Irish American Artists and Writers Unite
Pic: James Cagney, famous Irish American actor
A new organisation has recently been formed to celebrate the rich tradition of Irish America. Comprised of some of the world’s leading artistic talent, Irish American Writers and Artists Inc. (IAWA), has admirably taken on the mission to “highlight, energize and encourage Irish Americans working in the arts”.
The group grew organically from the meeting of several Irish American writers at a literary festival in Charlottesville, Virginia in March 2008. Authors Peter Quinn, Maureen Dezell and T.J. English, historian and author Daniel Cassidy and New York Times columnist and author Dan Barry all attended the event as panelists and discovered over drinks in a pub afterward their similar views on the upcoming US Presidential Primary in Pennsylvania. After taking a quick poll, they discovered that they were all supporting then nominee Barack Obama and were all concerned about the stereotype that “white working-class ethnics” had of being staunch conservatives, if not outright bigots. So together they took out an advertisement in the Irish Echo, the largest Irish newspaper in the U.S., announcing their support for Obama.
The group, now totaling 44 and including many other esteemed artists and writers, had high expectations for the candidate saying, “Senator Obama represents to us the best hope for achieving an America that includes all and leaves no one out – an America that slaves and immigrants alike dreamed would one day include their children. We believe he can inspire and lead the struggle for social justice, civil rights and equality of opportunity. We see in him a continuation and reaffirmation of the movement John F. Kennedy helped to foster and for which Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy gave their lives.”
From this show of solidarity grew what they called a “spirit of collectivism” and the official naming of their collaboration as the IAWA.
Pic: Actor Matt Dillon will attend
On October 16th, their inaugural Eugene O’Neill Award Benefit will be held in New York celebrating the lifetime achievements of author William Kennedy. Attending will be actor Matt Dillon and writer John Patrick Shanley (author of Doubt) who “will help celebrate the words and artistry of William Kennedy”. Interested in going? Register here.
It is encouraging to see such an organisation forming and it will no doubt spark new interest in Irish American arts. Do you think that there is a need for such a venture?
Thanks to Noreen Bowden at Éan for letting us know about this.
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