Limerick artist showcased horror-inspired art at Connecting Artists Exhibition

LIMERICK ARTIST Claudia Williams was selected to exhibit her work at the Connecting Artists 2025 Exhibition. 

The exhibition took place from Wednesday, July 16 until Saturday, July 19 in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), where Claudia was one of nine artists from across Ireland chosen to take part in this year’s Connecting Artists programme.  

Now in its fourth year, the exhibition was designed to celebrate the creativity of artists who are neurodivergent or have intellectual disabilities, providing them with professional development, mentorship, and national exposure.

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Claudia, a self-taught artist, drew creative inspiration from the world of horror. “I think with art it’s important to conjure emotions and reactions from viewers, and for me, the art that does this best borders on the macabre,” she says.

“I usually work with canvas, pencils, acrylic paint and inking pens. Being part of the Connecting Artists programme has been fascinating - I feel like I have so much to learn, and it’s an amazing opportunity to meet fellow artists.”

Claudia’s inclusion in the exhibition marked  a major milestone in her artistic journey as she continues to develop her unique visual language, using bold imagery and expressive techniques to provoke and engage audiences. 

The Connecting Artists programme was developed by Connections Arts Centre, which is an award-winning, not-for-profit social enterprise that supports people with intellectual disabilities and the neurodivergent community through inclusive arts and training initiatives.

This structured 10-week programme supports emerging artists in developing their creative skills, building confidence, and gaining national recognition through exhibitions like this one at RCSI.

The collective facilitates artistic expression, skill-sharing, and collaboration, with notable exhibitions including the prestigious Royal Hibernian Academy.

Speaking about this year’s programme, Lis Lien, programme manager at Connections Arts Centre, said: “This year, we were delighted to open the Connecting Artists programme to include neurodivergent artists as well as those with intellectual disabilities. The diversity of perspectives and creative voices has been truly inspiring. Claudia and her peers have worked with dedication over the past 10 weeks, and we’re so proud to see their art take centre stage at RCSI.”