Outhouse LGBT Community Resource Centre has been drastically hit by Covid-19 restrictions, and local artists are rallying to help the organisation keep its doors open during the second lockdown.

After 23 years of operation, the Centre continues to be the only dedicated full-time LGBT+ Community Resource Centre in Ireland. As such, Outhouse is introducing Arthouse, their inaugural online art auction. The auction will run from October 28th, with final bids happening on the weekend of the 7th & 8th November.

Conor Harrington, Singer and photographer Brian Kennedy, Gavin Friday, Niall Sweeney, Colin Martin, Leah
Hewson, Eva O’Donovan, Gabhan Dunne, David Quinn, Carol Hodder and many more are joining the effort to keep Outhouse open.

“A place like Outhouse is essential to any community, not only to give support and safety to the LGBT+ community but to encourage and give space for diversity to flourish," says artist Leah Hewson.

"Personally, as an artist and human, I am always in search of my originality and truth. I wanted to get involved in the auction not only to help raise awareness of this great resource that is in the heart of our city but because it is vital that this work continues to progress, support and to be a safe space for people who might need it.”

The auction will feature paintings, print, textiles photography and sculpture from genres such as street, abstract and figurative art. There will be over 150 artworks on offer, and proceeds of the art auction will go towards raising much-needed funds to replace the income lost due to Covid-19 restrictions. Additionally, Outhouse is offering all contributing artists the opportunity to avail of 50% of the price achieved for their artwork.

“Outhouse is making a call out to our users and community to support Arthouse – our charity auction which aims to help us keep our doors open," said Chairman of Outhouse George Robotham. "Outhouse relies on the ongoing support of our community whose use of our cafe, spaces and facilities contributes a significant part of our income. We have lost most of this income over the past seven months due to Covid-19. Support Outhouse and our supporting artists by bidding in our charity auction and encouraging friends to join with you.”

All artwork will be available to view on Outhouse's website from the 28th of October. If you would like to contribute work to donate, please visit https://www.outhouse.ie/arthouse/.

• Feature image art by Bennie Reilly.