Friday 20 September, 5pm – 10pm

Crawford Art Gallery will close for a major redevelopment on Sunday 22 September so join us for our last Culture Night for a little while…

Full Programme

Living statue

17.00 – 19.30, outdoors and in Gibson Galleries

No booking required

Our popular living statue returns for Culture Night 2024, wowing adults and children alike and quite literally posing questions about how we view the famous Canova Casts and other sculptures in the collection. 

Gallery Shenanigans: family friendly workshop

17.00 – 21.00, Upper Gallery

No booking required

Prepare for some chaos and creativity inspired by the Crawford collection in the gallery’s spacious Upper Gallery with a drop-in family-friendly workshop, all Culture Night long!

Speed-dating the Collection

Would you like to get acquainted with iconic works from your National Collection? Speed-dating the Collection is simple: check the time and location of the artwork, find it in the gallery, and an expert guide will offer a short 10-minute introduction! Several significant artworks will be showcased throughout the night, making Speed-dating the Collection the perfect way to learn about your National Collection.

No booking required

Lecture series: Meet the Team

18.00 – 21.30, Lecture Theatre 

No booking required 

Delve deep into Crawford Art Gallery’s upcoming redevelopment, learn all about the art of conservation and meet the team behind Transforming Crawford Art Gallery. 

18.00 – 18.30: Conservator Dr Chiara Chillé, Caring for the Collection

19.00 – 19.30: Registrar Jean O’Donovan, Crating the Collection

20.00 – 20.30: Director Mary McCarthy, Shaping the Future of Crawford Art Gallery

Music at Crawford Art Gallery

17.00 – 21.30, outdoors and in various locations

No booking required

Delight in the sounds of music transporting you through Crawford Art Gallery’s atmospheric exhibition spaces this Culture Night. Accomplished Trad, Jazz and Classical musicians enliven the gallery and include: 

• John Ahern (classical & Celtic guitar)
• Trad duo Macdara Ó Faoláin and Victoria Adiiye 
• Pizzazz (String Duo)
• The Neil Murphy Jazz trio

Exhibitions and screenings

17.00 – 22.00 in various locations

No booking required

Our River Lee themed From Source to Sea exhibition, a selection of highlights from Crawford Art Gallery’s collection, and our Artists Film International screenings are all open to enjoy on Culture Night. 

1pm Wednesday 18 September
Sculpture Galleries

Join us for a special performance in the Sculpture Galleries as artist Harry Moore forges connections with our historic collection of Canova Casts.

Ancient Greek and Roman sculptures celebrate athletic activity and focus on the body’s health. The human forms they epitomize are idealised, or revered aspirations of the ‘perfect’ human form. Resonances in contemporary activity of this nature can be found in yoga practice.

From Canova to Yoga reflects the shift of practice from the ancient athletic pursuits of the plaster casts to a more contemporary range of yoga poses. The human forms represented in these statues are generally of spritely youthful adults, but the yoga exercise will be realised by a person of more years and sags and wrinkles!

The live artist is painted white to relate to the plaster works in the gallery with a blue yoga mat echoing the décor of the room. A series of yoga actions are undertaken with poses held to reflect the frozen stance of the surrounding plaster casts.

The performance also relates to a challenge by sculptor John Gibson, made 200 years ago, as to whether there could be any additions or innovations to the ancient sculptural poses, which resulted in John Hogan’s creation of The Drunken Faun (1826) displayed in the Sculpture Galleries.

This free event concludes the RECASTING CANOVA programme, 2019-2024.

Duration: 20 minutes approximately

No booking required but there is limited capacity

Please note: the artist will appear nude for the duration. Visitor discretion advised.

Harry Moore is an artist with an interest in theatre, woodwork, photography, music and sound performance, and composition. He is a former Artistic Director of Art Trail and has been commissioned by Cork City Council and IndieCork Film Festival. In his practice, he has a particular focus on pinhole photography and his work is represented in the collections of Crawford Art Gallery, University College Cork, and Dublin Docklands Development Authority.

