Congratulations Maitiú Mac Cárthaigh on receiving the Cork County Council Emerging Visual Artist Award! Maitiú will receive a bursary to support their work and a solo exhibition in Cork County Council’s LHQ Gallery in 2026. Maitiú’s work reflects on their experience of growing up Queer in a rural, agricultural community in West Cork. Through the work they will develop with this award, they seek to challenge the assumed association of Queer identity exclusively with the urban environment. ‘Sample-Studios staff have been an invaluable source of support since I joined in 2024. Their professional, practice-focused training and opportunities have made my practice more sustainable and fell less adrift. They’re also a good laugh!’
Congratulations to Ben Reilly and Sophie Longwill who each received a Morgan O’Driscoll Fine Art Auctioneers Award for their work in the Uillinn: West Cork Arts Centre Annual Members and Friends Exhibition. This is an award of €1,000 to recognise work of distinction. Ben and Sophie were selected by a jury from Uillinn, Blue House Gallery, Cnoc Buí Arts Centre, and Working Artist Studios. We couldn’t be more proud of Ben and Sophie!