Connected Horizons: Working with Commercial Galleries (25 Nov)

Tuesday, 25 November 2025 2:00pm – 3:00pm Online (Zoom)

Connected Horizons is a cross-border programme supporting visual artists across Ireland and Northern Ireland. The series aims to open up honest and accessible conversations between artists and the organisations they aspire to work with.

This online event brings together Hillsboro Fine Art (Dublin) and ArtisAnn Gallery (Belfast) for a candid discussion on working with commercial galleries. Each gallery will present for 20 minutes, followed by a Q&A with attendees. The session will explore how relationships between artists and galleries are established, what galleries look for in potential collaborators, and how these connections can develop over time. This conversation offers valuable insight into the commercial gallery landscape across Ireland and Northern Ireland, providing artists with practical guidance and perspectives that are often difficult to access elsewhere.

Hillsboro Fine Art

Hillsboro Fine Art was established in 1995 and is located close to the Hugh Lane Gallery on Parnell Square in Dublin’s North Georgian Quarter.

The gallery has hosted first solo exhibitions in Ireland by many renowned international artists including Jannis Kounellis, Larry Poons, Gillian Ayres, Anthony Caro, Enzo Cucchi, Sandro Chia, Alex Katz, Markus Lüpertz, Robert Motherwell and numerous others. Though Hillsboro Fine Art continues to develop international links, its principal focus is on promoting Irish artists represented by the gallery; these include Eithne Jordan, Cecilia Bullo, Vivienne Dick, Orla Whelan, Kevin Mooney, Patrick Graham, John Noel Smith, Gwen O’Dowd, Peter Cleary, Jonathan Hunter, Eddie Kennedy, Claire Halpin, Eamon O’Kane, John Gibbons and Patrick Hall.

John Daly

Gallery Director John Daly has more than 25 years experience as a Visual Arts Writer, Consultant and Curator. Karl Weschke: Painting order out of chaos, his monograph on Cornwall-based German painter Karl Weschke (1925-2005), was published in June 2025 to coincide with centenary exhibitions of the artist’s work in Dublin, and a German edition of the book was produced to coincide with the artist’s retrospective at the Stadtmuseum Gera in October 2025.

Working with other art market professionals across the world, Daly has contributed to numerous publications and seminars and his advice is regularly sought by institutions, artists’ estates, private collections and auction houses. He is deeply invested in scholarship and education and is a Member of the Institute of Art & Law, a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute and is current Chair of the Contemporary Art Gallery Association (CAGA).

ArtisAnn Gallery

ArtisAnn is a friendly modern art gallery based on Bloomfield Avenue in Belfast selling unique artworks, from established and emerging artists. Occupying two floors, with themed exhibitions on the first floor, and a wide range of amazing artworks downstairs, you will find the art that you love here. The 10 themed exhibitions per year include solo and group shows, with annual shows for Recent Graduates, in September, NI Science Festival, in Feb, and a show by the winner of the ArtisAnn Gallery Prize at the Royal Ulster Academy. We have a fuss-free atmosphere, and offers a friendly, knowledgeable service to suit every art lover, whether it is for home, business or for a special occasion.

 Ann McVeigh and Ken Bartley

Ann McVeigh and Ken Bartley, who own the gallery, are no strangers to the art world, having been involved in the scene for over thirty years, during which time they have curated a wide range of exhibitions, including ‘Young Female Artists from NI‘ exhibition in London, ‘Hands of History + 20’ which was shown at the Victoria Gallery & Museum, Liverpool, and as part of the Good Friday commemorations in Belfast. Ann and Ken have also organised shows at the EastSide Gallery, ArtTank, the LinenHall, the Golden Thread Gallery as well as organising other events, and exhibiting their own work.

WEBINARS and ONLINE EVENTS: We use Zoom to host our online events. The following text should be followed and tested before registering for a Cafe or Help Desk Event. Zoom has an excellent Help Desk service if you are experiencing problems.

You will be emailed a link to the event in the confirmation email you receive after you have registered.

VAI DISCLAIMER: the information provided in this webinar/ clinic / helpdesk is general information only and does not constitute legal or commercial advice. No liability whatsoever is accepted by Visual Artists Ireland for any action taken in reliance on the information. Legal advice should always be sought from professionals on your personal situation or matters of a legal or financial nature.

Connectivity: Do you experience connectivity issues when engaging with online VAI events? If so why not search for the nearest BCP (Broadband Connection Point) in your area? To explore your options please visit: https://nbi.ie/bcp-map/

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