for suggested improvement relate to access and need for proper bar and improved seating which are all areas we hope to address with capital developments as currently restricted under current infrastructure.

Adam Nolan reviewed Wexford Arts Centre 5 star November 5, 2017

Pleasure to play here and the staff are excellent and very helpful.

Board and Governance Directors at Wexford Arts Centre are elected for a three year term and

may be re-elected for one additional term only (maximum six years).

The directors are not paid for their work, time or mileage.

Attendance at Board Meetings 2017

Director Joined 24/1 23/03 02/05 09/06 AGM

26/06 26/09 30/08 14/11

Fred Karlsson 2011 Y Y N Y

Caroline Murphy

2011 N N N N

Juliana Walters 2011 N N N Y

Ben Barnes 2014 Y N Y Y N N Y N

Lucy Medlycott 2014 Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y

Tom Enright 2015 N Y N Y N Y N Y

Sharon Warburton

2015 Y Y Y N Y Y N Y

Mary Ruth Walsh

2015 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

Rosemary Hayes

2016 Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y

Kate Brennan 2017 Y Y Y Y

Ann Hensman 2017 Y Y Y Y

John Everett 2017 Y Y N Y

Fred Karlsson, Caroline Murphy and Juliana Walters resigned at AGM 09/06,2017.

Kate Brennan, Ann Hensman and John Everett joined the board at AGM 09/06/17.

Apart from main boards we also have sub-committees that meet 2-6 times per year. The committee has one to two directors and non board advisors who make a great contribution to Wexford Arts Centre.

26

Finance Committee: Sharon Warburton, (Chair) John Everett

Performance Committee: Lucy Medlycott (Chair), Aoife Byrne, Ann Cahill, Michael Darcy, Eva Louise Forde, Jackie Hayden, Kevin Lawlor.

Visual Arts Committee: Mary Ruth Walsh (Chair), Mary Gallagher, Helen McLean, Anya von Gosseln, Karla Sanchez OConnell

Nominations Committee: Kate Brennan

Governance Commitee: Ann Hensman

How to Join our Board:

We will advertise for available open positions a few months before our AGM meeting via our website and social media outlining skills required depending on board requirements and which member may be stepping down at next AGM.

THANK YOU TO OUR FRIENDS SPONSORS AND FUNDERS

27