This year, the jury for This Is Art! includes top artists, educators, and curators. They will select winners and provide personalised feedback to 100 highly commended artists, offering valuable advice to help you improve as an artist. Here, we meet the judges and get their ideas on what the theme, This is Nature! means to them.
RTÉ's This Is Art! competition, supported by Creative Ireland and the Shared Island initiative, is calling on children on the island of Ireland to use their imaginations and embrace the outdoors, with This Is Nature! theme the focus for 2025.
All entries must be submitted online via the This is Art! website by the closing date, midnight on Saturday, 31 January 2026.
Visit rte.ie/thisisart to find out more and submit your entries now!
Maser - Artist
Dublin artist Maser, who began in graffiti in 1995, has achieved global acclaim. His work, rooted in urban environments, includes collaborations with Damien Dempsey and JR, and commissions across Europe. Notable projects include a U2 music video and exhibitions at IMMA, National Gallery of Ireland, and Palais de Tokyo in Paris.
Maser says: "I was blown away by the variety and quality of entries when I previously judged this competition. Ireland is full of wildly creative children, I look forward to once again seeing that first hand."
Joe Caslin - Artist and Art Teacher
Joe Caslin added: "To the participants: let your art tell a story – about yourself or how you see the world. Your voice matters and I cannot wait to see what you create. Best of luck."
Joe is a hugely acclaimed artist known for his large scale works of art which have been seen across the island of Ireland.
Helen Steele - Contemporary Irish Artist and Fashion Designer
Helen Steele is a highly acclaimed award winning Irish designer and artist and gave her competition insights. From canvas to catwalk, Helen brings her signature bold colours and fearless creativity to RTEThisIs Art as a judge!.
Helen says: "The subject of nature is a beautiful one at this time of year - the changing of the light, the leaves falling on the ground, the arrival of the geese and swans migrating here for our mild winters. Let's embrace what’s around us to create some stunning art."
Mary Conlon - Art Curator
In 2025 we welcome Mary Conlon on board as a new This is Art! judge. She is a curator and director at The Dock Arts and brings a curatorial eye to her role as one of the judges. She has produced 65 exhibitions and worked with over 300 artists from around the world.
Mary says: "I see unique creativity daily in my role at The Dock and I encourage the next generation to use their imagination to spark something they can be really proud of - that’s where the joy of art and nature can meet."
Seán Ronayne - Ornithologist and Writer
Seán Ronayne, whose autobiography, Nature Boy: A Journey of Birdsong and Belonging, won the biography of the year award at the 2024 Irish Book Awards, is also very excited to be a part of the judging panel. The theme This is Nature! is one close to his heart.
Seán says: "The all-Island nature of this competition means we’ll get to see the best of creativity from the length and breath of the country - that’s the real pleasure for me."
