Local artists invited to submit applications for 2025 award
Luan Gallery is inviting Westmeath professional visual artists to submit applications for consideration for the Westmeath Artists Award 2025.
The award is a collaboration between Luan Gallery and Westmeath Arts Office to celebrate, showcase, and support the development of Westmeath visual artists’ practices and careers, and strengthen Westmeath’s artistic community. It is funded by the Arts Council of Ireland.
Luan Gallery invites submissions from professional practising visual artists residing in, or originally from, Westmeath, working in any medium within the field of visual art, to submit work for consideration for inclusion in the Westmeath Artists Award Exhibition, which will take place from late November 2025 to early February 2026.
The exhibition will feature work selected from the applications by guest curator Miguel Amado, director, Sirius Arts Centre, Cobh, County Cork, who said: “I am honoured to have been invited by Luan Gallery to serve as the selector for the 2025 Westmeath Artists Awards. It is exciting to be part of an initiative that supports the professional development of artists, which is a fundamental aspect of my current curatorial output.
“I have always been interested in art created outside cultural centres, as it has the potential to challenge established ideas and imagery. Engaging with practitioners from or based in County Westmeath is a fascinating and rewarding opportunity.
“The excellence of recent iterations of this initiative has set a high standard for the work I will undertake this year. I am dedicated to applying my expertise and skills to uphold this quality. I look forward to contributing to another successful edition of the Westmeath Artists’ Awards.”
Launch in 2022
Since its launch in 2022, the award has gained considerable popularity among the visual arts community and the wider public. It offers a unique and valuable platform for practising visual artists to present their work, gain exposure, and engage with curators and new audiences.
Carmel Duffy, manager of Luan Gallery, said: “By combining resources, expertise, and a shared vision for the future of the arts, this partnership demonstrates a strong commitment to fostering the visual arts at a local level. The award highlights the diversity and richness of artistic talent in the county, and plays a key role in encouraging emerging voices and supporting practising visual artists at various stages of their careers.
“We are proud of the impact this initiative has had to date and remain committed to its continued success, and we look forward to uncovering more outstanding and emerging talents through this year’s application and selection process. It is through initiatives like this that we continue to build a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable arts ecosystem in Westmeath.”
Each exhibiting artist will receive a fee of €500. Each exhibiting artist will be considered for the Westmeath Artists Award, and one artist, selected by the guest curator, will be awarded the overall Westmeath Artists Award, which comprises a solo exhibition in Luan Gallery, a bursary of €1,500, a residency in Abbey Road Artists Studios, a studio visit with the guest curator, and other networking and PR opportunities.
In addition, up to three artists will be shortlisted to receive a studio visit from the guest curator.
Laura McCormack, acting arts officer for Westmeath, said: “The Westmeath Artists Award offers local artists the hugely valuable opportunity to exhibit their work in the award-winning Luan Gallery, and feature in its dynamic annual programme of contemporary Irish and international art.
"The award has, for several years, showcased the best of Westmeath’s visual art. We are looking forward to seeing the selected works on display this December as we continue to celebrate local talent.”
All eligible artists must submit a completed application accessible on the athloneartsandtourism.ie website no later than midday on Wednesday October 1, 2025.
For further information on the application process, visit athloneartsandtourism.ie or contact Luan Gallery on Tel: 090 6442154 or email info@luangallery.ie.