Pictured at the Civic Welcome for Chandler AZ Artists and Mayor Kevin Hartke as part of the official activities to launch the ‘Ceangal Connections’ exhibition were Cathaoirleach Cllr TonyMcCormack, elected members, Chief Executive Anna Marie Delaney, members of the council management team,Esker Arts staff and County Librarian with Offaly artists Geraldine O’Neill, Siobhan McCormack and Paul Moore surrounded by friends and family.Photographer: Tom O’Hanlon Media

Sister City mayor given civic welcome in Tullamore

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Offaly County Council recently welcomed the mayor of Chandler, Arizona to the county.

Cathaoirleach Cllr Tony McCormack extended a Faithful welcome to Mr Kevin Hartke, Mayor of Chandler in Arizona (Tullamore's sister city) and to exhibiting artists involved in the Ceangal (Connections) Exhibition, including Laurie Fagen (fiber artist), Lynn Hartke (writer), Devon Hancock (filmmaker) and Robert Rice (photographer) at a Civic Welcome event held on Friday in Áras an Chontae.

These artists, together with Offaly based artists Siobhan McCormack (visual artist), Geraldine O’Neill (writer), Evin O’Toole (filmmaker) and Paul Moore (photographer) curated an inspiring exhibition which explores contrasts and similarities between both areas.

Currently on display in Esker Arts, Tullamore (until Saturday, August 24), the exhibition will visit Chandler Museum Gallery in March and April of next year.

Celebrating 15 years of twinning with Chandler in 2024, the initial connection was made due to promotion of and engagement in ‘Fheis in the Desert’ by two Tullamore-born Chandler residents, Tom Bracken (Bracken School of Irish dancing) and Tony Cummins. Chandler approached Tullamore to become its first sister city.

Tullamore and Chandler decided to pursue educational, heritage, historical, art and economic themes as part of their twinning connection. Since the initial connection in 2009, there have been many projects including artists projects, business networking and exploring economic development and a very successful school exchange programme between Sacred Heart School and Seton High School.

Speaking at the Civic Welcome in honour of the Chandler delegation, Cathaoirleach Cllr Tony McCormack spoke of the importance of “looking outwards to make connections with other towns and cities across the world” acknowledging that “Chandler has evolved from a city of crops and fields to a technology hub while maintaining and celebrating family roots and hometown traditions with the Irish diaspora.”

Mayor Kevin Hartke confirmed the strong connection that Chandler has with Tullamore and looks forward to strengthening connections which focus on educational, heritage, historical, art and economic themes.

Chief Executive of Offaly County Council, Anna Marie Delaney noted how Chandler and Tullamore have so many things in common including a vibrant arts community.

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