The final exhibition in the OCAP summer series was opened on Friday evening, 25th of July with a sense of great pride and a little sadness that the summer programme is drawing to a close. Great credit to the OCAP team who as usual has put together a very diverse and stimulating series of exhibitions
In Conamara UnConstrained. Geraldine presents a bold new body of work inspired by the rugged beauty and elemental power of the Conamara landscape. Working in oils, acrylics, and mixed media, her paintings move between abstract and semi-abstract forms — visceral, textural, and emotionally charged responses to place.
“I am not painting what the landscape looks like, but what it feels like to stand within it,” says Geraldine.
“This is not polite landscape painting. For me, Conamara demanded a wildness of method — a bold, unrestrained approach that mirrors the untamed nature of the place itself.”
“Connacht Call Out” was the result of a region-wide Open Call issued earlier this year to artists living and working in Connacht. The response was overwhelming, and OCAP is proud to have presented 30 selected artists whose works span a vibrant range of mediums and styles — including painting, printmaking, photography, textiles, sculpture, mixed media, and digital art. The exhibition offered a compelling mix of traditional, abstract, and contemporary subject matter, reflecting the creative diversity and energy of the West.
The Exhibiton Blás was very well received
As the title suggests, Blas – the Irish word for “taste” or “flavour” – offered a rich flavour of visual delight, drawing from nature and the vivid landscapes of the West of Ireland.
Pat Byrne, a Galway artist inspired by the sea, wildlife, and the colourful charm of Irish towns and villages, presented bold, textured oil paintings that celebrate the joy found in life’s small details. “This exhibition is a little taste of the many things I find uplifting and joyous,” says Byrne. Her previous solo shows include Colourscapes (2001) and Blue (2005) at Galway City Library, ‘Cathu’ (2006) Judy Greene Gallery, Ladybirds (2010) and ‘Print Exhibition at Babaro Fest.
Niamh Daniels, an award-winning textile print designer, brought her passion for sustainable luxury and expressive design to the gallery walls. Her work, using traditional printing techniques together with drawing, painting and photography, evolving all the time through modern experimentation – from ice dyeing to acrylic pouring and alcohol inks – has been featured in VOGUE, Irish Country Magazine, and Ireland AM. Niamh’s designs are inspired by the raw beauty of Connemara and the Atlantic coast, translated into limited-edition silk accessories and fine art prints.
This evocative exhibition launched the Oughterard Courthouse Arts Programme’s (OCAP’s) Summer Arts Season, which includes four diverse exhibitions running throughout the summer months.
The 2025 UachtarARTS exhibition is particularly special. Over the past year, the group has deepened its connection with Lough Corrib through educational experiences that have shaped the works on display. In collaboration with the Corrib Catchment Partnership, members attended a presentation titled “The Corrib and its Place in our Landscape”, learning about the lake’s environmental and cultural significance. In April, artists also took to the water with Corrib Cruises, travelling to Inchagoill Island to experience the lake from a new perspective.
With 34 participating artists, LOUGH CORRIB, Our Legacy – Ár gCroí reflects both a love for and a responsibility toward this national treasure. The exhibition featured diverse and powerful interpretations of the lake, underlining the importance of protecting its unique ecosystem.
