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A new exhibition featuring the work of five female artists has opened at Newry Library. The show marks the first collaboration for the group, who met while attending Nigel Whiteside's art classes at the SRC.
The exhibition brings together the work of Karen Porter, Rosemary Taylor, Yvonne Houghton, Moninna Birch and Gillian Rodgers, who come from Newry, Dundalk and Carlingford. Having recognised a shared passion for creativity in Whiteside's classes, the group decided to exhibit together, with each artist bringing her own distinct style to the show and that's what makes the exhibition so special.
Photograph: Columba O’Hare/ Newry.ie
Karen Porter's contribution ranges from landscapes to intimate still lifes, moving between vibrant colour and more muted, atmospheric tones. Rosemary Taylor, who draws inspiration from the great masters, focuses on drawing and painting with a particular interest in portraiture and figurative work, marked by rich colour and tonal depth.
Yvonne Houghton's collection, One Road, One Summer, takes in hedgerows, fields and wide skies, encouraging viewers to find something extraordinary in ordinary landscapes. Moninna Birch's work turns everyday moments, familiar objects and beloved companions into vibrant, warm paintings, while Gillian Rodger's pieces embrace bold colour and dynamic composition, drawing on people, places and nature.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Houghton said: "We wanted to exhibit together. We just knew we could create a vibrant exhibition with the broadest range of styles and subjects. Luckily, Newry Library was able to accommodate us, and fate made it happen."
Although this is the group's first exhibition, the artists intend for it to be the beginning of an ongoing collaboration, with further exhibitions planned. They hope the wider community will continue to support the collective as it develops.
The exhibition can be viewed at Newry Library from now until 25 July 2026 during normal library opening hours.
