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
Children of the Free State
by Annie Holland
14 August - 19 September, 2020
In the past 2 years, Laois artist, Annie Holland has begun conversations with older people from rural Laois born before or just after 1922, taking photograpic portraits and engaging in conversations about the past and the present. These conversations create the framework for the exhibition ‘Children of the Free State’ which takes place at Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise from 14 August to 19 September 2020.
Using photography and video, Annie focuses on how the process of documentation and storytelling can itself create space, physically and emotionally, for real dialogue and the narration of personal stories - past and present. She also explores old family photos, dating back generations, as the only tangible bridge that connects the past with the present and her photographs that will connect current and future generations.
Speaking about her work, Annie says: 'I believe that the past of any human being is never permanent, but constantly being reconstructed in the present.’
The project offers an enquiry and perspective into ‘A Sense of Place’ the overarching theme of the Laois Culture and Creativity Strategy 2018 – 2022. It encompasses and articulates our socio-cultural heritage through a range of art media. The photographic and video materials will form part of the Laois County Library Digital Repository and Archive.
Supported by Dunamaise Arts Centre and Creative Ireland Laois, as part of the Creative Ireland Programme 2018-2022 in partnership with Laois County Council.
Link to Annie's blog where there is more information and images from the install.
Limerick Printmakers at 20
Limerick Printmakers at 20
6 March - 2 May
Celebrating the studio’s twenty year anniversary in 2019 with a declaration of intent by the studio and its members, featuring 46 new large-scale prints by 23 participating artists. This collection of new prints illustrates the innovation, diversity, technical prowess, and spirit of experimentation that is central to printmaking as an art form. limerickprintmakers.com
See dunamaise.ie
Artists include: Eoin Barry, Deitrich Blodau, Mike Byrne, Aine Finnegan, Brian Fitzgerald, Deirdre Gallagher, Helena Grimes, Gavin Hogg, Carol Kennedy, Dan Kenny, David Lilburn, Des MacMahon, Ultan McAvinue, Mary O’ Dea, Tony O’ Loughlin, Suzannah O’ Reilly, Kate O’ Shea, Fiona Quill, Rowena Quill, Jim Sheehy, Verona Stellet, Clodagh Twomey, & Isabella Walsh.
UNLOCK
UNLOCK
11 January - 29 February
This exhibition provides a unique insight on the number of people in custody who take up art as a means of self-expression and how participation in art and craft classes regularly unlocks genuine talent in prisoners, giving rise to the title of the exhibition and the many impressive examples of stained glass, ceramics, weaving, jewellery, etc., showcased in UNLOCK.
Supported by Irish Prison Service | The Arts Council | Irish Prison Education Association | Kilmainham Gaol | Laois Offaly Education and Training Board | JP McManus Trust
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.
