14 March - 30 April

Over 1,000 monuments which have come into the care of the State over the last 150 years, form part of a proud national heritage estate that is the backbone of Ireland’s heritage tourism industry. It is an equally important testament to the State’s responsibility to care for our past and a key priority of Ireland’s Office of Public Works (OPW) and the National Monuments Service (NMS).

1 February - 5 March  

Exhibition Reception Friday 10 February, 7pm  

8-12-year olds from weekly art classes at Dunamaise are collaborating together to create a child led exhibition. Facilitated by Artist Caroline Keane, the young artists shall be exploring the media of fine art, using Dunamaise Gallery as their very own artist studios throughout January, to create a collection of art for children by children. School visits welcome.

Family Art Workshop on Sat 18 Feb, see link: https://dunamaise.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873632700

OPW and the Department of Finance Northern Ireland, Annual Touring Exhibition

7 October - 20 November 2022

Featured Artists include: Samantha Ellis Fox; Carol Graham; Alana Barton; Kim Montgomery; Daniel Nelis; Laura Cronin; Owen de Forge; Sile Walsh; Jessica Hollywood; Merve Jones; Connor Maguire; Anthony Haughey; Joanne Betty Conlon; Joanne Betty Conlon; Beverley Healy; Celie Byrne; Stephen Johnston; John Cooney; Ciaran Harper; Dáibhidh Stiúbhard; Philip Flanagan; Christopher Banaghan; Mónika Bögyös; Becks Butler; Joanne Clerkin; Alex deRoeck ; Vivienne Dick; Amanda Doran; Charles Harper; Vanessa Jones; Gary Loughlin; Maitiú Mac Cárthaigh; Alice Maher; Paddy McCabe; Kevin Mooney; Eva O'Donovan; Tolu Ogunware; Nuala O'Sullivan; David Quinn; Vera Ryklova and Éva Anna Szántó-Nádudvari

This annual cross border touring exhibition brings artworks usually located in Government offices and public buildings managed by the OPW and the Department of Finance, Northern Ireland, to wider audiences and demonstrates the commitment to the cross-border partnership that exists between the two central Government Departments. 

The focus of this year’s exhibition is people - the many ways they are represented in artworks and the responses elicited by the viewer. The 41 pieces by 40 artists were specially curated to reflect the artists’ vision of a diverse range of people and creates a portfolio of humanity, its presence and perceptions, as portrayed throughout the collections.

This cultural project platforms visual artists talent and creativity through a wide range of artwork media and styles, including paintings, photographs, prints and sculpture, from emerging and established artists.  Without the artists’ hard work and dedication, there could not be such exhibitions.  Both departments are pleased to participate in this project, to highlight their support our island’s creative economy, supporting cultural expression and widening an appreciation of the artworks which are heritage assets for future generations, valued and looked after by the two administrations.

A bilingual catalogue (Irish and English) illustrating the artworks accompanies the exhibition, free of charge to exhibition visitors. Additional educational resources are available and guided tours can be arranged on request, to provide further information.

The OPW artworks included in the exhibitions were acquired mainly through the Government’s Per Cent for Art Scheme which allows for 1% of a project’s construction budget to be set aside to provide artworks for public buildings.  The purpose of this scheme is to support the work of emerging Irish artists or non-Irish artists resident in Ireland and to bring contemporary art to the public and celebrate Irish creativity across all art forms.

Person / Presence / Perception opened its tour of Ireland in the Burnavon, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone in September and can be viewed at Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise from Friday 7 October to 20 November 2022. The tour then continues to The Mainguard, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary in March-April 2023 and other venues to be announced.

Details of a gallery reception and related artist talk at Dunamaise will be announced soon.

Fadó Faces / 18 August - 30 September

An exhibition celebrating the lives and stories of older people in County Laois, through traditional portrait painting and digital art by a selection of local artists.

Opening Reception Thursday 18 August, 7pm.

All welcome.

Supported by Creative Ireland Laois as part of the Creative Ireland Programme - Creativity in Older Age fund in partnership with Laois County Council and Dunamaise Arts Centre.