Two vibrant days of art at Mount Congreve

Mount Congreve Gardens has unveiled the second edition of Art in the Gardens, a celebration of visual art set against the backdrop of the gardens.

On June 14 and 15,  artists and visitors can immerse themselves in a programme designed to deepen the appreciation of both visual art and the natural world.

The programme culminates each day with convivial exhibition openings, where guests can enjoy a glass of wine amid the creative ambience.

Opening on Saturday, June 14, the event will feature an inclusive Paint-out in the expanse of Mount Congreve's 70-acre gardens. 

Set amidst winding woodland paths and lawns, the plein air gathering offers the opportunity to paint alongside celebrated artists who will include Dave West, Steve Browning, Róisín Curé, Nina Rumińska and Sebastian Thommen.

Participants will display their creations to garden visitors in an open-air Exhibition on Easels, with prizes awarded to standout works. 

On the evening of June 14, the focus will shift to the Stables Café for the opening of the Paint Waterford exhibition, running from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm. 

This showcase features a diverse collection of artworks selected through an open call, inviting artists from across Ireland to interpret the varied natural beauty of County Waterford through their unique lens.

On Sunday, June 15, a series of immersive masterclasses will be offered, led by esteemed Artform mentors David Begley, Róisín Curé, Gabhann Dunne, Sinéad Lucey, and Dave West.

Adding to the weekend’s highlights, at 1 pm on June 15, Mount Congreve's Artist in Residence, Eamon Colman, will unveil his much-anticipated new body of work, In the Gardens.

Created over the course of his year-long residency, this thought-provoking installation will invite visitors into the artist’s world, offering an intimate glimpse of his reflections, process, and works inspired directly by the ever-changing moods of the gardens.

Commenting on the upcoming events, Sara Dolan, CEO of Mount Congreve Gardens, said: “We are thrilled to continue nurturing the dialogue between this extraordinary garden setting and the visual arts."