Bealtaine Artist in Residence in Studio 2 at Uillinn I Julie Merriman | 1–31 May 

Open Studio: Mondays & Tuesdays, 10am–4pm

Artist Talk: 23 May, 1pm

In partnership with Cork County Council, Uillinn presents this year’s Bealtaine Artist in Residence 2026, Julie Merriman. As part of her visual arts practice, Julie Merriman creates Book Art, an evolving strand of work that extends her wider artistic interests. During her residency, she will explore how altering the physical structure of a book can disrupt the usual spatial relationship between image and text. This continues her ongoing approach of interrupting and re‑configuring source imagery to allow new readings to emerge, now tested through imagery made on folded sheets of paper.

The content for these artist books will be produced on a Japanese mimeograph press using the File Plate Process. In this method, a wax‑coated Washi paper is placed on a metal file plate and drawn into with a stylus, the pressure perforating the wax to create a stencil. These stencils will be printed on‑site using two analogue Horii duplicators from 1920.

Artist books offer an accessible and affordable way for artists to share ideas, and Merriman aims to encourage wider public engagement with this form.  She is also committed to expanding the use of mimeograph within fine art, contributing to the revival of this once‑obsolete print technology. Visitors are invited to her studio to observe or take part in the processes involved.

Bealtaine 2026 at Uillinn, Celebrating the arts and creativity as we age

 Uillinn West Cork Arts Centre is delighted to present a rich and varied programme for Bealtaine 2026, Ireland’s national festival celebrating the arts and creativity as we age. Throughout May, Uillinn will host exhibitions, film screenings and open‑studio events, with free activities taking place both at the Centre and across West Cork. Coordinated nationally by Age & Opportunity, Bealtaine invites older people throughout Ireland to engage creatively and share their artistic voices.

Bealtaine at Uillinn reflects the relationships we have built with artists, older people and our health and education partners across West Cork. The work shared is the result of time, trust and creative conversation. At Uillinn, we believe creativity should be accessible to everyone, and Bealtaine is a powerful reminder of what happens when people are given the space, support and encouragement to make art. The projects in this year’s exhibition highlights the imagination and skill of older artists in our community.

We are delighted to open our doors for a month of free events, screenings and open studios, no booking required.

Image: Drift, Mimeograph book, Japanese file plate stencils, ink and carbon paper, 2025 Dimensions open 90 x 300 x 90mm, closed 90 x 90 x 18mm