Seen-Unseen 2026

Friday, 12 June
14:00 – 16:00
In-person and online
Highlanes Gallery, Drogheda, County Louth, A92 F7PH

Seen-Unseen is an art project led by artist Clare McLaughlin for and with people who are visually impaired. 

We are delighted to collaborate with Clare to host a guided visit of the exhibition TO LAND: Living Roots Awakenat the Highlanes Gallery, Drogheda, County Louth.

Drawing from the rich collection of Crawford Art Gallery’s contemporary artworks, the exhibition explores how identity is shaped by our relationship with land, history, and memory.Exhibiting artist Fiona Kelly will meet the group for a relaxed chat about her artwork. 

This event free of charge, but booking is essential. Attendees can join the group in-person or online.

No previous knowledge or particular art experience is necessary.

To book a place, email claremclaughlinemail@gmail.com
or, send a voice note, text or whatsapp to 00353863091653

Crawford Art Gallery has collaborated with Clare and visually impaired participants since 2014 – with a range of art encounters and tactile visits. Clare’s collaborative work explores the haptic or sensory experience of art.

You can listen to Clare McLaughlin talking about Seen-Unseen visits by clicking here.

For information on the exhibition TO LAND: Living Roots Awaken, visit here.

Set Sail and Create: Cruinniú Children’s Workshops

Saturday 6 June
3–5 years, 12 noon
6–10 years, 2pm
Cork City Library

Anchors Aweigh! For Cruinniú na nÓg, we’re excited to host two children’s workshops with a playful maritime theme at the Cork City Library! Inspired by artworks from Crawford Art Gallery’s collection which explore Cork’s rich maritime history and books in the library on similar themes, this imaginative session will allow children to create their own ships using recycled materials.

This event is free, but booking is required. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Cnanog and library logos

Interpreting Cork Maritime History and Culture Across Two Collections

Cork Public Museum (T12V0AA)

Friday 5 June, 1pm

For Cork Harbour Festival, we are delighted to announce a special collaborative event between Crawford Art Gallery and Cork Public Museum exploring maritime themes across both collections.

Join us to chat about selected artworks and objects which explore Cork’s rich maritime history.

The event will take place at Cork Public Museum and will last approximately 45 to 60 minutes.

Open to all.

Cork Harbour Festival 2026
Cork Public Museum logo

Bealtaine Festival

May 2026

Bealtaine is Ireland’s national festival celebrating the arts and ageing led by Age & Opportunity.

Crawford Art Gallery is delighted to participate with creative workshops for people with memory loss. These take place at St Finbarr’s Hospital, Bessboro Day Centre Cork and the McAuley Centre in Midleton in partnership with the Alzheimer Society Ireland. See here.

Lonradh is the gallery's dedicated art programme for older adults experiencing memory loss, their families and carers. 

‘Lonradh’ is an Irish word, which means to illuminate, (it is pronounced Lun-rah). 

This programme offers gentle, open-ended art sessions led by Artist Facilitators Gillian Cussen and Inge Van Doorslaer.

Gillian and Inge focus on the sharing of experience in the moment 

For more information on the gallery’s Lonradh programme see https://crawfordartgallery.ie/lonradh/

Contact person for the Lonradh Programme:
Emma 021 427 3697
emmaklemencic@crawfordartgallery.ie

Bealtaine logo
Altzheimers Society of Ireland logo

Bealtaine Festival: Making Meaning in a Lifetime

May 2026

Throughout May the Micro Gallery at 46 Grand Parade will highlight the creative lives of older disabled artists.

Passers-by can view a selection of new artwork weekly by Crawford Supported Studio members – visible from the street – as part of Bealtaine, Ireland’s national festival celebrating arts and ageing. 

Together, these works speak to making, meaning and creativity across a lifetime — affirming that art is not defined by age or ability, but by expression, commitment, and the freedom to be seen. 

Link to the Crawford Supported Studios website.

Bealtaine logo
Cork City Council logo
MTU logo

Nicola Moran: Midleton Arts Festival

15 - 24 May 2026

Nicola Moran is a disabled artist from East Cork and a member of Crawford Supported Studios. See Nicola’s drawings screen printed on repurposed fabric bags as part of MAF Shop Front Gallery at Bitesize, Peach Vintage & Zumi. Nicola draws curious character in pen; these pattern the pages of her notebooks with playful variations of shape and colour. To find out more about the Midleton Arts Festival, visit here.

