Killorglin’s art festival celebrated its first prize winner

By Alastair Tibbs, The Kerryman

The first winner of Killorglin’s new contemporary art festival was announced recently as thousands were drawn to the town for the community-led celebration.

Myfanwy Frost-Jones, a graduate of the Crawford College of Art & Design, was decorated with K-Visual’s €1,000 prize for her contribution to the exhibitions.

The town fielded a notable buzz as the first instalment of K-Visual commenced two years after its well-loved predecessor, K-Fest.

Buildings across town hosted a vast array of contemporary visual art, from local creators to international virtuosos.

At an emotional ceremony at 10 Bridge Street on the Saturday night, Myfanwy Frost-Jones became the first winner of the art festival’s ‘Storm In A Teacup Prize’ prize which was sponsored by deVeres Art Auction House of Dublin.

Part of the prize willing installation by prize-winning artist Myfanwy Frost-Jones

Myfanwy work has been displayed internationally from Berlin to as far as Indonesia and Uganda.

She is a graduate of the Crawford College of Art & Design and completed an Art and Research Collaboration Masters course through the Institute of Art, Design and Technology last year.

The runners up were Ciara O’Connor, a Kerry-based artist specializing in free-motion embroidery, and Shelagh Honan, an Irish visual artist working across experimental film, projection, sculpture, and installation.

Both received bottles of the local delicacy, Valentia Island Vermouth.

Following the awards, Killorglin-based Councillor Podge Foley gave a heartfelt speech, thanking the artists for their attendance and for bringing the town to life in such a vibrant way.

The Czech Ambassador to Ireland, Pavel Vošalík, also attended the festival and praised the event for its scale and vision.