Art group has enriched life in south Tipperary for more than a half century

Above: Maureen Purcell, the Organiser of the South Tipperary Art Group (STAG, left) with former Mayor of Clonmel Pat English and Lesley Lynch, STAG Chairperson at the opening of the group’s 55th annual exhibition at Clonmel Library last June

The South Tipperary Art Group, STAG, was formed over 55 years ago, in September 1968.

A small number of enthusiastic amateur artists, who were attending art courses in the local Central Technical Institute in Clonmel at the time, got together with three of the art teachers from that college to form the art group for the artists and craftspeople of Clonmel and the south Tipperary region.

Unfortunately, the group has lost some very active members over the last few years, including founder member Michael Burke, Kitty Collins, Paddy O’Shea and Kathryn O’Brien from its work team.

Last summer they lost a great friend to STAG and one of its founder members, the internationally-renowned artist John Keating, who lived in Dublin.

There are just two of the founder members still active in the organisation, Nellie O’Brien and the group’s Organiser Maureen Purcell.

STAG caters for adult artists and junior members from Clonmel and south Tipperary and of late its membership has extended to Waterford city, Dungarvan and Lismore, with several new members in the adult section.

The group primarily operates from the art room of the Infant School at Ss Peter and Paul’s Primary School in Kickham Street, Clonmel for the adults and juniors but also from the upstairs studio in the South Tipperary Arts Centre in Nelson Street for adult members.

The female and male adult artists meet for sessions on a Tuesday night from 7.30 to 10 pm from September to June, when they finish with their annual exhibition in Clonmel Library.

A tutor is not employed for Adult STAG members, as most artists and craftspeople are quite experienced and new members will have some courses in art completed before joining the group.

There is also a small but extensive art library for the use of members at the Tuesday night sessions. They also have an extra adult session on Wednesday morning in the South Tipperary Arts Centre.

The group run specialised art/craft courses for both the adult and junior sections every so often, and occasional trips to exhibitions and culture events around the country and sometimes further afield.

Adult members have a Plein Air trip at least once a year. The work team of eight to ten members hang exhibitions, paint murals and do much voluntary artwork that is required by the community at large.

For adults, the only criteria for membership is to have some practical knowledge of art/craft or to have followed at least one basic art course, and that they are aged from 18 years upwards. The number of adult members fluctuates, as people relocate to or from the town, but generally there are about 45 members at any one time in Adult STAG.

The group welcomed Ukrainian, Pakistani, US and Korean members over the last year.

New members are always welcome.