Welcome to IrishWatercolours.com - site on the way. In the meantime have a look at the at the 155th Exhibition of the Water Colour Society of Ireland, open to the public at the Concourse Arts Centre, Dun Laoghaire County Hall, Co. Dublin, from Monday 28 September until Saturday 10 October 2009.

R.Kerr - Walk by Roundwood Lakes Les Jones ARUA - View over St Mark's from Camponile V.Lambe - Billy Goat T.King - Reen Quay West Cork

The over 100 watercolourists showing at this year’s exhibition include many leading Irish contemporary artists from various parts of the country and overseas, among them Royal Hibernian and Royal Ulster Academicians, who are also members of the Society.

There will be an abundance of fine watercolours at this 155th exhibition, which will present a diversity of work with each exhibitor showing one or more works selected from members’ submissions. About 300 paintings in watercolour, gouache and pastels, as well as drawings and prints, will be on offer at some very affordable prices for top quality art, thus providing an excellent investment option for the future.

An immense variety of styles and subjects, from the representational to the contemporary and abstract are also to be found at this exhibition, Ireland’s biggest watercolour event as well as one of the country’s largest annual group shows.

Landscapes, seascapes, still life, animal and floral studies, as well as botanical and architectural works will feature, together with portraits and nudes, in both figurative and abstract treatments. Prices will range from about €250 for a small etching up to several thousand, with many around the €450 - €950 mark.

A painting by the well-known watercolourist Brett McEntagart RHAhas been chosen for the catalogue cover this year. The president of the Water Colour Society of Ireland, Vincent Lambe, has very kindly donated a Still Life in watercolour for the raffle (tickets available during the exhibition at €5). The draw will be held at the close of the exhibition on Saturday, October 10.

Well-known artists of the day exhibiting at the Water Colour Society’s 155th Exhibition include: Patrick Cahill, Desmond Carrick RHA, William Carron ARHA, Brid Clarke, John Coyle RHA, Chris Dearden ARUA, Berthold Dunne, James Hanley RHA, Olivia Hayes, John Keating, Patricia Jorgensen, Grania Langrishe, Nancy Larchet, Anthony Loughran, Fergal MacCabe, James Nolan RHA, Terence O’Connell, Tom Roche, Susan Sex, Neil Shawcross RUA, Tom Ryan PPRHA and the Society’s president, Vincent Lambe.

Nine Awards, including the Society sponsored President’s Prize, will be presented to exhibitors in recognition of distinctive work again this year. These will be chosen by the various sponsors and awarded at the official opening on Sunday 27 September.

A Studio Morning open to the public with watercolour demonstrations by exhibiting members Pauline Doyle ANCA, Ivor Coburn ARUA and Les Jones ARUA, will be held on Saturday 3rd October, 11am to 1pm. The Studio Morning is free.  

The Water Colour Society of Ireland’s 155th Exhibition is open admission free to the public, daily (Monday 28 September – Saturday 10 October) from 10am – 5pm, including Sunday. The exhibition closes on Saturday 10 October at the earlier time of 1.00pm.