Underpin – QSS Artists

Exhibition runs Thursday 9 October – Thursday 13 November

Opening night: Thursday 9 October, 6–8:30pm

QSS is proud to present Underpin, a group exhibition showcasing the work of QSS artists who took part in our pilot internal mentoring programme, generously supported by Belfast City Council. Launched in February 2024, the programme paired emerging QSS studio members with more established peers, fostering an environment of mutual support, skill sharing, and creative development.

Each of the mentor/mentee groupings engaged in a series of one-to-one sessions alongside group crits that brought all participants together for collective reflection and exchange. The programme also included professional development workshops—A Guide to Engaging with Curators led by Ciara Hickey, and a Funding Applications session with Jane Morrow—equipping mentees with vital tools for navigating contemporary artistic practice.

The works on display in Underpin presents a diverse range of collaborative and individual pieces that have been inspired by, or have connections to, themes that emerged through the ono-to-one sessions, reflecting the process of conversation and collaboration.

Participating artists: Alana Barton, Mollie Browne, Hannah Clegg, Jonathan Conlon, Susan Connolly, Majella Clancy, David Haughey, Amy Higgins, Sharon Kelly, Meadhbh McIlgorm, Mark McGreevy, Kate O’Neill, Darcy Patterson, Gail Ritchie, Jennifer Trouton.

This initiative reflects QSS’s ongoing commitment to peer-led learning and sustainable artistic communities.

09 Oct 2025

13 Nov 2025

10:00am

5:00pm

2nd Floor, The Arches Centre, 11-13 Bloomfield Ave, Belfast, BT5 5AA