PICTURES: Laois community arts centre launches gallery exhibition space

The opening of a new gallery space in Mountmellick Community Arts Centre is the “last string in the bow” of what is now a fully functioning arts centre.

It is 75 years since the iconic Michael Scott building was built by Mountmellick Parish, as the CYMS cinema hall. It closed in 1992 as a cinema, reopening in 2013 as a refurbished community arts centre, with a smaller Balcony Cinema and still substantial theatre venue.

The rebirth of the centre was driven by a pair of committed local volunteers, Michael Feely and Ger Lynch. They proudly welcomed guests to the preview launch of the gallery space, last Friday, June 12.

“Over those years, many upgrading was done, including new roof, stage, seats, toilets, right up along and now we have an exhibition centre. It’s the finest arts centre outside of Dublin,” said Michael Feely, to cries of “hear, hear” from the guests at the launch.

The first exhibition is a collection of newly printed crisp clear photographs of Mountmellick from the Lawrence Collection in the National Gallery of Ireland, and the Eason Photographic Collection, around the turn of the 20th century. They were printed by Bryan Fergus on Main Street Portlaoise.

“We invite anyone who wants to hold an exhibition to contact us. The rent will be reasonable, everything is reasonable here,” Ger told the Leinster Express / Laois Live at the launch of the exhibition on Friday, June 12.

He thanks the CE Scheme employees, and all who helped create the plush gallery area, in what was a little used reception area.

It has special moveable bright lights and new display cabinets while the main toilets have been given a stylish upgrade. The works are hoped to be funded with a grant from Laois Partnership.

The Balcony Cinema screens movies every Wednesday night, while the main hall hosts the parish bingo, Mountmellick Drama Festival and many theatrical, music and dance shows.

The committee is made up of Mr Lynch and Mr Feely, as well as Michael Gormley, singer Emer Dunne and arts enthusiast Cathy Bishop.

It is open to the public throughout June from 11am to 2pm Monday to Thursday and from 11am to 1pm on Fridays with an additional slot from 7pm to 9pm in the evening. Anyone interested in holding an exhibition is invited to contact the centre.