Midleton Arts Festival logo

Meet the Artist – Rosaleen Moore

Wednesday 22 April, 11am–12.30pm
LHQ Gallery, Library Building,
Carrigrohane Road, T12 K335

As part of the Cork Lifelong Learning Festival there will be an opportunity toMeet the Artists of Crawford Supported Studios.

Meet the artist Rosaleen Moore, who will outline her memory-palace approach to drawing, inviting participants to draw a special place from memory or a photograph.

Suitable for all ages and abilities.

Drop in event/ No booking required.

For further information contact: emmaklemencic@crawfordartgallery.ie

Crawford Supported Studios is a collaborative project anchored by MTU Crawford College of Art & Design and Crawford Art Gallery, with support from Cork City Council.

Various organisational logos displayed horizontally.

Access information

Getting there
The LHQ Gallery is located at the Library Building on Carrigrohane Road in Cork  (T12 K335). 
It is accessible on foot and by public transport, with city buses servicing the Western Road/Cork County Hall area. 

Options include buses traveling towards Cork University Hospital (CUH), Munster Technological University (MTU), or Ballincollig (Buses 205, 208, 220) which pass near the area. 

Parking
Free parking onsite 
Disabled parking space directly in front of building and more parking spaces behind the building

Wheelchair access 
The venue is wheelchair accessible, and there are lifts to each floor
The entrance to the venue has an automatic door

Accessible toilet
The venue has toilets
Disabled Toilet on each floor

Quiet space
Quiet space and seating available in onsite library

Relaxed exhibition space
You may come and go as you please, move around and talk in the exhibition space

Contact
If you have questions about accessibility, please contact arts@corkcoco.ie
Arts Service main line: +353 21 434 6210

This is Ireland

6 March – 15 May 2026
LHQ Gallery

Crawford Supported Studios and Cork County Council’s LHQ Gallery present This is Ireland, a vibrant group exhibition of artists working within supported studio settings. Running from 6 March - 15 May 2026, the exhibition features the work of 16 disabled artists and offers a powerful perspective that challenges stereotypes.

The exhibiting artists include: Judit Bakos, Ailbhe Barrett, Angela Burchill, Yvonne Condon, David Connolly, Bríd Heffernan, Eoin O’Brion, John Keating, Mary Rose Marshall, Rosaleen Moore, Nicola Moran, Stephen Murray, Íde Ní Shúilleabháin, Tom O’Sullivan, Marie Sexton, and Katie Whelan. All have developed their practice through Crawford Supported Studios which provides a sustained creative art space through technical, artistic support, access and networks.

This is Ireland opens on Friday, 6 of March and runs until Friday, 15 May at LHQ Gallery. There will be a programme of events as part of the Lifelong Learning Festival in conjunction with this exhibition (click here for more information).

LHQ Gallery is open Monday to Friday 9am-5.30pm, except for public holidays. LHQ Gallery is managed by the Library and Arts Service at Cork County Council, supported by the Arts Council. Crawford Supported Studios is a partnership between MTU Crawford College of Art & Design and Crawford Art Gallery, with support from Cork City Council Arts Office.

Various organisational logos displayed horizontally.

Access information

Getting there
The LHQ Gallery is located at the Library Building on Carrigrohane Road in Cork  (T12 K335). 
It is accessible on foot and by public transport, with city buses servicing the Western Road/Cork County Hall area. 

Options include buses traveling towards Cork University Hospital (CUH), Munster Technological University (MTU), or Ballincollig (Buses 205, 208, 220) which pass near the area. 

Parking
Free parking onsite 
Disabled parking space directly in front of building and more parking spaces behind the building

Wheelchair access 
The venue is wheelchair accessible, and there are lifts to each floor
The entrance to the venue has an automatic door

Accessible toilet
The venue has toilets
Disabled Toilet on each floor

Quiet space
Quiet space and seating available in onsite library

Relaxed exhibition space
You may come and go as you please, move around and talk in the exhibition space

Contact
If you have questions about accessibility, please contact arts@corkcoco.ie
Arts Service main line: +353 21 434 6210

Meet the Artists – Crawford Supported Studios

Thursday 23 April, 11am – 1pm
MTU Crawford College of Art & Design,
46 Grand Parade Campus, Cork City, T12 VN56

Meet members of Crawford Supported Studios and visit their art studio. Explore an exciting selection of fresh artwork by disabled artists.

Suitable for all ages and abilities.

Drop in event/ No booking required.

For further information contact: emmaklemencic@crawfordartgallery.ie

Crawford Supported Studios is a collaborative project anchored by MTU Crawford College of Art & Design and Crawford Art Gallery, with support from Cork City Council.

