Val McGann

Val McGann

  • Biography

    Val McGann (1928-2016)

    Val McGann was an Irish-American Postwar & Contemporary artist.

    Val McGann has a distinguished background as an artist. He studied at the National College of Art, Dublin; and the Byam Shaw College of Art, London. He has exhibited in Dublin, London, Boston, New York and Washington D.C.

    Discerning collectors throughout the United Sates and abroad own Val McGann’s paintings. His luminous paintings of the seacoast have received widespread acclaim. His apples and pears in still life call to mind the sensuousness of Cezanne.

    He painted in his studio in Kennebunkport Maine, preparing for fundraising exhibitions, and wintered in Naples, Florida.

  • Awards

    He was a member of the Founding Committee of The American Ireland Fund.

    He is listed in the Who's Who of the Irish in America.

    In 1982, he was nominated for the International Award for Individual Achievement from United Dominions Trust Bank, Dublin.

  • Exhibitions

    His one-man exhibitions in the House of Representatives, US Capitol Building, Washington DC and Butler Galleries in New York City were major successes.

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    Article from the Naples Daily News (Naples, Florida, USA)
    March 27, 2006

    By Bernadette La Paglia

    As seasonal Neapolitan Bob Davenport studied the 16 x 20 oil, "The Survivors," by Irish artist Val McGann at his Vanderbilt Gallery exhibit earlier this month, he found himself transported rather mystically to another time and place.

    "This brings to mind the tragic story of the raft of the Meduse...Nineteenth Century...at the Louvre. Massive painting," Davenport said. "La Meduse," he softly repeated while remaining fixated.

    "Instead of dying men adrift at sea... subjected to cannibalism... we have here two lovely pears," he said.

    Davenport is not new to the Vanderbilt Gallery. He receives their invitations regularly and makes note of them. He is also familiar with the artist, whom he first encountered at the McGann Gallery formerly located on Broad Street. But he was quick to acknowledge an air of serendipity about the convergence of the evening.

    "Tonight I came not even knowing Val was here. I received the invitation, put it on the mirror, and never read it," he said.

    "He really knows how to paint. And he's famous for his pears," Davenport said of McGann's work. "Essentially, as with this painting (referring to "The Survivors"), you get two paintings in one. You get a seascape and a still life. You get a touch of realism and surrealism. These prices are so reasonable but for how long?"

    As if on queue, a transaction was made to purchase the featured painting, "The Boating Pears," a 20 x 24 oil, for a mere $3,000; a bargain by Davenport's standards.

    Pears aren't the only things that intrigue McGann. He's also becoming increasingly renowned for his luminous seascapes, for example. Many of them depict his summer digs in Kennebunkport, Maine, where he also has a studio and enjoys welcoming such clientele as former First Lady Barbara Bush.

    But perhaps the greatest work of art at the exhibit is the artist himself. At 78, the bearded McGann stands tall and fit at 6'4". Though an Irishman through and through, one wonders if he might be a present day version of one of the legendary Scottish heroes populating the historic novels of Sir Walter Scott. Possibly?

    Turns out, McGann is as impressive an athlete as he is an artist. Beneath the gentleness that takes brush in hand to confront the canvas is a man of iron. His attendant wife, Anna (also a work of art), is eager to boast her husband's athletic achievements. As a youth in Ireland, he held the National Pole Vault record, won ten Irish decathlons and 75 Amateur Heavy Weight Boxing fights.

    And, as if that wasn't enough to make St. Patrick himself faint from Irish pride, in March of 2003, McGann competed in the Weight Throw of the American Masters Indoor Track & Field Championships where he set an American record in the men's 75-80 age category. His throw of 41 feet 1.5 inches shattered the old record by nearly four feet.

    Later that same year, he again competed in the 75-80 age category at the World Championships in Puerto Rico, winning the Silver Medal by throwing the Hammer.

    Vanderbilt Gallery is located at 1300 Third Street South. For more information visit www.bvanderbiltcol@aol.com or call 659-2600.

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    From: "Seacoast Online"
    McGann Still at the Top of His Game
    written by: Mike Smith
    August 21, 2008

    Kennebunkport artist Val McGann, still looking fit and trim at 80 years of age, recently set a world record in the weight throw at a Masters Track and Field event.

    KENNEBUNKPORT — At 80 years of age, Kennebunkport artist and weight throw competitor Val McGann shows little signs of slowing down, either with his brush and canvas or with his impact in the realm of track and field.

    McGann recently competed in the American Masters Track and Field Championships at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center in Boston where he won the weight and super weight throw in the 80-85 age division — setting a new American and world record in the super weight throw.

    McGann is a member of The Twilight Throwers in Chelmsford, Mass.

    McGann tossed the 35-pound weight 7.94 meters (26 feet and three quarters of an inch), which is currently the world standard to beat for those in the 80-85 age category.

    "Right now I have nothing until we go to Florida and attempt a few outdoor records," said McGann. "At my age group I know I can get them."

    McGann is rightfully proud of his record, but knows there are others who are chasing it.

    "I'm waiting to see what someone in Germany, Russia, or Sweden will do," he said.

    "They're all old Oympians and their season starts later. They'll be trying to break my record. Then I'll have to start all over and just throw farther."

    With that in mind, there is more work ahead for the seemingly unstoppable octogenarian who not only throws weights, but paints in his studio, the Val McGann Gallery, located at 15 Ocean Avenue in Kennebunkport.

    "I paint seascapes, still life, lobster boats, and anything that the tourists would want," he said. "It's been making me a living for the past 50 years."

    This renaissance man is also a self-taught violinist, plays the tin whistle, and is a devourer of poetry, one of his many interests.

    McGann doubles the use of his gallery by utilizing the space to work on his throwing form. But if you walk into his gallery, you probably won't catch him working on his timing.

    "I train right here in the gallery," said McGann who retains his Irish accent, having been born there some 80 years ago. "I work on my turns and get my rhythm down. At my age you need the rhythm to get the turns right.

    "But I have a little bell on the door to let me know when people come in," he chuckled.

    McGann continues to train and compete and says he plans to keep doing so out of love of the quest. Earlier in his athletic career, he was the Irish decathlon and pole vault national champion.

    "I still compete because it makes me feel like I'm still young," said McGann. "I work out every night at the gym and the pool. You have to keep at it the older you get.

    "I do pulling exercises," he added. "I pull 100 pounds in five sets of 30. The main thing is to keep your pulling muscles strong. That's what you use to throw."

    McGann speaks of how the focus in Western culture seems to be on youth and how the older generation is sometimes forgotten.

    "Everything is youth oriented," said McGann. "They gloss over the fact that a 101 year old (Buster Martin) completed the London Marathon in just over 10 hours ... and he stopped for a pint along the way. That's the greatest (athletic) achievement in this century and they didn't invite him to Beijing for a lap or anything."

    He'll soon finish another summer in his gallery in the Port before heading south for the winter and preparing for future events on the Masters Track and Field circuit.

    "The Masters (track and field competitions) is a Cinderella group all over the world," added McGann. "Many are old Olympians who want to hang in. But other than friends and family there's nobody there to see them compete."

    McGann has been married to his wife Anna for the past 39 years. She too was competitive, having run a number of road races including the Bonnie Bell and the Falmouth (Mass.) road races.

Showing the single artwork

Val McGann

Evening Haze Maine, 20th–21st C.
20 x 25 cm Framed: 33 x 38 x 3.5 cm Oil on Board $125.00