Visitors

Upper Church Street

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Visiting Artists

Olive Stack’s Gallery and Shop

Olive Stack is a one person ambassador for Listowel. With her artists residencies she has been bringing people with many and varied artistic talents to town. Her visitors have enhanced our town and contributed greatly to the cultural life of Listowel.

Here is what some of them have to say in their testimonials

Julie Mazzoni GA USA December 2024

My December residency at the Olive Stack Gallery was a true gift, offering the rare opportunity to immerse myself in my art while exploring Listowel and its surroundings. The experience was not only enriching on a personal level, but also surprisingly communal, with a sense of camaraderie with fellow residency artists. Who else has learned to tilt their head in reflex when returning to the studio with a hot cup of tea, or been startled by the sudden honking of a tractor parade in mid-December? And who could forget the peaceful shortcut through St. Michael’s Cemetery? Of special note was the quiet strength of my studio mate, Enzina Marrari, who supported me on Christmas Day during my cold plunge at Ballybunion. I’m also deeply grateful to Mary O’Flaherty, who must have a subscription for boozy chocolate-covered cherries, and to the St. Mary’s choir, who welcomed me into their Christmas Eve performance without a second thought. Most of all, my heartfelt thanks go to Olive Stack, whose brilliant idea for this residency created an experience that was truly a win-win-win.

Enzina Marrari Newfoundland Canada December 2024

I was lucky to serve as an artist in residence during December of 2024. The best word I can use to describe my experience is: draíocht, or in English, magic. Listowel lights up during December – literally! The streets are decorated in such a festive manner it feels like you are inside of a snow globe or Christmas movie – or both! Christmas music is projected from loud speakers in the downtown which serves as this lovely sound track to the residency. I served alongside Julie Mazzoni – a brilliant mosaic artist from Georgia, USA. I didn’t know Julie or her work prior to this residency – and I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to meet Julie and learn about her and her work. I also accompanied Julie while she did the winter sea swim at Ballybunion Beach (!) – a beautiful beach a short drive from the gallery. Seeing Julie plunge into the cold waters literally brought tears to my eyes, I was so happy to see her accomplish this goal! My time in the studio was also brilliant. I felt like I finally had time to focus solely and directly on my art practice – something I am unable to do in my daily life. I came with a vision for producing a body of work, and of course, was inspired by Listowel and Ireland which served as a great compliment to my work and strengthened the pieces I was working on. I left with a new body of work that I am proud of and was made a million times better from my time at Olive Stack Gallery. I also appreciated working in an active space – I felt integrated into the community as opposed to being holed up alone in a studio somewhere. Meeting locals and tourists alike added a bonus to my time at the studio. I must also speak about Olive. I am so grateful for having met Olive! In addition to being an amazing painter and mosaic artist, Olive is so kind, compassionate, welcoming, and generous. I feel so grateful to have gotten to know Olive and feel as though I made a life-long friend. Olive and I celebrated New Years in Anascul participating in a longstanding local tradition of marching down the main street led by pipers and fire holders, and then walked along Inch beach on the morning of New Years Day – it is a memory that I will cherish forever. Other highlights: the kindness of the local people, visiting sacred wells around and near Listowel, stopping at a surprise waterfall with Julie on our way to Dingle to see Wren’s Day, finding the most delicious honey roasted peanut butter at the bakery across the street from the gallery (you must try it, it’s out of this world!), putting my feet in the grass at the Ballinskelligs Castle. You will NOT regret applying to this residency! Draíocht Draíocht Draíocht!

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A Favourite from my Schooldays

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Did you know?

These are the so called “fairy slippers” that foals have over their hooves in order to protect the mom’s uterus and birth canal. Then, right after the birth, these soft “feathers” dry up and fall off, so that the foal’s hooves quickly harden and are ready for standing up.

Nature is simply perfect

( source; David Attenborough on Facebook)

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A Fact

Even when a snake’s eyes are closed, it can still see through its eyelids.

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