Enjoy a personal and exclusive introduction to the works of Jack B. Yeats, Louis le Brocquy, Evie Hone, Patrick Scott, Paul Henry and many more, by one of Ireland’s leading Contemporary Art Curators, Anna O’Sullivan. After your personal tour of the Permanent Collections, up to two of your group will have the opportunity to have their portrait sketched by Blaise Smith R.H.A, one of Ireland’s leading figurative painters. Enjoy Champagne and strawberries as you watch the artist at his easel, creating a work of art before your eyes. The portrait will be yours to take home as a memento of your special Irish Art Experience in Kilkenny.

NB: Your portrait can also be framed and shipped after the experience. For art lovers this is an experience that simply cannot be matched.

More about Anna O'Sullivan
Prior to joining the Butler Gallery in 2005, Anna spent over twenty years in New York where she enjoyed the position of Director of Robert Miller Gallery. Anna has worked with many internationally-renowned artists and artist estates during her career including Alice Neel, Eva Hesse, Lee Krasner, Patti Smith, Mary Reid Kelley & Patrick Kelley, Fischli & Weiss, Michael Snow, Bob and Roberta Smith, Hans Op de Beeck, Ian Burns, Louise Bourgeois, Werner Herzog, Tony O’Malley and many more. In 2021 Anna was the recipient of the Royal Hibernian Academy for her contribution to visual the arts in Ireland. Anna was the Commissioner and Curator of the Irish Pavilion at the 55th Venice Biennale with Richard Mosse as the artist representing Ireland In 2013.

More about Blaise Smith
Blaise is a member of the Royal Hibernian Academy and has been commissioned to paint many notable portraits of leading figures from Irish politics, arts and academia. He has exhibited widely in Ireland and abroad and has won many awards including the BP Award at the National Portrait Gallery, London and the Irish Arts Review Portrait Prize. Blaise currently teaches advanced oil painting techniques, drawing and composition at the Royal Irish Academy Drawing School where he is Vice Principal. He lives in County Kilkenny.

Tour Details

• Duration: 3 hours
• Up to two members of the group will have their portrait sketched, as the remaining party watch the portrait develop while chatting to Blaise Smith.
• This highly entertaining and engaging experience takes place during normal opening hours.
• Your portrait can also be framed and shipped after the experience.
  

For price and booking information, please contact [email protected] t. 00 353 (0)56 776 1106