The Gallery Committee selects the exhibition programme through open calls several times a year.
Our current focus is on supporting local and national emerging artists. We define an emerging artist as one who is at the start of their exhibiting career in Ireland. However, we also welcome applications from established professionals.
Annual Open Calls
Solo Exhibitions
The annual programme allows the chance for nine solo exhibitions.
Applicants will be asked to present a sample of their work and a detailed motivation for their exhibition concept. All entries will be assessed by our gallery committee, all of whom are artists.
- Exhibition period is four weeks which includes time for installation and take down.
- The Gallery charges a fee for exhibitions, with a reduced commission rate of 10%.
- Proceeds from exhibitions and fundraisers go towards the Emerging Artist Fund to help provide financial assistance to future artists.
The open call for applications for the Solo Exhibition is announced, typically, in June of each year. Details will be posted on the Yeats Society Sligo website and on social media.
IT Sligo Graduate Show
Every January, a graduate from the IT Sligo Fine Arts graduate class is awarded a solo graduate exhibition in Hyde Bridge as commendation for high performance at the end of year Award Show.
The recipient of this award is chosen by the Gallery Committee during the Award Show.
We are pleased to partner with the IT Sligo to support newly graduated artists.
Hyde Bridge Gallery does not charge fees for the Graduate Show. Commission on sold works is 50% for this show.
9 Walls Exhibition
This exhibition welcomes 9 artists to exhibit in the same space – nine artists for each of the nine walls in the exhibition space.
The 9 Walls exhibition runs for 4 weeks every November. It is an ideal opportunity for younger artists or those experimenting with new form or style. There is an additional opportunity for IT Sligo graduate students to be accepted for show space in the 9 Walls Exhibition.
Artist fees for exhibition are currently €55.
The open call for 9 Walls is announced on social media and the Yeats Society website every May.
RÚN
In December 2018 Hyde Bridge ran the first secret postcard exhibition, Rún. This curated fundraiser showcased unique, small-scale works in a variety of media from emerging and established local and national artists. Featuring up to 200 artists, and roughly 450 works the show was a great success.
Artists can enter up to three artworks and are invited to be as creative as they please. Artwork is accepted in most forms including sculpture, craft or textile, provided they do not exceed standard postcard size.
There is no exhibition fee for RÚN artists.
Artworks will sell for €50, with €25 going towards the Hyde Bridge Gallery Fund. All monies raised by the selling of works go towards the Emerging Artist Fund that will provide financial assistance to future artists showing at Hyde Bridge Gallery.
Specifically, a portion of money will fund two IT Sligo Graduates to exhibit at the 9 Walls exhibition.
The open call for RÚN will be announced in September annually, details will be posted on social media and the Yeats Society website.
Information for chosen exhibitors
You will be notified within a month of the application deadline if you have been issued an exhibition at Hyde Bridge Gallery.
Upon being accepted, the chosen artists will be assigned exhibition dates and issued a contract outlining the standard procedures and insurance.
Once you contract is confirmed, you will be asked to pay your deposit of €200. Correspondence is by email, but artists are always welcome to come in for a meeting if they wish.
Installation
Artists are allowed 5 days to instal finished works before their exhibition date. Artists can hang or display their work however they wish (providing there is no lasting damage to the space). Curation support can be given upon request.
Artists are required to have:
– an artist statement
– artist bio
– detailed press release
– poster (in jpeg/PNG and PDF format)
– complete price list with clearly identified work titles (or numbers)
Opening Night
Openings are generally on a Tuesday at 5:30pm but can be rearranged if required. If required, artists may pick a person or member of the Hyde Bridge Gallery Committee to officially open their show. Invitations will be sent to our mailing list and will be advertised on the Hyde Bridge Gallery Facebook page and Instagram. Artists are also asked to supply any food, drink, or decorations they wish to have ahead of time for set-up.
