Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) returns with an exhibition of seasonal rhythms at Collect 2026, the leading international fair for contemporary craft and design. Collect represents leading international artists, designers and makers and the fair focuses on exclusivity, curation and vision, raising the profile of contemporary craft and design to a collectors’ market. Taking place in Somerset House, London from Thursday, 26th February to Sunday, 1st March 2026, 16 designer makers will represent Ireland and exhibit their work under the theme of ‘Four Seasons’.
Collect is a global marketplace for museum curators, interior designers and collectors to source the finest contemporary craft and design from a wide range of exhibiting disciplines and materials. The 16 designer makers selected for this year’s fair representing Ireland include Mary Palmer (Textiles) from Cork and Seliena Coyle (Mixed Materials / Jewellery) from Derry, who will exhibit for the first time this year, alongside returning designer makers Andrea Spencer (Glass); Cara Murphy (Silversmith); Cathy Burke (Ceramics); Emer Roberts (Jewellery); Helen O’Shea (Mixed Materials / Embroidery); Jane Murtagh (Metalwork); Jennifer Hickey (Ceramics); Paola Di Legge (Mixed Materials); Hugo Byrne (Bladesmith); John Lee (Furniture / Woodwork); Michael Rice (Ceramics); Mike Byrne (Ceramics), Noel Donnellan (Ceramics) and Zelouf & Bell (Furniture / Woodwork).
40 leading galleries, dealers and collectives representing over 400 of the most exciting contemporary designer makers, will gather at Collect 2026 from countries across the globe including UK, Asia, Africa, America, Europe and the Middle East. Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) is supported by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to display this spectacular exhibition of Irish work in London.
Irish Ambassador to Great Britain Martin Fraser said:
“It’s an honour to have been invited to once again attend the Design & Crafts Council Ireland’s exhibition at Collect 2026 at Somerset House. The work on display by the 16 master craftspeople is a testament to the highest level of skill and innovation they have achieved in their discipline. It is a reminder of how special Ireland’s craft and design sector is, and of why it is deserving of its international regard. I would like to congratulate all the designer makers involved in the exhibition and their contribution to growing the reputation of Irish design and craft on the international stage.”
On the opening of Collect 2026, Mary Blanchfield, CEO Design & Crafts Council Ireland said:
“Design & Crafts Council Ireland is proud to support the participation of Irish designers and makers at Collect 2026. This year’s presentation highlights the ambition, skill and innovation that define contemporary Irish design and craft, providing an important opportunity to present this work to an international audience. We are delighted to continue building the international profile of Irish design and craft through Collect, a key platform for engagement with international collectors, curators and cultural institutions.”
For more information on Collect 2026, please visit www.dcci.ie or follow the conversation @dccireland
ENDS
For all press inquiries, please contact:
[email protected]
Makers in the DCCI exhibition at Collect
Name | Discipline | County
Andrea Spencer – Glass – Antrim
Cara Murphy – Silversmith – Down
Cathy Burke – Ceramics – Wicklow
Emer Roberts – Jewellery – Dublin
Helen O’Shea – Mixed Materials / Embroidery -Cork
Jane Murtagh – Metalwork – Clare
Jennifer Hickey – Ceramics – Mayo
Mary Palmer – Textiles – Cork
Paola Di Legge – Mixed Materials – Dublin
Seliena Coyle – Mixed Materials / Jewellery – Derry
Hugo Byrne – Bladesmith – Limerick
John Lee – Furniture / Woodwork – Meath
Michael Rice – Ceramics – Antrim; resides in Dubai.
Mike Byrne – Ceramics – Limerick
Noel Donnellan – Ceramics – Limerick
Zelouf & Bell – Furniture / Woodwork – Laois
Curator
Julia Ravenscroft
About Design & Crafts Council Ireland
Design & Crafts Council Ireland is the national agency for craft and design in Ireland, we support designers and makers to develop their businesses in a sustainable way, and advocate for the societal benefits of craft and design. DCCI’s activities are funded by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment via Enterprise Ireland. DCCI currently has 68 member organisations and over 3,500 registered clients. www.dcci.ie / @dccireland
About Collect
Collect looks forward to welcoming visitors to the stunning neo-classical rooms of Somerset House in central London, for a five-day celebration of international contemporary craft and design from Thursday, 26th February to Sunday, 1st March. Presented by Crafts Council UK and recognised as being at the forefront of the contemporary craft movement, this year marks the 22nd edition of the art fair. Collect offers attendees the opportunity to engage with a line-up of 40 prestigious galleries. Hand-picked by an advisory panel, together they will present 400 living artists and their works, 80% of which have been made in the last five years.
PREVIEW DAYS
- 25 February 2026 – Collectors’ Preview, by invitation only
- 26 February 2026
PUBLIC DAYS
- 27 February 2026
- 28 February 2026
- 01 March 2026
