It is always a pleasure to exhibit as part of the Loughside Art Club.
This was the first artist group I joined and I am still with them today as we care and support each other.
This year we are exhibiting in Millennium Court in Portadown.
Over 50 artworks by 9 different members of our group.
The exhibition runs from Sat 17/1/26 until Fri 20/3/26

This group was only recently founded in 2019, with their aim being to provide friendship through their mutual interest in art.
This exhibition will be made up of an eclectic collection of the various mediums and subject matter that they have learned over the last few years.
The mediums in this exhibition include: Pencil, charcoal, pastels, watercolour, acrylic, airbrushing, oils and Indian Ink.

Through their collective work, the group aims to encourage others to find their joy in art!

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council proudly announces the opening of Source to Settlement, an inspiring group exhibition by the Shore Collective at Enniskillen Castle. This showcase celebrates Fermanagh’s landscapes and waterways through an eclectic mix of paintings, textiles, poems, pendants, sculptures, and film.
Tracing the journey of water from the hidden limestone channels of the Marble Arch Caves to the open waters of Lough Erne, the exhibition explores themes of flow, stillness, and connection. Visitors will encounter art inspired by iconic locations such as the sites and monuments at Devenish Island and Boa Island, to works responding to more recent attractions including The Ardhowen Theatre.
Councillor Thomas O’Reilly, Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee, said:“This exhibition is a wonderful example of how art connects us to our heritage and environment. It’s a privilege to celebrate the creativity and collaboration that brought this project to life. Our appreciation to Arlene Marks for her organisation, enthusiasm and collaborative skills in bringing this exhibition to fruition.”
Arlene Marks, Exhibition Coordinator, commented:“Contemporary art offers diverse viewpoints, exploring themes of identity, heritage, and representation. This exhibition brings personal perspectives into a shared space, encouraging dialogue and connection.”
Noelle McAlinden, Creative Advisor and Guest Speaker, added:“This is not only a celebration of artistic talent but of the evolving landscapes and waterways that inspire us. The title resonates almost like a metaphor for life – our source, our journey, and how we navigate challenges and opportunities along the way.”
Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is proud to support local artists and foster collaboration across districts, ensuring that creativity thrives and communities are enriched through cultural engagement.
Source to Settlement invites audiences to reflect on the physical and human stories of place, memory, and movement. Exhibition continues until 21 March 2026, Normal admission rates apply.

Group exhibition by the Shore Collective at Strule Art Centre in Omagh.

Thursday 2nd October - Saturday 25th October 2025

The exhibition is based on the rivers that make up the Strule River that runs through Omagh.
This is my first time exhibiting in The Strule Art Centre.
The exhibition again is a beautiful collection of different styles and mediums, all following the same brief.
Forming a collection that has a flow, excuse the pun.

So as a new member of USWA this was my first exhibition with the Society.
Lasting 2 weeks and getting a good footfall from people visiting Belfast.
I am pleased to say, I sold a painting, which is wonderful.
Th exhibition opening had a buzz and even sitting with the exhibition throughout the week was a lovely chance to meet people and other members.

Every year the society opens up for a chance to take in new members.
The artist submits 4 pieces of artwork.
Recommended that all are of a similar high standard.
Similar theme, size and framing to show consistency. 

4TH time lucky.
Which just goes to show, not to give up at the first hurdle.

What this means for me.
Every year I get to exhibit along side some of Northern Ireland's most talented artists. A community that can show support for each other.
To be a part of a long-established organisation (1957).

I have been asked for the second year to select a piece of Art for the AE Russell award at this year's Royal Ulster Academy show in the Ulster Museum.

I have studied the Art work of George Russell and know a great deal about him as a person as well as a creative artist. So when selecting a piece I take in many different aspects from subject matter. The Artist's relationship to the land and other people. Their technical ability, such as use of colour and composition.

This year I selected Rosie McGurran RUA
for her painting called Solstice, Inishlacken.

The first photo is of the President Dan Dowling and myself.
Second photo is of Rosie's winning painting.
Third is of Michael McKernan and Brigit McGibbon from the AE Russell society, Rosie McGurran and her brother Phil McGurran who is also sponsoring the Photography prize.

