May 31, 2023 – The Decatur Area Arts Council’s newest exhibit will showcase some of the treasures of Ireland with “Ireland: Celtic Nation”
Each year Decatur Area Arts Council presents a summer-long exhibit and related events which feature a specific culture or country. These educational opportunities are provided free of charge, with the goal of fostering an awareness and appreciation of other people and cultures.
This cultural exhibit features a collection of electrotype facsimile reproductions of some of Irish National Treasures. These official reproductions, and many others, are owned by the Spurlock Museum at the University of Illinois. Also in the gallery will be fine art and professional photography, plus examples Irish textiles, contemporary art Irish manufactured goods. Additionally on display, will be original Celtic-style stained glass windows from the 1st Presbyterian Church of Decatur.
To open the exhibit, The Decatur Areas Arts Council will hold a First Friday Opening Cultural Event on Friday, June 2nd, from 5pm to 7:30 pm. The event will feature local band Celtic Whistle and the Shamrock Irish Dancers of Champaign. There will also be complimentary tastes of Irish cuisine provided by Richland Community College’s Culinary Institute. There will also be hands-on crafts for children and adults alike available in the 2nd floor studio.
For the First Friday in July, the Arts Council will welcome the music of Broken Brogue inside the gallery while you browse through the exhibit. That First Friday event will take place from 5pm to 7pm on July 7th.
To see a preview of the exhibit, check out the gallery below!
