Kildare County Council Unveils Landmark Exhibition Showcasing 15 Years of Emerging Visual Art in County Kildare
Kildare County Council’s Arts Service, in partnership with and the Riverbank Arts Centre are proud to present Pattern Recognition: Architectures of Seeing, a milestone exhibition celebrating fifteen years of the Emerging Visual Artist Solo Exhibition Bursary Award. Curated by Paula Barrett, this dynamic group exhibition brings together the work of fifteen artists whose practices have shaped the visual arts landscape of County Kildare. The exhibition opened on Saturday, 1 November and continues through Tuesday, 23 December at the McKenna Gallery, Riverbank Arts Centre.
Pattern Recognition invites audiences to reconsider on the way we perceive and interpret the world. The exhibition spans a wide range of media and perspectives, presenting work by Martina McDonald, Noel Hensey, Brian Cregan, Mary-Jo Gilligan, Isobel Egan, Denis Kelly, Marta Golubowska, Brenda Kearney, Michelle McBride, Caoimhe McGuckin, Shane Hynan, Katie Whyte, Gavin Casey, Kym Tracey, and Fiyin Oluokun.
At the opening, Sonya Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Kildare County Council, remarked: “This exhibition is more than a showcase of artistic talent - it is a testament to the enduring partnership between Kildare County Council Arts Service and Riverbank Arts Centre, and to our shared commitment to supporting emerging artists in County Kildare.”
Upcoming Events:
- Kildare Artists Lightning Talks & Q & A
Tuesday, 18 November 2025 | 7pm – 9pm
Experience fast-paced presentations as participating artists share insights into their work through performance, storytelling, and visual formats. The evening concludes with a Q & A session, offering audiences the chance to engage directly with the artists. - Under The Banner Of: An Invitation to Gather, Reflect, and Converse
Facilitated by Mary-Jo Gilligan
This participatory event invites attendees to explore values, ideas, and shared experiences in a relaxed setting. Drawing from relational aesthetics, the gathering transforms conversation into art—where meaning is made through connection.
About the Bursary Award:
Since 2010, the Emerging Visual Artist Solo Exhibition Bursary Award has supported fifteen artists in presenting their first major solo exhibitions. The award provides financial support, curatorial guidance, and technical expertise, fostering a vibrant and diverse visual arts culture in County Kildare.