Other photos include Rosie receiving her award.
A mixed media collage by Sean Hillen, who is the pictured with Michael McKernan on Opening night.
A picture of Dan Dowling's artwork, In Queen Mary's Garden.
Followed by Martin Mooney's landscape of Ballynakill Lough.
Next we have Brigit and Michael beside an original AE that is in the Ulster Museum .
Colin Davidson, a personal favourite.
The blue and red painting is called The Resonance of Oseberg by Carol Graham, who was last year's selected winner.
Lastly a picture of Carol with Rosie together.

Being Blue, being Green was our theme for this exhibition.
After a discussion about the environmental impact that is happening to Lough Neagh.

20 artists from the collective took part, creating a total of 53 pieces including, paintings, ceramics, glass work, textiles, videos and a performance on the opening night.

Other artists include Eimear Harkin, Riona Kearns, Zara Lyness, Louise Lennon, Ciara Campbell, Ciaran Maginnis, Kelly McCluskey, Joanna Breen, Carol Willey, Dwyer McKerr, Gwen Stevenson, Dermot Burns, Nuala Monaghan, Sandra Turley, Maurice Burns, Shaun Fizpatrick, Julie McGowan Paul King, Kathryn Nelson.

This is a beautiful venue with loads of natural light. displays over two floors. this room was used in a wedding service.
With beautiful gardens and cafe this makes a lovely day out in Antrim Castle Grounds.

The Exhibition ran from Thursday 12th September until Friday 18th October 2024.

Her Head is not in this World.
This year's theme was PAUSE, taking time to look after yourself and reflect. An open call was put out for submissions in March.
As my abstract paintings are based on neurodiverse minds and sensory images to calm them, I felt this was a perfect fit.
Exhibiting along side 15 talented artists, this exhibtion will be on display from Saturday 18th May until 28th June.
Displaced in the Millenium Court, Portadown. Opened by Noelle McAlinden.

What I love about group exhibitiohns are, you get to meet other artists, learn about their practices and stories. Support and encourage each other. It is a warm and supportive community.

This year Loughside Art club exhibited in the large gallery space of the Millenium Court in our local town of Portadown. The exhibition was open to the public on Saturday 20th April at 2pm, a large crowd attended with music sang by the Fox Twins.

Loughside members who exhibited are Arlene Marks, Caroline Toman, Dionne Houston, Audrey Carroll, Ursula Leighton, Stephen Patterson, Eddie O'Hara and Gavin Fox.

This was my first paint along class of 2024.
I have done many of these now for various charities, and they are so much fun.
I got to meet some amazing women from Knitted Knockers of Northern Ireland, based in Brownlow House Courtyard.
These women had the challenge of painting this scene of Lurgan park, a place which was just a few meters away.

The reference was found on a facebook site called Friends Of Lurgan Park. From there I spotted this photograph. I liked the tree and its reflection. It has a sweeping curve of the railing to led your eye into the painting while also showing perspective. I printed out a colour and a black and white version for everyone. That way they can look at colour constrast. Light and dark. Basic shapes before thinking about the colours to use.
Photographer is James Keelips a keen photographer of garden birds.

The set up is simple. Plates as palettes, paper cups to clean brushes and delute paint. Kitchen roll to share out and a few of my favouite paints bought from The Range. Brushes and canvases were provided by the club but I did have my own set with me. As I said, I have have done many of these now. The club did provide the easels, which is lovely to see them all on display at the end.

By following my step by step direction on how to draw out and what order to apply the paint we had a great base layer down by the first hour. Then stopped for a cuppa and a chat, before jumping into the detail and finishing it off. Now bad for 2 hours of painting.

To keep things fun, I like to do some warm up sketching games. Nothing too serious. Then after our tea break I play another game to gather everyone back to their seat. This one is on Art History, famous Art or not? Like a last man standing game. These 2 super star pupils won for best sketch and last man standing knowledge round.

Future Paint and Sip classes will be held here at
AEON Community Arts.
46 Church Place Lurgan