About the Gallery Database

The NIVAL Gallery Database has been compiled in order to improve public access to the library's extensive collection of files documenting galleries and exhibition venues throughout Ireland from the early 20th century until the present day.  The Gallery collection is comprised of more than 1200 files containing catalogues, press material and ephemera on Irish group exhibitions and exhibitions by non-Irish artists.

The Gallery Database is a reference resource providing basic details on Irish galleries including name, address, dates of existence, and contact details, as extracted from the hard copy files.  A visit to the library is recommended to researchers seeking a comprehensive view of the file contents.

  • Reference Code: IE/NIVAL GAL/273
  • Title: Cork Arts Society Gallery
  • Variant Names: Lavitt's Quay Gallery
    Lavit Gallery
  • Date: [1963] - 1995
  • Gallery Type:
    • Artist-run
    • Not-for-profit

Contact Details:

  • Address: 16 Lavitt's Quay
    Cork
    Cork

Notes

NIVAL holds a file on this gallery.
For Cork Arts Society exhibitions held after 1995 see: Lavit Gallery

The Cork Arts Society was founded in 1963 to promote and create awareness of the visual arts in Cork. They opened a gallery in an 18th century Georgian house on Lavitts Quay where they held exhibitions, lectures and painting classes. The gallery has been variously know as Cork Arts Society Gallery, the New Gallery and the Lavitts Quay Gallery. In 1979, with the help of a grant from The Arts Council, a small modern gallery space was set up on the ground floor of the building and an administrator was employed. Annual members exhibitions were held and every year a student from the Crawford College of Art and Design was awarded Student of the Year, in which they received a cash prize and an exhibition in the gallery. In 1995 the Cork Arts Society left Lavitts Quay and moved into a building on Father Matthew Street. Members voted on a new name fro the gallery and the Lavit Gallery was chosen.