From Buncrana to Broadway: Donegal artist to light up Times Square, NY
“It’s a surreal milestone that I never imagined would become reality”
A Buncrana-born artist is preparing to see her work take centre stage in one of the most famous locations in the world, with her artwork set to be displayed on a giant Times Square billboard in New York later this month.
Jennifer Sweeney, who grew up in Buncrana and attended Scoil Mhuire Secondary School, will have her artwork exhibited in association with Streeters Gallery on the Times Square billboard at 1560 Broadway on Sunday, August 30.
The display will also be livestreamed, allowing people around the world – including friends, family and supporters back home in Donegal – to see Jennifer’s work appear in the heart of Manhattan.
For Jennifer, the occasion represents a remarkable journey from a small town in Inishowen to one of the world’s biggest artistic and cultural stages.
“It’s a surreal milestone that I never imagined would become reality,” she said.
The artwork being displayed represents the first half of Jennifer’s creative output from this year and marks what she describes as one of the proudest moments of her career.
“I’m incredibly proud to represent both Donegal and Ireland through my art,” she said.
Jennifer’s passion for art began at a very young age, with her creative development including classes at Tullyarvan Mill and Artlink, before she went on to attend university at NUI Galway and Northumbria University in the UK.
She also singled out former Scoil Mhuire art teacher Rois Deeney for a special mention.
Jennifer lived in San Francisco for approximately a decade, where she held several exhibitions, before more recently relocating to Brooklyn, NY.
Her latest achievement brings her artistic journey full circle to a new and much bigger stage.
Her work combines acrylic painting with elements of abstraction and portraiture, drawing heavily on human emotion, memories and personal experience. Her academic background in psychology also informs her approach to art.
The Times Square display is a particularly proud moment for Jennifer because of its connection to her roots.
“It’s a reminder that someone from a small town in Donegal can end up exhibiting their work on one of the world’s biggest stages,” she said.
For the Buncrana artist, the occasion is not simply about seeing her work displayed among the bright lights of Manhattan, but about celebrating where she came from while showcasing how far her artistic journey has taken her.