The Christmas exhibition is a fixture in the calendars of most commercial galleries. Usually it's a group show featuring the work of all or most of each gallery's regular exhibitors.
Over the years some, like the Solomon, have extended the concept to incorporate a much wider range of artifacts at a much wider range of prices. And, over the last couple of years, several galleries have co-operated in another Christmas development: an open day. This year's open day is today. It is, in effect, an all-day opening in most cases highlighting the Christmas group show, with hospitality and liquid refreshment on offer from 11am to 4pm. It's a chance to step in from the hurly-burly of the Christmas rush, sip a drink, check out the exhibitions and perhaps find the ideal gift.
The participating galleries are Green on Red on Lombard Street, the Hallward on Merrion Square, Kevin Kavanagh on Great Strand St, the Kerlin in Anne's Lane, the Rubicon on St Stephen's Green, the Solomon in the Powerscourt Townhouse Centre and the Taylor on Kildare Street.