“I wasn’t expecting to be surrounded by so much art and artists selling their work,” said Kerry Eldon of the National Galleries of Scotland, who happened to be in Dublin and attended the launch. “I like it. The atmosphere is great.”
The launch event was announced over the PA system. Wine as well as coffee and tea were being served, while a musician played popular Billy Joel songs on a grand piano at the center of the exhibition hall behind a small circular stage. The table holding the guide was placed neatly to the left of the stage, a work of art from the RDS collection was to the right of the stage.
Gerard Whelan, opened the launch by talking about how pleased the RDS was to be associated with ARLIS on this occasion, and cleverly included in his comments that the art loving public should definitely be interested in the 20 institutions in this beautiful book, and perhaps some of the artists would eventually find materials of their own there, if their work was not there already. Rose Roberto followed by thanking the contributors for their generosity in sharing their collections through captivating narratives and amazing images. Olivia Fitzpatrick then closed by talking about how much of a joy it was to go around to different institutions and enjoy local Dublin hospitality (she is based in Cork). “I hope you are all pleased with the final product as I am,” she concluded.
