The Royal Ulster Academy’s (RUA) prestigious and unique RUA on the Road exhibition made its first stop in Enniskillen at the beginning of the month. The launch was held in Waterways Ireland Headquarters where the exhibition will be held all month. The exhibition features approximately 50 highly acclaimed RUA artists’ works.

It was a cold bright day in Fermanagh, but an exceptionally warm welcome was given to all RUA members, artists, volunteers and general public by the Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council Howard Thornton and Director of Business Development Waterways Ireland John Boyle.

Following the launch of the event Noelle McAlinden, Chair of the Fermanagh Live Arts Festival and Chair of Education Committee Royal Ulster Academy, said "We had a lovely launch at Waterways Ireland Head Quarters. We even got all on board and on The Erne waterways to launch the exhibition too with life jackets."

The event was highly successful and seen a great turnout of artists as well as the public. Noelle continued “It was excellent to see fellow artists join including Betty Brown, Mavis Thomson, Barbara Allen Chris Wilson, Anthony Scott, Paul Walls and Willie Herron.” The exhibition will be hosted in Enniskillen until Saturday March 2. Noelle said she is looking forward to welcoming the public and her “merry band of volunteers” from F Live Arts Festival, Island Art Group and Erne Art Group again while the event is still running.

Speaking about the exhibition, the Chairman of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Howard Thornton spoke about of honour of hosting the first stop for the exhibition “I am delighted that this prestigious exhibition, which includes works by local artists, is being hosted in the headquarters of Waterways Ireland, this marvellous setting on the shores of the River Erne. I commend the Royal Ulster Academy for their foresight in taking this wonderful exhibition on the road and for making it more accessible to the public.”

The exhibition sees the work of local Fermanagh artists including Denise Ferran. Denise grew up in Enniskillen and received her art education in Belfast and Dublin. She has gone on to achieve incredible achievements in art including many prestigious awards. Her work is exhibited across Ireland and even as far as the USA. Denise will be speaking on 27th February in the Waterworks Gallery Enniskillen. Here she will talk about famous Fermanagh artist Kathleen Bridle and her two pupils William Scott and TP Flanagan. Denise said “I knew all three artists very well and TP Flanagan taught me painting at St. Marys. I followed his example and painted the lakes of Fermanagh, which I still do as well as the seascapes from my studio on the Inishowen Peninsula.” The artist also takes her inspiration from her residencies in, Cill Rialaig Co. Kerry and Lucca, Italy.

There are several masterclasses and talks by participating RUA artists and academicians coming up this month. There will be a Sources and Inspiration Artists talk with Joanna Mules February 14th 11am to 12pm and 2.30pm to 3.30pm. There will also be a Masterclass taking place with Julian Friers PPRUA named Drawing from Life February 16th 2pm to 4pm. A Masterclass with Paul Walls will also take place 20th February 2pm to 4pm.

The finale of the month’s events will be on Wednesday 27th of February. The closing events will see a Masterclass with Betty Brown on watercolours and Denise Ferran’s talk on artists Kathleen Bridle, William Scott and TP Flanagan.