Verbal has built up a fine collection of internationally renowned Irish public art which is on view across several floors, from a Louis leBrocquy drawing on the floor tiles in the Entrance Hall to Rita Duffy illustrations on the Children's Staircase to sculptures by John Behan and Carolyn Mulholland.
Anyone visiting the building can see these works for free, but please do give us a bit of notice as the Mezzanine and First Floors are office space and we are working!
Blue Coat Room art
Suspended above and on either side of the door into the Blue Coat Room, is the sculpture Word Jugglers by John Behan, RHA.
Pictured below are one of two lecterns, inspired by Morse keys, and bardic chairs, handmade by Michael Bell.
Children's staircase and rear hall art
On the back stairs, also known as the children's staircase, a selection works by Belfast artist, Rita Duffy, illustrate traditional stories from all over Ireland.
Entrance hall art
The floor of the entrance to the Verbal Arts Centre is an exact representation of a Louis le Brocquy drawing executed in tiles by Dutch ceramicist Ron van der Noll.
This collaborative work between the two artists depicts chariots, which are at the heart of the Ulster cycle of heroic tales.
The reception desk in the background is by furniture maker Knut Klimmek.
The glass sculpture in the recess to the right of the reception desk is by Killian Schurmann and resembles stalactites.
Pictured in close-up below, it houses over 200 original manuscripts by Irish writers which were gifted to the Verbal Arts Centre.
Foyer exhibition
We host exhibitions of art and photography in the foyer of the Verbal.
Previous exhibitions
An exhibition of arpilleras depicting children in conflict zones
Please contact us to see how you can use this exhibition space
Telephone: 028 7126 6946
Library art
As well as artefacts representing the building's history as a school, the Library displays commissioned art work and furniture.
In the image above, Ireland's contribution to world literature is celebrated in etched, stained glass panels. They celebrate four Nobel Laureates and twenty-four significant writers from in and around the North West.
Michael Bell made the curvilinear table and chairs which evoke the shape of a long boat and echo sea voyages in Irish legend and mythology.
A painting of the building above the fireplace in the Library by Martin Mooney was commissioned with the help of The Honourable The Irish Society.
A carving scrolled across the top of the library's bookcases reads 'The genius of mankind is the property of the common people' and it is represented in a collage below.
Mezzanine art
A commissioned sculpture by Carolyn Mulholland depicts two bronze figures set in a relationship that explores the nature of communication between individuals.
Outside art
The wrought iron gates and railings are by Gerald Pullman.
