We want to become a staple for the art world

At Ballymore, creativity lies at the heart of everything we do which is why we are deeply committed to supporting the arts, and the vibrant community of creators who bring our neighbourhoods to life. From supporting the Ready to Start awards in Dublin earlier in the year, to our recent unveiling of two new sculptures at the Brentford Project, to our sponsorship of Dublin Gallery weekend, an event which strives to make art accessible to all. 

Jessica Taylor of Taylor Galleries is working with the Contemporary Art Gallery Association (CAGA) to curate the weekend, sharing here how it promises to fuse creativity, colour, and connection in Dublin, by championing artist-led venues to larger commercial galleries with a packed weekend of free events. 

I’m excited to be preparing for this year’s Dublin Gallery weekend which brings together over 40 galleries and artist studios across the capital to celebrate the vast and wonderful contemporary art scene here in Dublin. 

A perfect partnership

Ballymore’s support of this year's event means the world to us; Dublin Gallery Weekend  wouldn’t have the scale, the energy, or the reach that it does. Ballymore is such a respected name, and it makes a huge difference to have a partner whose values align so closely with ours. 

We hope with such gravitas and backing that our weekend will evolve into an internationally recognised event - perhaps even a week-long event, and a staple in the diary of art lovers across the world.  

Accessible Art

The concept for the weekend came from noticing a disconnect between the public and commercial galleries. People will happily pop into the Tate when they’re in London, or the Louvre when they’re in Paris, but for some reason there’s still a bit of hesitation when it comes to walking into a gallery here in Dublin. I think some people imagine these white-walled, quiet spaces that you have to know something about art to enjoy - and that couldn’t be further from the truth. 

For me, Dublin Gallery Weekend is about breaking down those misconceptions and showing that galleries are open, welcoming spaces for everyone. You don’t need any background in art; it’s all about how the work makes you feel. Art is such a personal thing, and it should be enjoyed by anyone who’s curious. 

Now that we’re in our third year, it’s amazing to see how much it’s grown. We’ve got over 60 free events happening across more than 40 venues this year. It’s such a brilliant excuse to get out, explore the city, meet artists, and just soak up some visual inspiration. The energy over the weekend is incredible — it really reminds you how vibrant Dublin’s art scene is. 

A packed schedule

There are some fantastic headline exhibitions, like Picasso at the National Gallery and Cecilia Vicuña at IMMA, which are definitely must-sees. But what I’m really excited about are some of the smaller, independent galleries. Oliver Sears Gallery is showing new paintings by David Eager Maher - a beautiful Irish painter whose work I absolutely love. And Claremorris Gallery has taken over a gorgeous space on South Frederick Street for the weekend. They’re hosting a group show called Colour Beyond the Pale, featuring five incredible artists - I can’t wait to see it. 

That’s what’s so special about Dublin Gallery Weekend, whether it’s the major institutions or the smaller, more intimate spaces, there’s such a buzz across the city. You can really feel the whole art community coming together. 

The Taylor legacy

Taylor Galleries is actually the longest-running commercial gallery in Dublin today and you can trace our roots back more than 80 years, which is pretty special. My dad, John Taylor, opened Taylor Galleries in 1978, but his story in the art world began much earlier. He started out at the Dawson Gallery when he was just 15, working with Leo Smith. And the Dawson Gallery itself grew out of the Waddington Gallery - so there’s this wonderful sense of continuity and legacy running through it all. 

These days, John and Pat Taylor are not only the gallery directors but also our main curators - and honestly, they know the walls of 16 Kildare Street better than anyone! Every show is hung with such care and sensitivity. We often get visitors saying how much they love the way the space feels, not just the art itself, which is such a lovely compliment. The curation is really about creating conversations between works and making sure every exhibition feels both fresh and true to the gallery’s history. 

For the weekend, we will be curating a group exhibition, providing guests with a unique opportunity to experience a taste of ten smaller individual presentations as one. It’s a fantastic way to showcase many artists' work, as well as giving a taste of our gallery identity within a small-time window.

A call to Art 

My path to the gallery definitely wasn’t a straight one. Before joining Taylor’s, I worked in everything from media to the oil business in Aberdeen. They were great experiences, but I never quite felt that sense of fulfilment until I started working here. With Taylor Galleries being a family business, it felt familiar - like a natural progression, it almost feels like home. 

I’ve always been a people person, and working with John, Patrick and Lawrence, our amazing artists and chatting with visitors every day is such a privilege. There’s something really special about being surrounded by creativity and helping to connect people with art. 

I also have a background in marketing, which has been really helpful for the gallery - especially when it comes to sharing our artists’ stories and finding new ways to reach audiences. It’s one of those roles where it feels all of what I’ve done before has finally come together. 

I think I speak for everyone when I say we’re really excited for the weekend - it’s a year in the planning - and has been quite a challenge coordinating across more than 40 venues = each with their own schedules and teams! But it’s worth every effort, and being bolstered with the support of Ballymore, it promises to be better than ever. 

Ballymore has such a strong reputation, not just for their developments, but for the way they think about community and culture. I’ve always seen them as a real Irish success story with a great international presence too.  And what’s lovely is seeing how genuinely they support the arts. 

In fact, Ballymore acquired a stunning Martin Gale painting from Taylor Galleries not too long ago, which is such a nice example of their commitment to visual art. It makes this partnership feel even more connected and authentic. 

Find out more about the Dublin Gallery Weekend schedule and map here.