Thursday 1 August, 6pm & 7pm

There will be two tours
6pm: Book here through Eventbrite 
7pm: Book here through Eventbrite

To celebrate Cork Pride Festival, Crawford Art Gallery will host a special LGBTQ+ Tour of its exhibitions! As we continue to diversify the collection, we invite you to explore the Gallery in the heart of Cork City through an alternative lens. Drag queen Candy Warhol will guide visitors through select works and discuss LGBTQ+ contexts. The tour will feature artworks by Stephen Doyle, Patrick Hennessy, Victoria Russell and more! These tours will be free to attend but must be booked in advance. The tour will last approximately 40 minutes.

Hailing from Cork City, Candy Warhol has been one of Ireland's most renowned drag acts for over a decade. Born with glitter in her veins, she is a descendant of legendary drag phenomenon Danny La Rue. Candy is the mother of Mockie Ah, Ireland's leading Drag Haus. The collective has gone from strength to strength with nationwide sell out events and in 2021, an RTÉ documentary focusing on the group, Kin Of Kweens, was aired. In 2022, Candy appeared on BBC One's The Travel Show after Mockie Ah was named one of Ireland's top tourist attractions. Candy is also the co-host of Comedy Central’s Dragony Aunts and the hit podcast Friends of Dorothy. Her debut play, The Wind That Shakes The Wig, launched at Dublin Fringe and had a sell out run at Cork Midsummer.

Thursday 22 August, 1pm

Join us for a special Heritage Week tour of our exhibition, FROM SOURCE TO SEA, as curator Michael Waldron guides visitors on a journey along the course of the River Lee. And all from the comfort of the gallery! 

This event is free to attend but booking is essential. Reserve your place via Eventbrite.

Friday 26 July, 1pm

On Friday 26 July, Crawford Art Gallery is delighted to host a Mindfulness Tour in our new exhibition From Source to Sea! This tour will take place at a slower rate than our usual Gallery tours, allowing participants to take their time, and fully immerse themselves in the experience of exploring the art on display.

This tour has been designed to incorporate elements of slow looking, reflection, and mindfulness, providing a unique opportunity for visitors to engage with the art in a deeper, more meaningful way.

The Mindfulness Tour will take place at 1pm and last approximately 45 minutes, making it the perfect lunchtime activity for those who wish to take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life. 

Please note that due to the slower pace of the tour, spaces are free but limited, and prior booking is required on Eventbrite here.

Wednesday 21^st August, 13.15, Lower Gallery

Join us for a very special talk as part of Heritage Week.

The process and planning for decanting Crawford Art Gallery’s extensive collection is a huge undertaking. Production Manager Kathryn Coughlan talks through this fascinating process, as well as the potential risks involved in leaving a collection on-site during building work. Looking ahead, she will take us through what is involved with bringing the bringing works back home once the capital redevelopment is complete.

This talk is free, but booking is required. Secure your space by clicking here.

Check out our other Heritage Week events below:
Caring for the Collection with Dr Chiara Chillè 
Crating the Collection with Jean O’Donovan 
Shaping the future of Crawford Art Gallery with Mary McCarthy 

Monday 19^th August, 13.15, Lower Gallery

Join us for a very special talk as part of Heritage Week.

Over 3,000 precious artworks are set to be moved offsite by the end of 2024, for Crawford Art Gallery’s ambitious redevelopment project. How can such a precious collection be stored safely? Join Registrar Jean O’Donovan as she reveals her preparations for packing and moving Crawford Art Gallery’s diverse collection of artworks and objects.

This talk is free, but booking is required. Secure your space by clicking here.

Check out our other Heritage Week events below:
Caring for the Collection with Dr Chiara Chillè 
Decanting the Collection with Kathryn Coughlan 
Shaping the future of Crawford Art Gallery with Mary McCarthy 

Friday 16^th August, 13.15, Lower Gallery

Join us for a very special talk as part of Heritage Week.

Art conservation is a vital tool in preserving cultural heritage and nobody believes this more passionately than conservator Dr Chiara Chillè, who is working in Crawford Art Gallery as they prepare to close for their capital redevelopment project. Join Chiara for a talk on the general principles of conservation followed by a more detailed look at her work with Crawford Art Gallery’s collection. 

This talk is free, but booking is required. Secure your space by clicking here.

