Thu. 26 Nov. 2026, 1pm
Admission Free, booking required

We’re delighted to welcome Niamh MacNally, Curator of the Prints & Drawings Study Room at the National Gallery of Ireland, for an insightful talk exploring the work of Mainie Jellett.

Niamh will take a closer look at Decoration, a key work featured in the exhibition, exploring Jellett’s distinctive approach to abstraction and the ideas that shaped her practice. The talk offers an opportunity to discover more about Jellett’s contribution to modern art in Ireland and to gain a deeper understanding of her work.

Following the talk, stay for a cup of tea or coffee and continue the conversation with fellow attendees. It’s a relaxed opportunity to share thoughts, ask questions and explore the exhibition together.

Pre-booking required as places are limited.

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Mainie Jellett; Decoration
Thu. 26 Nov. 2026 – Sun. 24 Jan. 2027

The Model is pleased to present Mainie Jellett’s celebrated painting Decoration on loan from the National Gallery of Ireland, bringing one of the defining works of Irish modernism together with significant paintings by the artist from The Niland Collection.

The exhibition, which runs from 26 November 2026 to 24 January 2027, offers a rare opportunity to explore the artist’s pioneering contribution to the development of modern art in Ireland.

Mainie Jellett (1897–1944) was a pioneering figure in the development of modern art in Ireland. Among the first Irish artists to embrace abstraction, Jellett challenged prevailing artistic conventions and helped introduce European modernist ideas to Irish audiences during the early twentieth century.

Her painting Decoration, 1923, occupies a particularly important place in the history of Irish art. First exhibited in Dublin in 1923, the work provoked a strong reaction at a time when abstract painting was largely unfamiliar to Irish audiences. Today, it is recognised as a key work in the emergence of modernism in Ireland.

Emer McGarry, Director of The Model said of the presentation – “We are enormously pleased to welcome Decoration to The Model through the generosity of the National Gallery of Ireland. Mainie Jellett was one of the most important and radical artists working in Ireland in the early twentieth century, and this loan provides a wonderful opportunity to bring her work into conversation with paintings held in The Niland Collection. It is particularly meaningful to present these works together in Sligo, where audiences can encounter a defining moment in the history of Irish modern art.”

Dr Caroline Campbell, Director of the National Gallery of Ireland, added: “At the National Gallery of Ireland, we take pride in sharing works in the national collection with audiences across the island of Ireland, and internationally. We are excited to be collaborating with our colleagues in Sligo, and I look forward to seeing Mainie Jellett’s seminal 1923 abstract painting, Decoration, on the walls at The Model. We thank the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport for their support through the Culture Programme for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union.”

To coincide with the opening of the exhibition on Thursday 26 November, The Model will welcome Niamh MacNally, Curator of the Prints & Drawings Study Room at the National Gallery of Ireland, for a special lunchtime talk at 1pm. MacNally will explore the significance of Decoration, Jellett’s pioneering approach to abstraction, and the artistic ideas that shaped her practice. The talk is free to attend, but advance booking is essential as places are limited. Visitors are invited to stay afterwards for tea and coffee and an informal conversation about the exhibition.

Lunchtime Talk
Thu. 26 Nov. 2026, 1pm

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Number 45 is working with local artists and community members on an exciting large-scale exhibition at The Model in Sligo.

The project brings together people who regularly take part in workshops and creative activities at Number 45, with participants exploring a wide range of art forms and developing new skills and techniques.

The exhibition will include paintings, sculpture, film, animation, poetry, knitting and crochet, music and more, celebrating the creativity and contribution of the Number 45 community.

The exhibition opens at The Model on Friday 13th November 2026 at 3pm.

More info to Number 45

Thu. 5 Nov. 2026, 6 – 10pm
Free Admission

Join us for a very special Illuminations on November 5th as The Model hosts its first ever ‘reading rave’.

The Model will turn one of its gallery spaces into a relaxing, communal reading environment with ambient sounds provided by Aoibh, Tara B., Mark from Turn it On, and DJ Blurry Indistinct.

You can bring a book, or peruse a zine from Sligo Zine Collective, enjoy the chill vibes, and listen to some spoken word poetry later in the evening.

Thu. 15 Oct. 2026,1.30 – 4pm
Free Admission

Screening of experimental film exhibition Desire Lines – curated by aemi. The screening is followed by an artist talk with curator Alice Butler in conversation with artist Chloe Brenan.

Read more about the exhibition here...

Trailer created by filmmaker Dean Kavanagh.