Outhouse has announced the return of its superb annual online auction, Arthouse, with a stellar collection of Irish art from well-known and emerging creators such as MASER, Hazel Coonagh and Colin Martin. The online auction will open on October 20 and will be live until the final bidding weekend, on November 4-5.

Launched four years ago to raise funds for the reopening of Dublin’s beloved LGBTQ+ community centre after the Covid pandemic, Arthouse is now the primary fundraiser for Outhouse. The auction provides a unique opportunity to purchase marvellous art while also supporting a vital community resource.

This year’s edition will feature a collection of street, abstract, figurative art and more from over 150 of the best established and emerging artists in Ireland. Among the names included in the auction are MASER, Hazel Coonagh, Colin Martin, Leah Beggs, Ishmael Claxton, Tom Climent, Blaise Smith RHA, Sophia Vigne Welsh, Eamon Colman, Leah Hewson, Alan Phelan, Yoko Akino, Kieran Crowley, Duc Pham, Edina Halo, John Fitzsimons, Zsolt Basti, Sinead Lawless, Nick Munier, Emma Stroude, Conor Horgan, Carol Hodder and Martin McCann.

All contributing artists will receive up to 50% of the hammer price for their works, while all the remaining funds will go to Outhouse and the services it provides for the LGBTQ+ community. Some of the artists have kindly expressed a wish to donate the full amount from their artwork to the centre.

 

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Commenting on the generosity of the contributors, the team at Outhouse wrote: “We know the artistic community in Ireland has been affected by the cost of living crisis, and an artist incurs many expenses in creating a piece of artwork. As always, our core belief is that we must all rally together and support one another.

“We were delighted and extremely humbled by the generosity of so many of Ireland’s artists who contributed last year to make the auction a success,” the organisation added.

CEO of Outhouse Oisín O’Reilly also spoke about the impact of Arthouse, saying: “We are delighted to announce the return of Arthouse for 2023. This year has marked a significant milestone for Outhouse with the launch of our ambitious five-year strategic plan, ‘Space for All,’ which paves the way for us to become a world-class LGBTQ+ centre.

“Arthouse is a wonderful partnership with many exceptionally talented artists, and it plays a vital role in raising essential funds for our LGBTQ+ communities,” he added. “We are so incredibly grateful to all of our supporters who help us to ensure that every LGBTQ+ person has a safe and welcoming space to be safe, seen, and celebrated. I hope you will join us in painting a brighter future for the LGBTQ+ community.”

Award-winning Irish actress Aisling Bea, an Outhouse supporter, also spoke about the launch of Arthouse, saying: “I am a massive fan of Outhouse’s work protecting LGBTQ+ people & providing a safe place to exist freely. This auction is always a great way to support them, promote artists and also nab yourself some beautiful one-of-a-kind pieces. I’ve managed to buy three pieces over the years, which I cherish and love.”

All the artwork included in the auction will be listed in the dedicated online platform for two weeks, until the final bidding days on November 4 and 5. To learn more about the Arthouse auction, click here.