International Day of Rural women celebrated with Exhibition at Parliament Buildings, Stormont

This October, six women artists from across the six counties of Northern Ireland will be exhibiting their work in the Long Gallery, Parliament Buildings Stormont exploring place, identity, community, landscape and lived experience through art.

Rural women make up approximately one quarter of the world’s population, yet their voices, experiences and creative contributions are often underrepresented.

Supporting the platforming of rural art and artists is a key outcome of the 10 year ACNI strategy; 'We will invest in the arts sector to deepen, widen and diversify audiences and participants.'

The exhibit features the work of Rosalind Lowry, Rozzi Kennedy, Sheena Devitt, Sonya Whitefield, Amanda Montgomery, Maíre Morrison/ Rachel McCarthy. Some of these artists have been supported individually by Arts Council Northern Ireland for past work.  

A taster of the collective, known as 'The Blades Art Collective' work is in the image above: 

• Free Range by Sheena Devitt
• Borrowed Land by Rosalind Lowry
• The Meters Running by Rozzi Kennedy
• The Turn in the Road by Drumaspil, Sonya Whitefield
• Amanda Montgomery - Winged

The exhibit will be opening on 13^th October 2026 and promises to be a real treat showcasing some of our best female artists.