Opening reception saturday 14 june 12-2pm
Award-winning visual artist Jane Hayes creates innovative, research-driven work for early-years audiences—children aged 0-6—and their families. Her practice challenges the lack of gallery-based visual art experiences designed for young children, pioneering meaningful, high-quality engagement in contemporary art.
First Impressions presents new sculptural works designed specifically for early-years audiences. Blending photographic imagery with three-dimensional forms, the pieces create a dynamic interplay between 2D and 3D, offering a visually rich experience that acknowledges how young children engage with art in a multisensory way. While the work is primarily intended as a visual experience, its materiality and scale invite close looking, curiosity, and an intuitive response. Rooted in young children’s innate connection to nature, the exhibition draws inspiration from the family nature walk—an experience of discovery, wonder, and shared moments.
This exhibition marks a key stage in a broader project led by Jane Hayes to set new standards for early-years engagement in visual art. Through technical excellence, feedback-driven development, and capacity-building for artists, she is reshaping how young children and their families experience art in gallery spaces.
Supported by The Arts Council of Ireland, Cork City Council and Sample-Studios, First Impressions offers a rich, immersive environment where young audiences can explore, discover, and engage with art in a beautiful and accessible way.