Strule Arts Centre Showcases Award-Winning South West College Art & Design Students

A new pop-up exhibition showcasing the work of three award-winning South West College Art & Design students has opened at Strule Arts Centre, Omagh.

The exhibition, featuring work by Mary Gormley, Tinashe Makore and Rachel Heuchan, officially launched on Saturday 4 July and will run until Saturday 29 August 2026. The artists were selected following South West College’s End of Year Show in May and recognised for their exceptional creativity, technical ability and artistic potential.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council was invited by South West College to select and present Certificates of Recognition to outstanding Art & Design students in recognition of their exceptional creativity, technical ability and artistic potential. As part of the award, the selected students were offered the opportunity to exhibit their work in a pop-up exhibition at Strule Arts Centre.

A panel of judges selected this year’s award recipients: Mary Gormley, Tinashe Makore and Rachel Heuchan.

The judges noted the high standard of work displayed by students from the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art & Design and the Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art & Design & Media Practice. The exhibition includes a range of creative disciplines, including fine art painting, textiles, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking and mixed media.

Speaking at the exhibition launch, Councillor Dermot Browne said:

“Firstly, I would like to congratulate Mary Gormley, Tinashe Makore and Rachel Heuchan on the high standard of work presented in this exhibition. It reflects the strength of creative talent developing through South West College.

This exhibition provides an important platform for emerging artists to present their work to a wider audience and highlights the diversity of disciplines within art and design.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council continues to support the development and promotion of the arts. Opportunities such as this, facilitated through venues like Strule Arts Centre, are important in enabling artists to showcase their work and engage with the community.

I would encourage people to visit the exhibition while it is on display.”

The BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art & Design is a two-year course equivalent to three A Levels and is ideal for students who have completed GCSEs. The Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art & Design & Media Practice is a one-year course designed for students who have completed A Levels or those returning to Art & Design study. Both courses at South West College’s Enniskillen campus introduce students to a broad range of art and design specialisms while helping them develop a strong portfolio for progression to further education, higher education or industry.

For more information on the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art & Design, contact course coordinator Daniel Coleman at daniel.coleman@swc.ac.uk. For more information on the Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art & Design & Media Practice, contact course coordinator Patricia Fox at patricia.fox@swc.ac.uk.

The exhibition can be viewed on Level 3 at Strule Arts Centre from Saturday 4 July to Saturday 29 August 2026, from 9.30am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday.

For further information, visit the Strule Arts Centre website or call 028 8224 7831.