THERE WAS the traditional cutting of a fine red ribbon, excited popping of champagne bottles and a steady supply of recently realised art lovers commenting with feigned knowledge on the obvious brilliance of the brush strokes.
All in all, it looked very like countless openings of great exhibitions of works of art before it.
A few points to note that might distinguish the ceremony, however.
Firstly the location – a convent.
Secondly, the celebrated painter herself, one Jo Corby, a 93-year-old nun from Tipperary.
Born in 1918 outside Tipperary town, she has been a nun in the Sisters of Holy Faith for 74 years. Her sister, Hillary Corby, also joined the order.
Initially trained as a primary teacher, Jo Corby moved to the United States after spending 17 years teaching in a Holy Faith school in Rosbercon, Co Wexford.
Upon her return to Ireland in 1980, she surprised many with her forward-thinking ways, leading a yoga class in the evenings after her school work was done in St Brigid’s in Celbridge, Co Kildare. It also marked the time when she began to develop her interest in art.
An energetic woman, she was appointed to the general council of the congregation of Holy Faith nuns in 1983, where she served for six years as the vicar general, the assistant to the mother general.
In the last number of years, she moved into the convent in Glasnevin, where her painting career began in earnest.
Her paintings usually portray some corner of Ireland’s rugged scenery.
The source of inspiration for the works varies from trips to art schools around the country to idyllic vistas she happens to come across.
“She lives life to the full,” said Sr Marie Dunne, who has lived with Jo on several occasions.
“She has been a great support for everyone. She loves life and just encourages and enables people and sees the best in everybody.”