Highlanes gallery hosts fundraising gala with mike murphy

Following the success of Highlanes Gallery’s first fundraising lecture in 2012, in which entrepreneur Gavin Duffy discussed the life and work of Sir John Lavery, and the 2013 Fundraising Dinner, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, with special guest, artist Robert Ballagh, Highlanes Gallery is to host another gala evening lecture, this time with veteran broadcaster and arts lover, Mike Murphy.

Mike will give a fundraising public lecture on his life in broadcasting and his interest in the arts, especially through his work on The Arts Show, which ran on RTE Radio 1 for 11 years.

Through The Arts Show, Mike Murphy’s curiosity about the creative process – how artists work, the things that inspire them, the very lives they lead - engaged a whole new audience for the arts. Mike had a flair for popularising and opening a door into the world of the arts for the listening audience. De-mystifying it, taking ownership of it away from an ‘elite’, - in interviews he was never predictable or clichéd.

Over years, Mike interviewed numerous artists across the artforms, some emerging onto the artistic landscape, some at height of their artistic output, and he developed a deeper personal interest in the arts, and in particular in literature and visual arts, becoming a champion and collector of art, and this remains to this day.

Highlanes Gallery which opened in 2006 is sited in a unique building gifted to the people of Drogheda by the Franciscans; €4 million was raised to transform it into one of the country’s leading municipal art galleries. It houses the Drogheda Municipal Art Collection, which has many important works by Irish and international artists dating from the 18th century to current times, including work by Nano Reid, Mainie Jellett, Gerard Dillon, Mary Swanzy, Gabrielle Ricciardelli, James McNeill Whistler, Diana Copperwhite and Jackie Nickerson.

Highlanes Gallery curator Aoife Ruane said: “We are delighted that Mike has agreed to do this lecture here in the gallery on November 21st as a fundraiser. Mike has led a fascinating life in both TV and radio and his deep interest in the arts, the lives of artists and in particular painting is well known. ”

Tickets are €20 each but it is strictly on a first-come first-served basis. Friends of the Gallery can avail of the special Friends’ rate of €15. Tickets can be booked by telephone or in person by calling Siobhan Murphy at the gallery reception, Telephone 041-9083311 or by email to Siobhan Burke by email at sburke@highlanes.ie. Payments can be made by cheque and cash only.

For those who would like to become a Friend of the gallery for the annual fee of €100, email sburke@highlanes.ie.