Check out our other Heritage Week events below:
Crating the Collection with Jean O’Donovan 
Decanting the Collection with Kathryn Coughlan 
Shaping the future of Crawford Art Gallery with Mary McCarthy 

Wednesday 10 July, 1pm

Join us on Wednesday 10 July for a special lunchtime tour of our new exhibition, FROM SOURCE TO SEA, as curator Michael Waldron guides you on a journey along the course of the River Lee. And all from the comfort of the gallery! This event is free to attend but booking is essential, to reserve your space, book through Eventbrite here 

Sathairn 13 Iúil, 2i.n. | Saturday 13 July, 2pm

Tá an-áthas orainn a fhógairt go bhfuil turas uathúil á thairiscint againn ar Ghailearaí Crawford Chorcaí á chur i láthair trí Ghaeilge! Déan tú féin a thumadh sa Bhailiúchán Náisiúnta agus sna taispeántais atá ar taispeáint faoi láthair ag Gailearaí Crawford Chorcaí mar threoraí eolach a thugann tú ar thuras tríd an nGailearaí. Cuireann an turas seo deis iontach ar fáil chun tuiscint a fháil ar na saothair ealaíne agus tú ag plé leis an nGaeilge, is cuma má tá tú líofa i nGaeilge nó díreach ag iarraidh taithí a fháil ar an teanga. Tá an turas seo ar oscailt do chách, saor in aisce chun freastal air agus ní gá aon áirithint a dhéanamh roimh ré.

We are delighted to announce that we are offering a unique tour of Crawford Art Gallery presented through Irish! Immerse yourself in the National Collection and exhibitions currently on show at Crawford Art Gallery as our knowledgeable guide takes you on a captivating journey through the Gallery. This tour provides a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the artwork while engaging with the Irish language, whether you're a fluent Irish speaker or simply interested in experiencing the language. This tour is open to all, free to attend and requires no prior booking!

Sé Daingean Uí Chúise, Co. Chiarraí, áit dhúchais Deirdre McKenna. D'fhreastail sí ar Choláiste Ealaíona agus Dearadh Crawford, i gCorcaigh mar a dhein sí staidéir ar mhínealaíon agus tá sí ag cleachtadh mar ealaíontóir gairmiúil ó shin i leith. Tá spéis faoi leith aici i gcúrsaí priontála agus cló-bhualadh agus is ball í de Cork Printmakers, áit a dhéanann sí formhór dá cuid saothar priontála. Tá a cuid saothar ealaíona le fáil i mórán bailiúcháin, ina measc, i nGailearaí Ealaíne Crawford agus coimisiún ó Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí (OPW) i dTeach Laighean. Cuireann sí ceardlanna eitseála ar fáil i Cork Printmakers ó am go chéile.

Deirdre McKenna is an artist from Dingle in West Kerry. She has been working as a professional artist since studying fine art at the Crawford College of Art and Design in Cork. Printmaking has become an important part of her multidisiplinary practice and she is a member of Cork Printmakers where she explores the possibilities of etching and relief techniques. Her work is included in many collections including The Crawford Gallery and Leinster House (commissioned by the OPW). McKenna facilitates etching workshops at Cork Printmakers.

9 June, 12pm, Upper Gallery

Directed by Katrina Emtage, and featuring guest percussionist Patrick Lynch, CAFE (Cork’s Amazing Flute Ensemble) presents the final instalment of this year’s Music at Midday series at the Crawford Art Gallery in partnership with MTU Cork School of Music!

Showcasing the entire flute family, everything from piccolo to bass flute, the programme will feature a variety of original works and arrangements for flute choir, including Nicole Chamberlain’s homage to the steam train ‘Railroaded’, a mix of Dvorak and Aladdin, and music inspired by folk songs from South America.

CAFE is made up of amateur and professional flute players from all over Cork City and County who enjoy making music together and share a passion for the flute in all its forms. Recent concerts include performances at Fota House and Cloyne Cathedral, as well as appearances at charity concerts and Cork’s Lifelong Learning Festival.

Join us on Sunday 9 June at 12pm to witness one of Cork’s most innovative musical ensembles, live at the Crawford Art Gallery!

