A COLLABORATIVE arts and community project celebrating the rare beauty of red hair, which has been unfolding in the Donegal Gaeltacht over recent months, culminates in a special exhibition launching this Friday.

The quirky initiative was the brainchild of Gortahork-based visual artist Maria Gasol who works from Gaoth Dobhair.

A native of Spain, Maria’s interest in red hair began with its rarity in her home country.

The project, RUA, which is supported by Ealáin na Gaeltachta and the local Irish Language Planning Office, Meitheal Pleanála Teanga an Iarthuaiscirt, is an exciting, multifaceted exploration of red hair.

As part of the initiative, several talented Gaeltacht-based artists were invited to create new works inspired by the theme of RUA in their own mediums and styles, including a mixture of painting, drawing, sculpture and photography.

The artists involved include Kim Sharkey, Sean Fitzgerald, Maria Coleman, Leonie Ferry, Andrea Redmond and Maria herself.

“They had full creative freedom – the only thing was that it had to be inspired by the theme RUA,” Maria told the Donegal News.

The pieces range from an installation inspired by the fertility goddess Síle na Gig, to a stunning portrait honouring the late Jane Crane, a white witch from Dunlewey.

This powerful illustration features Crane’s striking red tresses, as well as symbols of her craft, with artist Sean Fitzgerald from Falcarragh drawing on Irish folklore and mythology.

Another work is a photograph capturing the deep rusty hues where the land meets the sea.

“Each artist truly interpreted the theme in their own way,” Maria explained.

Mya5 by Maria Gasol.

A standout feature of the exhibition is an instalment of local red-haired people of all shades and ages who participated in photo booth-style community photoshoots earlier this year.

Their headshots were compiled and woven together to create a special redhead mosaic.

A young girl from Loch an Iúir, who was among those who attended the photoshoots, won a very special portrait painted by Maria Gasol.

The work from professional artists will be hung alongside the artwork created by local children who attended RUA-themed workshops which was facilitated by artist Fran O’Boyle and educator Feena McBride.

The workshop followed a story telling event held by Gaoth Dobhair actor Ciarán Ó Gallchóir who explored fascinating and fun facts about red hair, including history, geography, science, myth, folklore and famous redheads.

“I wanted to bring together the artwork of professional artists and the children, with no hierarchy between them.”

The event will be opened by the talented Máirín De Buitléir from TG4’s Ros na Rún, who has the beautiful red-hair gene herself.

Music on the night will be provided by Falcarragh musicians Ger Roche and Tara Gi and young local singer from Scoil na Cránnoige, Annie Ní Churraín,
who will perform An Cailín Rua.

The exhibition will be officially opened tomorrow, Friday, October 3 at 6pm at Ionad Naomh Pádraig Dobhair (F92 EH6N) and will run until Tuesday, November 4.