Uillinn calls for submissions to arts centre's anniversary exhibition

Cork artists are invited to submit to an anniversary edition Members and Friends Exhibition at West Cork Arts Centre, which has also introduced a number of special anniversary awards this year.

West Cork Arts Centre is preparing to mark a major cultural milestone later this month, celebrating 40 years since its foundation and 10 years since the opening of its purpose-built home, Uillinn, in the heart of Skibbereen.

To mark the occasion, the Centre will host its largest Members and Friends Exhibition to date, opening on Saturday 31 May and running until Thursday 3 July.

This year’s Members and Friends Exhibition, titled Uillinn / Angle, invites artists to explore the concept of perspective, both literal and conceptual, and how differing angles influence how we see and interpret the world.

This theme reflects Uillinn’s ongoing commitment to embracing diverse viewpoints, encouraging creativity, and harnessing meaningful connections between art and community.

Open to all current Members and Friends of West Cork Arts Centre, the exhibition is drawing submissions from painters, sculptors, printmakers, and installation artists.

This year also sees a focus on outdoor works for the Centre’s courtyard, along with a designated drop-off point at the Sarah Walker Gallery in Castletownbere to support artists in the Beara region who wish to take part in the exhibition.

The historic centre was founded in 1985 by a group of dedicated artists and community members. West Cork Arts Centre began as a grassroots initiative to support and showcase local creativity, and the centre grew steadily from a small, volunteer-led organisation to one of Ireland’s most respected regional arts centres.

In 2015, after years of planning and development, the centre opened the doors to its purpose-built home, Uillinn, in the heart of Skibbereen.

Since then, it has become a vital cultural hub for Cork, supporting artists at every stage of their careers and engaging the wider community through exhibitions, residencies, education, and outreach.

As part of the anniversary celebration taking place this year, the Centre has introduced a number of special anniversary awards that recognise excellence and offer support to artists.

These include the Morgan O’Driscoll Award, a €2,000 cash prize for a work of distinction; 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, with visitor votes considered by the jury when determining the winners.

Ann Davoren, director of Uillinn, West Cork Arts Centre for the past 20 years, said that this was a very significant year: “To see West Cork Arts Centre grow from a grassroots initiative to a place that now supports artists, inspires the community, and presents ambitious, world-class programming is incredibly rewarding.

“This exhibition is a celebration of everything and everyone that has come before us —from the artists and audiences to our partners, funders, and dedicated team. It’s also a statement of intent for the future.

She added: “The inclusion of the public voice in our awards process is especially meaningful, reflecting who we are and why we exist.”