Friday 28 June, 1pm

On Friday 28 June, Crawford Art Gallery is delighted to host a Mindfulness Tour in our new exhibition From Source to Sea! This tour will take place at a slower rate than our usual Gallery tours, allowing participants to take their time, and fully immerse themselves in the experience of exploring the art on display.

This tour has been designed to incorporate elements of slow looking, reflection, and mindfulness, providing a unique opportunity for visitors to engage with the art in a deeper, more meaningful way.

The Mindfulness Tour will take place at 1pm and last approximately 45 minutes, making it the perfect lunchtime activity for those who wish to take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life. 

Please note that due to the slower pace of the tour, spaces are free but limited, and prior booking is required on Eventbrite here.

6pm, Friday 24 May
Lecture Theatre 

Ursula Burke's practice incorporates porcelain sculpture, soft sculpture, embroidery sculpture and drawing. Her work explores precarity in the social realm, power relations in the political arena and post-conflict histories relative to Northern Ireland.

Burke’s installation,  These Fragile Monuments, consists of a tapestry frieze investigating Irish historical, art historical and contemporary representations of guerrilla warfare inspired by the work of Norwegian tapestry artist Hannah Ryggen (1894-1970). Inviting Ukrainian weaver Zhanna Petrenko to weave the tapestry, Burke creates a thread between two countries and periods of time.  She  has also created a sculpture of a battle-bruised dog modelled on The Jennings Dog – a Greek bronze from the 2nd century CE – which is covered in hand embroidered flames emblematic of all the houses and commercial premises that were burnt out by the Black and Tans.

Ursula Burke will be in conversation with Dr Edwin Coomasaru, a historian of modern and contemporary British, Irish and Sri Lankan art; his research considers the politics of ‘gender, sexuality, and race. Coomasaru is an editor of the journal Visual Culture in Britain. 

URSULA BURKE: These Fragile Monuments (25 May – 21 July) is a BUILDING AS WITNESS artist project, supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under the Decade of Centenaries Programme 2012 - 2023.

With Brian Teeling, Jennie Taylor, James Merrigan and Sara O’Brien 
6pm, Thursday 16 May
Lecture Theatre

The launch of this collaborative project between visual artist, Brian Teeling and art writer, Jennie Taylor will be take place on Thursday 16 May at 6pm. Their project – in a glow of a frozen flame – explores Crawford Art Gallery’s buildings and its immediate surroundings through a printed publication populated by photographic images and flash fiction texts. 

Brian Teeling (b.1987) is an Irish multi-disciplinary artist living and working in Dublin. He has no fine art qualifications and is entirely self-taught. Recent achievements include becoming an associate artist with theatre group THISISPOPBABY (2024), an acquisition with The Arts Council of his work, Declan Flynn in Dublin (2023), and the release of his second book, Wet Dream (2023). 

Jennie Taylor (b.1985) is an art writer and educator. She has published her work in Critical Bastards Magazine, The Stinging Fly, Paper Visual Art and Visual Arts Newsletter. She was Writer in Residence at the Roscommon Arts Centre (2022-2023) and is currently a PhD researcher in Art Writing at the National College of Art & Design.

Teeling and Taylor will be joined by artist and art critic James Merrigan and writer, researcher, and editor Sara O’Brien for this event. 

TEELING AND TAYLOR: in the glow of a frozen flame, available from 16 May, is a BUILDING AS WITNESS artist project, supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under the Decade of Centenaries Programme 2012 - 2023.

Saturday 18 May, 2pm – 4pm

Sculpture Galleries

Whether you prefer a hands on approach or time to work alone, this interactive workshop also translates to a self-led activity. Navigate through our collection of sculptures and Canova casts, and take time to consider how light and shade are at play in the space!

All ages are most welcome | No experience necessary | Free, drop-in.

National Drawing Day is an initiative led by the National Gallery of Ireland.

Sunday 5 May 2024

Music at Midday returns to the iconic Sculpture Gallery at the Crawford Art Gallery on Sunday 5 May with a triple-bill of chamber music delights. Mentored by Emma Neal and Christopher Marwood, the Gliondar, Elm and Gealach Quartets from MTU Cork School of Music will perform a kaleidoscope of works by Haydn, Beethoven, Mozart and Shostakovich.