Shorelines Arts Festival takes place in 2011 from September 22nd to September 25th.

Now in its fourth year, Shorelines Arts Festival is the premier midlands arts festival, incorporating a full spectrum of arts events all packed into one exciting weekend.

Shorelines has a strong emphasis on community involvement, ensuring that there are acts and activities for all ages and in venues that provide suitable access for intended audiences. We hold an art and photography exhibition which is fully supported by local and guest artists. In addition we exhibit up to 50 canvases representing all the voluntary groups in the Portumna area. We also give impetus to local writers to launch their writing projects: last year Helen Collins launched her debut collection of poetry, Mark Conroy had his first play staged, and Portumna Pen Pushers launched their "Words While We Wait" collection - with all events being heavily subscribed.

As well as fostering local talent, Shorelines also showcases the best of national talent. During past festivals we've had the pleasure of hosting acts such as Anuna, ConTempo, Noel Monahan, Padraig Breathnach, Matt Keane, Mick Hanley, Michael Coady, Geraldine Mills, Mae Leonard, and many more.

This year, in "pre-Shorlines" events, we've brought acts such as the Galway Gospel Choir, the Irish Writers Center "Peregrine Readings", and ConTempo to Portumna for hugely popular performances.

After the success of the first Shorelines Arts Festival, we decided to make it an annual event and have been, thankfully, going from strength to strength ... and long may it continue!

However, due to the recession, our funding is down considerably this year. We have a shortfall of about €7500, some of which we will raise ourselves through other means (hopefully!), but we are also hoping to raise €3000 through FundIt.ie to cover festival essentials.

Presently, most work is done gratis by our wonderful voluntary committee, but there are some things you just can't avoid paying for, such as quality acts and performers, not to mention performance and exhibition spaces, advertising and marketing. THIS is where YOU come in - we need YOU to pledge money to help us book these acts and spaces to ensure Shorelines Arts Festival continues to remain THE premier arts festival of the midlands.

Shorelines Arts Festival covers the full range of the arts, including (past festivals):

* Music - Declan O'Rourke, Anuna, Mick Hanley, ConTempo, Philip Short
* Drama - Paula Short, Philip Short, Mark Conroy
* Live literary and dramatic performances on boats in the Shannon
* Poetry and Literature - Noel Monahan, Michael Coady, Geraldine Mills, Iggy McGovern, James Harpur, PPP, Marin Dyer
* Art and Photography - yearly exhibition from local and invited artists and photographers
* Film - Eamon Crudden
* Dance - Stephanie Power (of Riverdance) School of Dance
* Sculpture - Shane Gilmore and exhibition by local and invited sculptors
* Comedy - coming for the first time this year
* ... and everything in between ...

Thank you

Shorelines Arts Festival