Art+Feminism at The National Gallery of Ireland

In April, Wikimedia Community Ireland collaborated with the National Gallery of Ireland to hold an Art+Feminism Editing Event.

Participants received a Wikipedia editing crash course and were introduced to the archives at the Gallery. We were lucky enough to have access to a wealth of information, including the Galleries’ digital databases, collection of books, and journals. We also had amazing guidance from the NGI archivists, including Anna Gavigan, who helped to organise the event.

The National Gallery of Ireland’s collection encompasses more than 16,000 works of art from around 1300 until the present day. In addition, it houses an important and extensive art library and archive collection.

It was amazing to hold newspaper snippets with interviews from these amazing Irish artists and leaf through programmes from exhibitions dating back to the 1950s and beyond, and have expert guidance while working together as a group to make the internet a more equal place.

We had a great turnout with participants ranging from librarians in training, artists, university lecturers, and graphic designers, all passionate about advocating for the visibility of Irish Women Artists in digital history. This event was part of WCI’s branch of the global Art+Feminism Campaign that aims to write and thus make right the legacies of artists who have been historically sidelined. There are still a lot of marginalised groups who need to be added back into history, but Irish female artists were a great place to start.

Sophie, Projects and Communicatins Manager Presenting at the National Gallery

Writing Wikipedia Articles about Irish Female Artists

Many participants were new to Wikipedia but will confidence instilled in them from the training session and guidence from th archivists and Wikimedians present, the editathon was a huge success. The artists we wrote about and researched at this session were all connected to Irish artistic heritage and the National Gallery of Ireland.

Who did we write Wikipedia Articles about at the National Gallery ? (Click the links to read more on Wikipedia!)

Marianne Agren-McElroy
Maria Simonds Gooding
Pauline Bewick
Sarah Cecilia Harrison (Sarah Cecilia Harrison (1863–1941) was an accomplished artist and curator, as well as an advocate of social reform and women’s rights in Ireland in the early twentieth century. The Gallery acquired the Sarah Cecilia Harrison archive in 2019.)

Sarah Cecilia Harrison, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Yvonne Jammet
Nancy Wynne Jones
Catherine O’Brien (Irish stained‑glass artist)
Beatrice Elvery (Irish painter & stained‑glass artist) –
Kitty Wilmer O’Brien (Irish oil & watercolour landscape artist)
Norah McGuinness (Irish painter & illustrator)
Naomi Heather

The attendees has wonderful time and gave great feedback one participant going out of their way to follow up with the following sentiments post event:

‘thanks to you and the team for a great initiative .Carmen and I are going to follow up on the Wikipedia volunteer program and get to see you again. The morning was inspiring. Thank you so much.’

Mainie (Mary Harriet) Jellett (1897 – 1944), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The National Gallery of Ireland is proud to present Mainie Jellett and Evie Hone: The Art of Friendship, running from 10 April to 10 August 2025. This landmark exhibition celebrates the lives and legacies of pioneering Irish modernists Mainie Jellett and Evie Hone, showcasing over 90 works that span their remarkable careers. United by a deep friendship and a transformative period of study in Paris during the early 1920s, the exhibition traces their parallel journeys back to Ireland, where they became influential figures in the development of modern art. Through paintings, stained glass, and preparatory drawings, visitors will discover how both artists broke new ground while continuing to draw on traditional themes such as religion and landscape. This powerful tribute to artistic innovation and collaboration highlights the enduring impact of two women who reshaped the Irish visual arts landscape. If you’d like to get involved, visit the National Gallery of Ireland’s website to learn more.

If you would like to get involved or host a Wikipedia Editing or digital activism event as part of the Art+Feminism Campaign, please contact sophiefitzpatrick@wikimedia.ie