Cavan's answer to RHA exhibition to launch this weekend

“It's getting better every year, the quality of work is exceptional,” enthused Caroline Clarke of the Summer Showcase, now in its third year and hosted by Bailieborough Creative Hub.

The event has grown to become an established highlight on the local arts calendar.

The selected artworks were hung in the exhibition space at Bailieborough Library in recent days, ahead of this weekend's launch event.

The visual arts range from paintings to photography and collage from 25 different artists.

“It started off as an exhibition for local people who may not otherwise get to show their work, as part of the summer festival,” explains Caroline. “When we put the call out we got work from all over Ireland, it was absolutely amazing - Donegal, Belfast, Cork, it was from everywhere and the quality of the work was extremely good. So we decided to hold it every year and every year we are inundated with work.”

The showcase is essentially Cavan's answer to the RHA's annual exhibition where the public is invited to submit work that’s then judged for inclusion on its own merits.

The judging panel consists of Caroline and fellow showcase organiser Sally-Ann Duffy.

“We don't look at their profiles, we don't look at anything other than the face value of the work they have submitted. We try to make it as fair as possible in that sense.”

Caroline adds: “It's very hard to pick, the work, it's that good.”

The pair have found that applicants are typically amateur artists.

“We've had a couple of people who have come straight out of graduating last year, but generally they are hobby artists in the main,” says Sally-Ann.

Acknowledging how life as an aspiring solo artist is a “very hard” one, Caroline says: “People are very appreciative that we don't charge for it, we're not getting anything out of it - it's more about letting people get their artwork out there.”

The exhibition isn't primarily intended as a platform to sell work, but typically a handful of the works do get bought each year.

“We don't take any fees from the artist. We don't take any commission if they sell their work. We do this completely voluntarily because we love doing it,” says Sally-Ann.

Breakthrough

The showcase exhibition has already provided a valuable stepping stone for at least one local artist.

Juliana Gilbride had some of her work selected for the first Summer Showcase event.

“She ended up joining the Hub and this year we're helping her get her first exhibition up and running, which she would never have done otherwise. A lot of people know how to make art but they don't know how to highlight their art,” says Caroline.

“She is doing amazing work now and we're very excited to support her with her exhibition,” says Caroline, looking ahead to Juliana's first solo show in November.

“Her work is absolutely fabulous, it's very classical,” adds Sally-Ann.

Caroline says the community in Bailieborough is “very appreciative” of the chance to access art.

The Summer Showcase 2024 launch takes place in the exhibition space in Bailieborough Library on Saturday, July 20 at 2.30pm. Recently retired librarian Fiona Burke will be the special guest.