Aoife Banks revealed as Mayo Artists Show curator

THE Linenhall has announced visual art curator, programme coordinator and researcher, Aoife Banks, as the curator of the Mayo Artists Show 2025.

Banks’ curatorial practice is rooted in the exploration of visual, social, and political cultures through a queer, decolonial lens. She is currently the curator and programming coordinator of Luan Gallery. Previously, Banks has curated contemporary visual art exhibitions and managed public engagement programmes for galleries and cultural institutions across Ireland.

She holds a joint BA in Fine Art and Visual Culture (2018) and an MA in Visual Culture, Art in the Contemporary World (2020) from the National College of Art and Design.

Banks will visit the Linenhall after the final submission deadline of Saturday, November 22, to carefully select the work and curate the exhibition for this year's group show, which runs between the Linenhall and Ballina Arts Centre.

“We are thrilled to have Aoife on board for this year’s exhibition,” says executive director of the Linenhall, Bernadette Greenan. “Her name has been on our most-wanted list for a number of years so we are really pleased.

“We are very much looking forward to working with Aoife and the team at Ballina Arts Centre for what we know will be another stellar exhibition celebrating the high-quality of visual artists in Mayo.”

Submissions are invited at both venues from Thursday to Saturday, November 20 to 22. The associated timings for submission vary, so artists are advised to check directly with their venue of choice for specific details. Submissions are open to those aged over 18, either from or living in Mayo.

This year’s exhibition will be hosted in the Linenhall’s main Visual Arts Gallery, with Ballina Arts Centre hosting in their Concourse Gallery. Works should be no larger than 100cm in any direction, including frame. Sculptures and digital media work are accepted in the Linenhall. Ballina Arts Centre can only accept wall based two-dimensional work. If you are submitting digital media work please include information on how you plan to exhibit the piece. All work must be presented in a condition ready for exhibition.

The Mayo Artists Show will be launched on Friday, December 5, at 6 p.m. in the Linenhall and on Saturday, December 6, at 2 p.m. in Ballina Arts Centre.

Find more information on the Mayo Artists Show at each venue, via their websites www.thelinenhall.com/www.ballinaartscentre.com or by contacting the box office teams in person, or by phone on (094) 9023733 (the Linenhall) or (096) 73593 (Ballina Arts Centre).