Exhibitions
Dunamaise Gallery hosts up to 8 exhibitions annually as well as professional development seminars and networking events for visual artists. Gallery visits for art students and Artists Talks for all audiences welcome people in, to explore the work on show as well learn more about the artists’ careers, their creative practices and processes.
Exhibitions are programmed through a mix of selections from Open Calls, direct invitation and community focused projects. Sometimes tied into the performing arts programme or the calendar of local and national events, each year exhibitions feature work in a variety of media and include solo and group shows.
The next opportunity to apply for an exhibition will be widely advertised in summer 2021, for exhibitions 2021-2024. Guidelines and application details will be posted here at that time.
In the meantime, please enjoy exploring our online Exhibitions below. We look forward to welcoming you back into Dunamaise Gallery as soon as circumstances allow.
Artist's Showcase at Caffe Latte
Less formal, month long presentations of a small number of works, suitable for a family audience and a cafe setting. Details here.
Apply via email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Open Exhibition
Open Exhibition
15 November - 4 January | Exhibition Reception on Friday 15 November, 7pm
This year’s Open Submission Group Show will feature artworks selected by a guest curator.
This showcase offers an opportunity to create exciting visual dialogues and conversations from the breadth and depth of artistic expression by emerging and established artists who take part.
Submissions on Monday 11 November. Details & application form available for download here
A month long Residency at Laois Arthouse, Stradbally will be awarded to one of the selected artists. Supported by Dunamaise Arts Centre and Laois Arts Office.
This years Guest Selector will be Robert Armstrong
Robert Armstrong was born in Gorey and attended the National College of Art & Design in Dublin 1969 – 1974. In 1983 he and others co-founded Temple Bar Gallery & Studios in Dublin. He began to teach painting at NCAD in 1991, eventually becoming Head of Painting Department in 2002. He retired from this post in 2018. He has exhibited regularly in Ireland and abroad, and is included in many public and private collections. He is subject of a number of publications, with essays by Aidan Dunne, Declan Long and Colm Toibin. He lives and works in Dublin and is represented by Kevin Kavanagh Gallery.
Our Choice, Our World
20 September - 9 November
5th and 6th class children from Scoil Bhríd, Mountrath will work with professional curators, artists and Dunamaise Gallery to take part in this new creative project. Working together with Dunamaise and Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, Dublin - Pupils selected work by established artists which is presented in an exciting new exhibition at Dunamaise Arts Centre. A related programme of talks and workshops for schoolchildren and families will be programmed alongside the exhibition.
Supported by Creative Ireland Laois, as part of the Creative Ireland Programme in partnership with Laois County Council
Creative Space at Dunamaise Gallery
Children of all ages are invited to respond throughout the exhibition and visits from other schools are welcome. Class and Family Activity Sheets will be available from the Box Office and FREE artist led workshops encouraging creative expression and exploration include:
FUN ART WORKSHOPS
inspired by the exhibition!
Sat 2 Nov, 2pm for families.
Wed 30 Oct, 4pm for ages 7+
INSPIRED STORYTELLING
Tell tall tales from your
imagination, sparked by the artworks on display
Sat 9 Nov, 2pm
Journeys
Spikey Jar Collective | Journeys
Mixed Media by Doreen Bourke, Textile Art & Painting by Janet O’Grady, Nora Reilly, Kate O’Brien, Mel McNally
A group of Laois based contemporary artists present work inspired by their diverse backgrounds and interests and wide ranging experiences.
Exhibition runs 9 August - 15 September | Exhibition Reception Thursday 15 August, 7pm
Lost images of the Nacirema Tribe
by Darina Meagher| Lost images of the Nacirema Tribe
Exhibition runs 28 June - Fri 2 August | Artist Talk & Reception Saturday 13 July, 3pm
Important artefacts discovered in a disused attic space at Dunamaise have been curated by award winning artist Darina Meagher. The long lost images are presented to enlighten and expose an astonishing ancient tribe and their disturbing body rituals. They authenticate a major anthropological study* from the 1950’s by an eminent anthropologist. Come and explore these artefacts and their supporting materials which have baffled all local historians!
(* “Body Ritual among the Nacirema” by Prof. Horace Milner, Published in The American Anthropologist, vol. 58 (1956), pp. 503-507)
