About Our Studios

Rathmines | Harold’s Cross | Kilmainham | Crumlin | Blackpitts

MART Studios: Providing a space to support the production and exhibition of visual art.

MART Studio Member Benefits:

Joining one of Ireland’s largest creative artistic communities with over 150 members across Dublin.
Opportunity to exhibit your work twice a year in our annual Artist & Design Member Exhibitions and as part of our December Showcase.
Occasional free use of our galleries for documentation of work, photoshoots, rehearsals, etc.
Skill Sharing – Connect, share and learn for free with your fellow creative peers.
Regular members Group Critiques & meet-ups.
Curator Visits by MART curators or visiting professionals.
Feature your work on our Website and Social Media to our thousands of followers.
Promote exhibitions and other news through MART Social media channels.
On The Radar For International Exhibitions.
Access To Tools & our Equipment.
No Bills
Superfast Broadband.
Parking where possible.
Open Studio events held throughout the year
Safe & Comfortable Space.
Studio access from 7am to 11pm daily.
Fire and burglar alarm, with security monitored 24hrs a day.
Heart of Vibrant Creative Community.

Check Out our Available Studios Here.

Through MART Studios we pride ourselves on sustaining a community of studios that offer affordable, cooperative and professional environments for the development of all things cultural! We do this by working with local landlords and authorities to inhabit spaces that facilitate artists’ studios and workspaces for creatives. We cater to emerging and established practitioners with a range of studios and project spaces for all forms of creativity. We are the largest supplier of independent space for the arts, cultural and creative community in Ireland, now supporting 170 members in seven studio buildings across Dublin.

Our members and studios have a strong impact on the local and national Creative Economy. Our studios have great transport links and neighbour some of Dublin’s best bars, cafés, restaurants & vintage shops. At MART we redevelop buildings, work with local communities, attract and create jobs and improve localities through our main values:

Cultural Advocacy: We advocate for the arts and visual culture, promoting inspiration, education and freedom of expression. We develop creative platforms to support and challenge artists. We dedicate all of our activities to supporting creativity.
Community Building: We regenerate vacant and derelict buildings, allowing them to serve their locality. We create communities of artists allowing for opportunities of collaboration and support.
Sustainability: We operate as a self-supporting organisation and provide a safe studio environment allowing artists to concentrate on their work and sustain their practice in a dedicated space, free from worry.

All income generated by the organisation is invested back into our not-for-profit activities: creating platforms for artists through studios and exhibitions, building refurbishment, providing employment and encouraging the growth of artistic communities.

Key Statistics:

50% Artists & 50% Creatives
40% of our members work internationally
60% of our members collaborate together
Main disciplines include: Visual Art, Illustration, Photography, Painting, Design, Creative Industries
70% of our MART Studio Members believe having a studio has increased their growth and practice
Members use studios for: Creative Community | Collaboration | Professionalism | Raise Profile | Creative Working Environment | Push Boundaries | Peer Support | Less Isolation | Opportunity to Grow

Our Story:

MART was set up by artists for artists. It began in 2007 by Ciara Scanlan and Matthew Nevin as a way to create exhibition opportunities for emerging artists. MART seeks to create opportunities by providing creative platforms to support creatives from all stages of their careers to test new ground. As a curatorial partnership Ciara & Matthew have curated over 200 artists through 50 exhibitions across Ireland, UK, Europe, USA & Japan. In 2013 MART opened two art galleries in a converted old fire station in Rathmines, Dublin 6, and as of 2018 has become the largest provider of studios in Ireland.

Public Opinion:

70% believe MART has had large Dublin 6 & 8 cultural, social, economic growth in the past 5 years
70% believe action should be taken to keep MART and similar organisations sustainable and open
82% believe Studio Spaces like MART are vital in Dublin City
80% believe MART’s Artistic Platforms rate 8/10

Solo & Shared:

MART is proud to provide a wide range of creative studios varying in sizes. We have small and large workshop spaces, contemporary studios and several large Georgian rooms with exposed brickwork and high ceilings. We cater to individuals, small groups and assist in pairing if you’re looking for a comrade to share with.

You can check out our Health & Safety Guidelines here.

As a Mart Member you’d have access to all of our COMMUNITY EVENTS. For example in 2017 that included BBQs, SMART TALKS (our series of industry talks with the VAI and Arts Council among others), Studio Crits and Opens Studio evenings

To enquire about MART Studios, please email stephen@mart.ie.

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Helen Mac Mahon

Visit : helenmacmahon.com

View: Artist CV | Artist Portfolio | Artist Reviews

Helen Mac Mahon is an Irish artist currently based in Dublin and exhibited in Ireland, Europe, the US and Asia. Her work takes the form of installations, sculpture and photography that explore light and perception.

“My practice is concerned primarily with the phenomena of light, movement, perception and space. The work strives to observe and reveal the ecosystem that exists between the viewer and these intangible elements that exist in a perpetual state of transformation. Changes occurring in each facet has a perceptible impact on others, revealing previously overlooked properties and characteristics.

My investigation of these elements is experimental in nature, and this exploratory process is as important as the finished piece, the unpredictability of the techniques often being key to discovery. I use commonplace materials, such as light, glass, and lenses that have the potential to act in surprising ways, distorting and obscuring the very things it is their function to reveal. Each component acts as a catalyst, bringing to light unseen potential in the simplest of materials. Maintaining the integrity of the materials is also important, so the viewer is allowed to experience the everyday objects in new and often unexpected ways.”

Helen Mac Mahon

MacMahon's work takes the form of installations, sculpture and photography that explore light and perception.