The Naughton Gallery presents up to six exhibitions per year and also co-ordinates commissions of new art works for Queen's University.
The University's extensive art collection comprises gifts, bequests and purchases since the foundation of Queen's College in 1845. The wide range of works includes paintings, prints, works on paper, sculpture, furniture, metalwork and silver. The collection is on display throughout the University with an impressive hang of over forty portraits in the Great Hall.
Since it's inception in 2001, the Naughton Gallery has built a reputation for its stimulating exhibition programme and innovative education and outreach initiatives. In the past the gallery has been transformed into a sea of 5,000 blue balloons, where visitors immersed themselves whilst listening to a special soundscape by internationally acclaimed sonic artist, Scanner. The gallery has brought Diwali lights from Calcutta, Fante flags form Ghana, Mexican Day of the Dead arts and crafts, as well as featuring group shows, open art competitions and work by local artists.
Recent exhibitions have included the internationally renowned Belfast photographer, Paul Seawright, quirky Spanish artist, Ramiro Fernandez Saus, breathtaking sculptures by the French artist, Marc Didou, and stunning works by Swedish photographer, Helene Schmitz.
More than 15.000 people visited the gallery over the past year with over 1,000 people participating in a collaborative education and outreach programme, designed to forge new creative partnerships between university departments, artists and the wider community pupils from primary, post-primary and special needs schools, as well as community, youth and adult groups work with the gallery's Education and Outreach Officer and professional artists on an extensive range of projects, including gallery tours, artist's talks, workshops and exhibitions.
