Cork County Council in association with Avondhu Blackwater, is planning a Pop-up Christmas Arts and Crafts exhibition for Mallow. The initiative comes under Cork County Council’s A Real Cork Christmas initiative which aims to support towns and businesses this festival season by promoting the vibrant range of gifts and products on sale locally, while ensuring Christmas is still celebrated in a safe and meaningful way.

Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Mary Linehan Foley commented:

Artists working in any static visual media will be considered, including painting, print, photography, drawing, textiles, ceramics, wood, glass, jewellery and wall or floor standing sculpture. Proposals from artisan food producers are also welcome. Depending on the level of interest it’s hoped two locations in Mallow will serve as pop-up shops, West End Art Studios and the former Tourist Office at the Town Hall. This is a great opportunity for local artists and craftspeople, giving them a platform to sell their work, while at the same time adding to the festive spirit in Mallow Town.

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey said:

Cork County Council’s A Real Cork Christmas campaign encourages everyone to stand together as a community and support the business on your doorstep this Christmas. Recognising that the Arts and Crafts sector has been profoundly impacted by Covid-19, the Council hopes this exhibition will promote awareness and support of the creative sector in Mallow and beyond, as well as provide a much needed boost for locally based artists. We are hoping to particularly support makers and artists based in the Mallow /Kanturk and Fermoy/ Mitchelstown Municipal areas.

The pop-up exhibition is expected to open Thursday to Saturday for weekends in December, with the possible addition of Sunday 20th and the week leading up to Christmas. It will be free to exhibit, and artists/stockists may be asked to help man the space on a rota basis during opening hours.

Please note public health guidelines will be strictly adhered to and this will determine how the events proceed in terms of artist numbers, exhibition formats and other considerations.

The deadline for applications is Saturday 21st November 2020. For further information email [email protected] or to submit a proposal go to www.yourcouncil.ie

Cork County Council is also establishing a virtual marketplace, where businesses are invited to post their details and how potential customers can contact them. Businesses can apply to join the virtual marketplace by visiting www.yourcouncil.ie


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