Five Donegal designer-makers showcased their incredible creative talents in Philadelphia last weekend when they took part in the gala ‘Straight out of Ireland’ event organised by the Irish Immigration Centre.
Jewellery makers Hannah McGuinness and Anne Vekins and knitwear specialists Bernie Murphy, Michelle McCarroll and Edel MacBride were among almost 40 Irish and American artists and makers who showcased work inspired by contemporary Ireland.
Edel MacBride
Bernie Murphy
“As the Greater Philadelphia areas has one of the highest concentrations of Irish Americans in the country, the Irish Immigration Centre of Philadelphia looks for opportunities to bring people together to get a first had experience of Ireland’s contemporary culture,” said President of the Board of the Irish Immigration Centre of Philadelphia, Kathleen Kenneally.
She added: “We feel it is important to help people look beyond Ireland as a land of shamrocks and Guinness and see it as a globally trendsetting hub for business, art, fashion and more.”
Hannah McGuinness
Michelle McCarroll
Head of Enterprise in Donegal, Michael Tunney, said the Local Enterprise Office in Donegal was delighted through the Creative Coast initiative to support the five local designer-makers attend the gala showcase.
“Over the past number of years through the Diaspora and other projects we have been growing stronger links between Donegal and the Irish community in Philadelphia and this event provided another opportunity to build upon those links,” he said.
Straight Out of Ireland aimed to bring the evolution of traditional Irish art to life by exhibiting a range of aesthetics that highlight the modern style and soul of Ireland including ceramics, drawings, glass, jewelry, lace, paintings, photography, fashion and more.
Anne Vekins
Funds from Straight Out of Ireland will benefit the Irish Immigration Centre of Philadelphia, enabling the organisation to continue carrying out its mission to support the Irish immigrant community in Philadelphia and strengthen the heritage on a local, national and international level.
More information about the event can be found online at www.straighoutofireland.com
Local Enterprise Office Donegal is supported through co-funding from the Irish Government and the European Regional Development Fund 2014 – 2020. To contact the Local Enterprise Office in Donegal, log on to www.localenterprise.ie/donegal or phone 0749160735.
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