The F.E. McWilliam Gallery and Studio and Gallery will host a exhibition from this December to celebrate the artistic contribution made by Banbridge Art Club, which celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2018.

Established in 1976, Banbridge Art Club is one of Northern Ireland’s most successful local art clubs, with a dedicated and growing membership committed to the development of outstanding artistic talent and learning. For this year, and into early next year, the F.E. McWilliam Gallery will mark the contribution made by Banbridge Art Club to artistic life locally and regionally with the exhibition– Self-Reflections: 40 Years of Banbridge Art Club., Which focuses on self-portraiture and includes more than 20 stunning paintings and drawings created by its members inspired by a series of selected works from the National Self-Portrait Collection of Ireland, housed at the University of Limerick.

Alongside the self-portraits created by local artists, the exhibition also incorporates 45 other significant works from Ireland’s National Self-Portrait Collection in Limerick which were carefully selected by the club’s members. The chosen works feature self-portraits by well-known contemporary Ulster artists including Joseph McWilliams, David Crone, Deborah Brown, Basil Blackshaw and Mark Shields; historical figures George Russell, Sean Keating, Dan O’Neill and Jack B. Yeats.

The exhibition also includes works inspired by contemporary Irish artists including Bernadette Kiely, Robert Ballagh and John Shinnors. Sculptures by F.E. McWilliam, Imogen Stuart, Bob Sloan and Eilis O’Connell are also on display.

Supported by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.