Fingal Arts Office announces Nicole Manning as MART Graduate studio residency recipient for 2026.

Image caption: Nicole Manning surrounded by her artwork.

Fingal County Council Arts Office, in partnership with MART Studios and gallery, announces the recipient of the 2025–2026 MART Studio graduate residency, Nicole Manning, a visual artist who works predominantly through the medium of paint. 
This opportunity aims to support the professional development of recent graduates from Fingal County Council with a fully funded studio space over 12 months beginning in January 2026. It will provide an ideal environment for the development of creative projects, development of a graduate's practice and an opportunity to network with other artists..

Studio rental, utilities, and administrative costs will be covered to help provide the artist with the time and space to develop their practice as well as opportunities to engage with other creatives. In addition, the graduate artist will join a group exhibition to showcase their work at MARTs annual exhibition award show in 2026. An artist and materials fee from MART will be provided as part of their annual awards show for the recipient.

The opportunity is part of a series of initiatives by Fingal Arts Office to promote and support the professional practice of emerging artists.

Fingal County Council County Arts Officer, Sarah O’Neil said about the award “The continuation of the MART studio graduate award showcases Fingal County Council’s ongoing commitment to professional and emerging artists. We are proud to partner with MART once again on this graduate award. I would like to congratulate Nicole in being selected as the successful recipient and have no doubt that she will use the the opportunity to forward her career as well as connect and learn from her peers.”

On receiving the award, Artists Nicole Manning commented “I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join MART as the Fingal Recent Graduate Artist in Residence, 2026. Having a dedicated space to develop new work and connect with a community of artists will be invaluable as I continue to grow my practice after graduation. I’m really looking forward to the year ahead and the chance to exhibit with MART”.

About artist Nicole Manning:

Nicole Manning is a Dublin based artist working predominantly through the medium of paint. Manning is a recent graduate of NCAD (2024) in which she received her Joint Hons BA in Fine Art Painting & Education. Inspired by the mind-body connection & the interplay between the physical and psychological, her work explores the external expression of inner turmoil within the human experience. Rooted in her experience of living with chronic stomach pain, Manning’s recent work focuses on how trauma manifests within the body.

Using gestural, twisting, brushwork to mirror the visual of the intestines, she explores how symbolic & archetypal imagery can narrate the complex experience of living with an invisible illness. Victorian bed frames, curled bodies & animals act as metaphor & alter-ego within her paintings. Her work aims to translate internal pain into visible form.

Following her degree show “To continue to live even when you don’t have the Stomach for it” (2024), she was awarded a year-long studio residency at the Clancy Quay Studios (2024 - 2025) in Island Bridge, Dublin, alongside a place on the ‘Superprojects’ Professional Development & Mentorship Programme for recent graduates. In August 2025, she was awarded the ‘Fingal | Draíocht Studio Residency Award,’ which led to a funded mentorship with Sharon Murphy. She is currently undertaking an artist residency at RAMA, located in rural Portugal just outside Lisbon, running from October to December.

About MART:

MART studios and gallery began in 2007 by Ciara Scanlan and Matthew Nevin. The aim to provide opportunities to creatives from all stages of their careers. Currently MART studios are one of the leading sustainable workspaces for the creative community in Dublin and Galway, with six studios facilitating multidisciplinary artistic work and over 150 members. These spaces promote the growth of artistic communities and engagement.
Nicole Manning will be showcasing her work at MART’s annual awards show on the 31st of January until the 14th of February 2026. This showcase highlights the work of three exceptional emerging artists selected through MART’s ongoing partnerships and award programmes that provide vital support and visibility to early-career artists. Mart Awards Show 2026 – MART Gallery & Studios

For further information please see:

www.fingalarts.ie
www.fingal.ie/arts
www.mart.ie
About | Nicole Manning Art