Verso Art Exhibition

Between 23^rd – 31st October, Lismore Castle Arts hosts a fundraising exhibition for Verso Art.

The exhibition will present over 800 postcards by Irish and international artists, including Dorothy Cross, Gottfried Helnwein and Eilis O’Connell among many others. Each postcard is available to purchase for €50, with all funds raised donated to support the restoration of St Carthage’s Cathedral in Lismore.

With restoration funds in short supply, a local community group led by Julia Keane has been working on an intriguing way to help to keep the roof on St Carthage’s Cathedral, a site which has been a place of learning and worship since 635AD.

The idea is simple - anyone can buy a postcard-sized artwork donated to the project but will not know who the artist is until after the work is bought. Additionally, every €50 raised will be matched by the Tomar Trust up to the sum of €30,000.

The cathedral has an exceptional artistic heritage, with remarkable stained glass by pre-Raphaelite Edward Burne-Jones and important 10th - 13th century stone carvings in the building including a stone figure known locally as “the oldest cleric in Lismore.”

Speaking about Lismore Cathedral’s heritage and this innovative fundraising project, Verso Art co-founder, Julia Keane, said:

“When we heard the idea of selling art anonymously, we just loved it. It’s a celebration of creativity and also a leveller - contributors are on an even par and it’s all in the eye of the beholder. I think everybody secretly likes the idea of stumbling on a masterpiece by a world-renowned artist.

The cathedral has a remarkable past and has been an inspiration to artists and musicians over the years. We hope that we can do our bit to make sure it continues to be a place of wonder for generations to come.”

Sale of works will take place online on 6th November 2021 at www.versoart.ie, with works available to view online from 1st October.