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The Board of Uillinn: West Cork Arts Centre is delighted to invite you the opening of the 41st
Members and Friends Exhibition on Saturday 31 May at 2.00pm
by Cllr. Brendan McCarthy, Cork County Council and Chairperson of Skibbereen Arts Festival
with special guest Gerald O'Brien, founding member of West Cork Arts Centre.
This year’s exhibition holds special significance as it coincides with two major milestones: the 40th anniversary of West Cork Arts Centre and the 10th anniversary of Uillinn, our dedicated home for contemporary arts in West Cork. Since its inception in 1985, this exhibition has been a cornerstone of our calendar, celebrating the vibrant creative spirit of West Cork and beyond.
The 2025 Members and Friends Exhibition will showcase a diverse range of work by artists at all stages of their careers selected from our current Members and Friends. Reflecting this year’s theme - Uillinn / Angle - artists were invited to explore the concept of perspective both literal and conceptual, and how differing angles influence how we see and interpret the world. More than a theme, it reflects Uillinn’s ongoing commitment to embracing diverse viewpoints, encouraging creativity, and harnessing meaningful connections between art and community.
To mark this special year, we are also pleased to present a number of juried awards that recognise excellence and offer support to artists. Notable among these are the €2,000 Morgan O’Driscoll Fine Art Auctioneers Award, the Cnoc Buí Exhibition Award which provides the winner with a solo exhibition opportunity in Union Hall in July 2026, and the Uillinn Studio Award, which includes a four-week residency at Uillinn in 2026 with a non-cash equivalent value of €2,400 and an accompanying €500 stipend. The awards will be adjudicated by a jury comprising representatives from Uillinn, The Blue House Gallery, Cnoc Buí, and Working Artists’ Studios. The public will also play a role in the selection process for the Morgan O'Driscoll Fine Art Auctioneers Award, with visitor votes considered by the jury when determining a winner, making audience engagement an integral part of the decision-making.
The award winners will be announced on Saturday 28 June and also on that date, one of the participating artists' names will picked out of a hat to receive an 'art hamper' kindly supported by Strand Framing, Clonakilty; Cathal O'Donovan's Bookshop, Skibbereen and Wild Atlantic Framing, Skibbereen.
This exhibition celebrates both the achievements of our artistic community and the enduring importance of the arts and of Uillinn: West Cork Arts Centre in the life of our region, and runs until Thursday 3 July.
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