I should have started this ages ago, but since taking on this project in Janurary, it has grown so much & rightly so.. The late Tommy Smith always wanted to help artists. He did what he could to give artists of all abilities a chance to exhibit & sell their work in the city centre. He didn't turn anyone away, least not forgetting that the artists get to keep 100% of their sales... where else in Dublin would you find that?
I remember when I first moved to Dublin around 14years ago, I found it hard to get a job in the arts & to exhibit my artwork. The only thing for it was to volunteer, so I started teaching art to an active retirement group in Chapelizod & also volunteered at art therapy in Tallaght Hospital. After a while someone recomended Grogans to me. I'll always remember my first meeting with Tommy, he was so friendly & very welcoming, he took my artwork & the rest history.
Before Christmas, Donal Smith (Tommy's son) asked me if I would be intrested in helping them organise & sort out all of the artwork upstairs of Grogans pub. Little did I know of the volume of artwork upstairs that was not reclaimed from previous exhibitions, going back as far as 1989!! Tommy Smith & Paddy Kennedy, co owners of Grogans Castle Lounge had a vision, which has contributed so much to the arts community.
Above is a caricature drawn of Tommy Smith & Paddy Kennedy. Not forgetting, Grogans famous toasties!
