Photo by: Michael Durand

Wicklow Artists Salon #15: Portrait of the Artists

7th February 2026, Powerscourt House

Guest Artists:

• Writer Carlo Gébler
• Painter Mick O’Dea

This unique salon centres on portraiture.

Author Carlo Gébler is writing a memoir about the final years of his mother, the writer Edna O’Brien. Carlo will read from his work-in-progress and tell us about the challenges he faced in creating this powerful, ground-breaking portrait of the end of a life.

After a snack courtesy of Avoca, Mick O’Dea will paint a live portrait of Carlo…and we’ll all have an opportunity of joining an informal conversation between both artists. This salon is a collaboration with Wicklow Arts Office for the 'Made in Wicklow- Love of Craft- a Month at Powerscourt’ Programme.

Writer Carlo Gébler is the author of many novels, stories, plays and essays. He teaches at the Oscar Wilde Centre for Creative Writing in TCD and is a member of Aosdana.

Mick O'Dea is a painter and sculptor living and working in Ireland. He is past President of the Royal Hibernian Academy; a member of Aosdán;, an Honorary Member of the Royal Scottish Academy and a past member of the Board of Governors and Guardians of the National Gallery of Ireland.

The Wicklow Artists Salon is curated by writer Philip St John and visual artist Joanna Kidney. The salon meets four or five times a year throughout Wicklow and warmly welcomes all professional artists living in the county. It is funded by Arts Council of Ireland, Wicklow County Arts Office and supported by Mermaid, Courthouse and Signal Arts Centres, Russborough, Killruddery and Powerscourt Houses.