Various organisational logos displayed horizontally.

Interpreting Nature Across 2 Collections: Crawford Art Gallery and Cork Public Museum

Friday 24 April, 1pm
Cork Public Museum (T12V0AA)

For Cork Lifelong Learning Festival, we are delighted to announce a collaboration between Crawford Art Gallery and Cork Public Museum, bringing you a special talk exploring both collections.

Join Mera Kamar and Dara McGrath from Cork Public Museum, and Chloé Griffin from Crawford Art Gallery as they examine selected artworks and objects from each collection, exploring how representations of nature appear across both.

The talk is free to attend, but spaces must be reserved through Eventbrite.

Cork Public Museum logo

Drawing Day 2026: Children’s Still Life Drawing Workshops

Cork Public Museum

Saturday 16 May
10:30–11:30 for 3–5 year olds 
12:00–13:00 for 6–10 year olds

This year for National Drawing Day, Crawford Art Gallery and Cork Public Museum are teaming up to offer workshops for children aged 3-5 years and 6-10 years.

Join artist Queenie O’Sullivan as we explore works from both collections. Children will create their own still life drawings, inspired by artworks and objects with themes of food.

Please note Children must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the workshop. All materials provided.

This event is free, but booking is required. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

BOOKING

Drawing Day logo
Cork Public Museum Logo

Drawing Day 2026: Adults Drawing Workshop

Lord Mayor’s Pavillion, Fitzgerald’s Park

Saturday 16 May
Group One: 10am–11am
Group Two: 11:15am–12:15pm

Join artist Avril O’Brien for a special National Drawing Day workshop at Fitzgerald’s Park in collaboration with Sample-Studios!

The workshop takes place in the Sample-Studios Gallery at Lord Mayor’s Pavilion as they host House of Memory, a solo exhibition by Gibson Travelling Fellowship Award recipient Basil Al-Rawi. During the session, participants will view works by previous Gibson Bequest Scholarship winners and create their own drawing responses.

Avril will guide participants through techniques for observing and responding to artworks through drawing, with a focus on close looking and experimentation.

Open to young adults and adults of all levels, this relaxed workshop is ideal for anyone interested in drawing, whether experienced or simply curious to try something new. This event is free, but places are limited, booking in advance is essential. All materials will be provided. For info on our Drawing Day event for younger participants please visit our website.

To read more about the Gibson Bequest Scholarship, visit here

BOOKING

Drawing Day Log 2026
Sample STudios logo

PAINT THE SPRING: Children’s Nature Printing Workshops

Cork Public Museum, Fitzgerald's Park, Mardyke, Cork, T12 V0AA
Saturday 31 January
3–5 years, 11:00am–12:00
6–10 years, 13:00–14:00

We are delighted to be hosted by the Cork Public Museum at Fitzgerald’s Park for two special nature themed workshops! Drawing on Imbolc, the traditional celebration marking the arrival of spring, children are invited to celebrate Brigid’s Weekend through a hands-on nature printing workshop. Inspired by artworks from Crawford Art Gallery’s collection that explore themes of nature, this creative session encourages young participants to experiment with printmaking techniques using organic materials. Guided by artist Amal Hope, children may work with leaves, flowers, plants, and other natural materials to create their own unique prints.

This event is free, but booking is required. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Book through Eventbrite by clicking on the links below:

Seen - Unseen

Saturday 21 February
2.30pm
In-person and online

Seen-Unseen is an art project led by artist Clare McLaughlin for and with people who are visually impaired. 

We are delighted to collaborate with Clare to host a guided visit of the exhibition Constellations: Selected Work from Crawford Art Gallery  at the F.E. Mc William Gallery in Banbridge, County Down. Constellations showcases artwork by contemporary Irish artists held in the national collection and exhibiting artist Laura Fitzgerald will meet the group for a relaxed chat about her artwork. 

This event free of charge, but booking is essential. Attendees can join the group in-person or online.

No previous knowledge or particular art experience is necessary.

To book a place, email claremclaughlinemail@gmail.com
or, send a voice note, text or whatsapp to 00353863091653

Crawford Art Gallery has collaborated with Clare and visually impaired participants since 2014 – with a range of art encounters and tactile visits. Clare’s collaborative work explores the haptic or sensory experience of art.

You can listen to Clare McLaughlin talking about Seen-Unseen visits by clicking here.

For information on the exhibition Constellations: Selected Work from Crawford Art Gallery click here.