Moving exhibition created by visual arts and music artist comes to Clare village

Clare Arts Office, in conjunction with the Edna O’Brien Library in Scarriff, is hosting ‘Passage’, an exhibition by John Stokes.

The exhibition will take place in the library’s gallery during opening hours from January 12 through to February 14, 2026. 

The artist, John Stokes, is a creative of visual arts and music. Through various media, he explores ways to evoke and access dimensions beyond ordinary consciousness. Instead of describing the material world, John’s work contemplates states beyond what is considered normal.

READ MORE: Warrant issued for arrest of woman accused of stealing Christmas tree from Clare store

As a child, he was very creative but that fell away as his education progressed. By the time he left school, it had vanished under the stress of exam competition. A personal tragedy — the death of both his father and brother at the same time — opened him up again.

The creative process was the only way that John could navigate through the grief he found himself in. Creativity is now a natural strand of his being and he believes it's inherent in each one of us. John works spontaneously in an inner-directed discipline.

You simply cannot miss this incredible and thought-provoking exhibition.