GMIT art students hold Graduate Show in city's Printworks, opening Culture Night

Tuesday, September 15, 2020 Press Office
Press Release

Onsite show will be complemented by virtual exhibition on www.gmit.ie/showcase

Final year Contemporary Art students from GMIT’s Cluain Mhuire campus will hold their graduate art show in the Galway city centre Connacht Tribune Printworks (Market St) this year with the event formally opened by GMIT President Dr Orla Flynn on Culture Night, Friday 18 September at 7pm

The exhibition, titled “Not a Degree Show”, will comprise the work of 20 students in art disciplines ranging from painting, print and photography and other 2-D work to ceramics, sculpture and digital media. The event will be run in compliance with public health guidelines with limited numbers attending and face coverings mandatory.

The show will run from Friday 18 September (2 to 10pm) to Sunday 27 September (10am to 7pm daily). This year’s exhibition is supported by The Arts Council and Galway City Council through fund-raising efforts of students on the programme.

In addition to this onsite exhibition, there will be a virtual exhibition by students on the Bachelor of Arts in Design which will also include some of the work on exhibit in the Printworks venue. This will also be launched on www.gmit.ie/showcase on Friday, 18 September.  The virtual show will feature a gallery of artwork by 39 students showcasing design and contemporary 2D & 3D artwork. The online platform has been developed by student Michael Joyce under the direction of lecturer Manus Burke.

Dr Orla Flynn, President of GMIT, says: “I’m thrilled to be invited to open this exhibition - Culture Night provides a vibrant opportunity to connect with the arts community in a very real way. Presented both physically and virtually, “Not a Degree Show” offers a glimpse into the hybrid nature of our lives in recent months – the very title of the show signals a year that was interrupted, but not lost, for our graduating students. This event also flags the strong contribution of GMIT students, staff and graduates to the busy calendar of arts activities in the region”.

Celine Curtin, Head of the GMIT Centre for Creative Arts & Media (CCAM) says: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to celebrate the work of our students. During these difficult times this exhibition of creative works provides a salve for the soul and mind. I would like to congratulate all involved.”

Final year student Sona Smedkova says “Once upon a time there was a real-life fairy. One day the fairy got super annoyed because her degree show was taken away from her. She used all her magic powers! She put extra fuel in her magic wings and flew from Wicklow mountains all the way to Galway to ask four others to curate their own show. Let me thank you for being so driven Naoise Sheridan, and also picking me to do this with you, Rachel Byrne, Paul Cluskey and Colin O'Reilly”.

For further information about courses in the GMIT School of Design and Creative Arts, see: https://www.gmit.ie/creative-arts-and-media/school-design-and-creative-arts 

ENDS

Issued by Regina Daly, GMIT Communications & Press Officer, GMIT, Dublin Road, Galway.
Tel 091-742826/0879618355 (m)  regina.daly@gmit.ie   www.gmit.ie/news

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