Immerse yourself in the world of art as Stephen guides you through his captivating painting masterclass.
Date: January 25th, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Whether you're a seasoned artist or a beginner, this class is open to all artists looking to spend the evening creating their own spin on Belfast landmarks and what inspires their artistic choices.
But of course, that's not all... as our guests, you'll be treated to a complimentary drink of your choice. Discover our Titanic Distillers spirits and a mixer or range of cocktails as you paint – the choice is yours!
Your Ticket Includes:
Expert Painting Guidance by Stephen Whalley
Complimentary Drink (Spirits and Mixer, or Cocktail)
A Memorable Evening of Creativity and Fun in our historic location
Don't miss out on this unique blend of artistry and spirits. Gather your the neighbours, grab your mates, and let's make January 25th a night to remember.
Secure your spot now for "Paint and Drams" – where your masterpiece awaits!
FOLLOW THIS LINK TO BOOK ONLINE:
https://www.titanicdistillers.com/blogs/news-events/paint-and-drams
The two 90-minute sessions provided a welcome respite from the busy working week and allowed the team an opportunity to flex their creative muscles.
Michael Neill, Head of our Belfast office, commented:
“We recognise the importance of engaging with the wider interests of our clients and staff, alongside their professional interests. Our team works extremely hard every day and we are aware that taking time out to relax is vital for their health and wellbeing.
“As a firm, we continue to forge strong links with the arts community as we realise the mutual benefit that these ongoing collaborations can bring. These workshops are the latest in a number of our initiatives designed to support the local arts and culture sector – complementing our sponsorship at the Lyric Theatre and our partnership with Belfast Exposed.”
Stephen Whalley is the CEO and Founder of Whalley Group and Whalley Fine Art, who, together with his wife Dawn Crothers, facilitated the workshops.
He commented:
“Dawn and I can both attest to the fact that picking up a paint brush is a great way to turn off the stresses of everyday life and connect with your creative side. With society really starting to understand the benefits of mindfulness, it seemed a logical step to offer the workshops to businesses as a way to help their staff unwind and take care of their mental health.
“In recent years A&L Goodbody has very clearly demonstrated a commitment to collaboration between business and the arts, so it made sense to us to partner with the firm to launch this new aspect of our business in Mental Health & Wellbeing Week, and we are delighted to be doing so.
]]>However, pocket squares as a fashion accessory for formal as well as casual attire have only been around since the beginning of the 20th century. Especially popular in the 1920s, men used to wear a pocket square in combination with a suit, a vest, and the era’s typical fedora hat.
Initially pocket squares came from the linen handkerchiefs used for personal hygiene. Handkerchiefs have been used for over 600 years. It is said that the handkerchief was invented by Richard II of England (1367-1400) “as a little piece of cloth for the lord king to wide and clean his nose”. The upper class in London used it to cover their noses when walking among the normal citizens. Initially only the upper class adopted the use of a linen hankerchief, but by the 17th century the handkerchief was as quite common among all classes throughout western Europe.
Originally handkerchiefs were placed in the trousers’ pockets since it was seen as un-clean to show a “used” hankerchief in the visible breast pocket of a man’s jacket. As 2 piece suits came into fashion in the 19th century, many men started to place their clean pocket square into the breast pocket of their jacket to protect it from dirt and other objects, such as coins, in their trousers’ pockets. After use the pocket square would move from the breast pocket to the trousers’ pockets.
The look of the pocket square in the breast pocket became more popular, especially after specific folding techinques came into use. By the 1920s the pocket square had become more of a fashion accessory than having any other purpose. Often, men had a poacket square in their breast pocket, and another hankerchief in their trousers meant for wiping their hands or cleaning their nose.
Later on, during the 40s and 50s the linen handkerchiefs were viewed us unhygenic. The kleenex company, founded in 1924, was the first company to make disposable handkerchiefs. As a result, the linen hankershief was replaced, and only used as a fashion accessory in form of a pocket square. Pocket squares are still today a very fashionable piece of accessory for any formal, casual or business attire.
Whalley is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman conquest of 1066. The Whalley Family lived in Lancashire, in the township of Whalley, while Whaley is a small town in Derbyshire.
The surname Whalley was first found in Lancashire where they were descended from Wyamarus Whalley, who accompanied William the Conqueror, from Normandy, and was the Standard Bearer at the Battle of Hastings. The Conqueror gave him the Lordship of Whalley in the county of Lancaster. In 1296 an Abbot and about 20 monks arrived in Whalley to create a church that would become Whalley Abbey. One of the census records of the name was Robert de Whalley who died before 1193 and was listed as the rector of Rochdale.
There are only three Whalley families that moved to Ireland and my family is one of them.
Working with the main element of the coat of arms the ‘Three Whales’ the whales tail logo was formed with a ‘W’ placed inside it.
Logos and emblems have been a passion of mine from early childhood as I remember drawing them to practice my skills as an artist from when I started art in school until completing a degree at the University of Ulster in Design.
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