A celebration of artists with a link to Tipperary will be held by South Tipperary Arts Centre
30th anniversary celebration
April 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of the opening of South Tipperary Arts Centre (STAC).
STAC @ 30 is a major celebration of artists from, or living in, Tipperary who feature in the National Collection: featuring work by Aideen Barry, John Burke, Ursula Burke, Sheenagh Geoghegan, Patricia Hurl, Alice Maher, Austin McQuinn, and Bridget O’Gorman.
To narrow the selection process, the curatorial criteria focused on works from the 30-year period, 1996 to the present, and on artists who worked with, or were supported by, STAC during this timeframe.
STAC @ 30 will be opened by Alice Maher.
Speaking of the upcoming exhibition, Catherine Marshal, curator and art historian says "Under a modest exterior STAC's thirtieth birthday exhibition combines all that is best about Ireland’s arts centres.
"Disguised as a group show of artists from, or living in, Tipperary (Aideen Barry, John Burke, Ursula Burke, Sheenagh Geoghegan, Patricia Hurl, Alice Maher, Austin McQuinn, and Bridget O’Gorman) all of whom have been connected to STAC over the years, it spells out once again, the richness of creative commitment and talent in the county.
"But that's only the beginning. This exhibition celebrates the local community in South Tipperary who fought to keep their centre afloat for a decade when Arts Council funding was withdrawn following the banking crisis and their proud handover to a dedicated, spunky new generation.
"Their passion to draw all the narratives, the local (the community and the artists) the national (the artists and the community) and the international (these amazing artists of all ages and backgrounds, showing their work in Venice, New York, Chicago, London etc) is the stuff that national institutions dream of.
"It comes down to an eye for quality, excitement, inventiveness, loyalty, and a lot of hard work. Happy Birthday STAC.”
STAC @ 30 will be the first exhibition of a yearlong programme that will focus on the wonderful artists and work that continues to come out of the region.
The opening reception - will be held on Friday 17th April from 6 – 8pm. The exhibition runs from 18th April - 20th June.