Summer Open Exhibition 2025

Summer Open Exhibition 2025

Curated by Gabhann Dunne

Opens from the 4th of July to the 6th of September

Summer Open Exhibition 2025

Curated by the acclaimed Irish artist and curator Gabhann Dunne,  the Summer Open 2025 is a dynamic exhibition bringing together a diverse and exciting collection of works from selected artists across Ireland. Visitors can look forward to an inspiring array of creativity, featuring paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media pieces that reflect the depth and breadth of contemporary Irish art.

With over 90 artists and 100 artworks in this curation, it is a true celebration of artistic expression, with the exhibition highlighting both emerging talents and established voices, offering a unique platform for fresh perspectives and innovative work.

This is a wonderful opportunity to experience original artworks that capture the energy and spirit of Ireland’s creative scene.

All exhibited artworks will also be available for purchase on our website, making this an excellent opportunity for collectors and visitors to take home a piece of contemporary Irish art.

Join us for the Opening Reception on Friday, July 4th, and be part of an uplifting evening of art, community, and conversation in the heart of Co. Clare.

We look forward to welcoming you to this celebration of Irish art and creativity!

Forward

Into its second decade, the Courthouse Gallery & Studios Summer Open has become an anticipated fixture in our annual programme. Each year, it offers a unique window into the variety of contemporary Irish art, a space where emerging voices and established artists meet in conversation.

Inviting an external curator for the first time this year marks a natural progression and a reflection of the growth we’ve made over the past eighteen months. That period has been one of team building and development, as we’ve worked to shape a more cohesive and skilled organisation. Inviting someone of Gabhann Dunne’s calibre to curate this year’s show reflects that ethos: a belief in drawing on the right strengths for each role, and in creating space for collaborative excellence.

We are proud to present this year’s selection, a testament to the richness, range, and resonance of creative practice in Ireland today. Gabhann’s thoughtful and perceptive curation brings a quiet harmony to the exhibition, encouraging us to pause, look closer, and connect more deeply with the work on display.

We would like to sincerely thank our supporters, the Board of Old Ennistymon Heritage, Clare County Arts Office, and the Arts Council of Ireland,  as well as the artists and our dedicated staff who made this exhibition possible.

We invite you to explore the gallery, to linger, and to discover something new.

Éanna Byrt

Director,

The Courthouse Gallery & Studios,

Ennistymon, July 2025

Curator's Introduction

It was a daunting task to be asked to select from such a large and varied range of works as those submitted for the Courthouse Gallery And Studios 2025 Summer Show.

 Going through the submissions two things struck me. One was the quality of the work and the other was some of the artists had put in two pieces that contained a distinct subject or style. I felt that these works beside each other or across from their sister piece would allow a harmony in the viewing of the art that might encourage a visitor to the gallery to slow down, to spend time with the works and appreciate the ability and diverse voice of those artists showing.

Gabhann Dunne

Curator

List of works