Call for submissions for Westmeath Artists Award 2024

Athlone's Luan Gallery is inviting submissions for its Westmeath Artists Award 2024.

The award is a collaboration between Luan Gallery and Westmeath Arts Office, intended to celebrate, showcase, and support the development of Westmeath professional visual artists’ practices and careers with funding from the Arts Council of Ireland.

The award is open to professional practicing visual artists residing in or originally from Westmeath, working in any medium.

Proof of Westmeath residence or being from Westmeath initially will be required. Full-time students or public servants living in Westmeath are not eligible for application.

The deadline for online submissions is is 12pm on Tuesday, October 1.

Pieces submitted can be of either 2D and/or 3D artwork, but applicants must only submit examples of visual art. Luan Gallery said that, due to the nature of the award, design and craft-based practice cannot be considered.

In addition, previous award winners will not be considered for the overall award.

The overall award includes a monetary sum of €1,500, an exhibition slot in Luan Gallery exhibition’s programme, and a residency of three months in Abbey Road Artists’ Studios.

It also offers a studio visit and mentorship session with the guest curator, an opportunity to feature in a video clip/podcast highlighting their artwork and practice, as well as a profile, published on Luan Gallery’s website and social channels.

Successful applicants will be included in a group exhibition, which will take place from December 2024 to early February 2025.

The exhibition will present works from the county’s practising professional visual artists selected by guest Curator Benjamin Stafford, who is the visual arts curator at Visual, Carlow.

Each exhibiting artist will receive a stipend of €500 and will be considered for a professional development award which will be announced at the opening of the group exhibition in early December.