It all started with an idea conceived by Jim Provost and Sam French in 1965 as they journeyed up to Dublin on the train while playing a game of chess.
Together with Jack Sutton, Dr Ryan Tittle, Angela Devereux and Marian Fagan, the two progressed their idea and proceeded to form the Greystones Art Group in 1965.
The main purpose of the group was to encourage amateur artists and advance artistic knowledge and skills through on-going lectures and demonstrations.
Greystones Art Group’s early meetings were held in The Burnaby Hotel, whilst the Grill Room in the hotel exhibited some fantastic pictures. (The hotel is now The Burnaby Pub.)
Annual Exhibitions took place in the wonderful St Patrick’s Hall on Kimberly Road. In 2005 the group moved to the new St. Patrick’s Worship and Recreation Center on Church Road.
The next move came in 2016, to the beautiful surroundings of Charlesland Golf Club, followed by the current location, the Community Centre in Kilcoole.
In 2014 The Greystones Art Group became a registered charity (RCN 20071288). One of the charity’s objectives is to ‘benefit the community of Greystones and surrounding areas by providing financial assistance to local charitable institutions‘.
Through the sale of catalogues, raffle tickets and art sale contributions, the Group was able to contribute to charities such as Peacehaven, Tiglin, Bray Women’s Refuge and Greystones Cancer Support.
One of the events the Greystones Art Group has been involved in, was ‘Culture Night‘.
The initial project produced a wonderful mural as a result of a public paint-in which was proudly displayed in the Meridian Point Center.
The second project produced lots of mysterious figures and faces. These were dotted high in the trees along Church Road, to create a spectacular view.