Joy McAllen

Artist Bio

Joy McAllen is a Cork-based artist working across the mediums of stained glass and oil painting, and is a Fine Art graduate of the MTU Crawford College of Art and Design. With an established career in architectural stained glass, her commissioned permanent artwork can be found in numerous sacred and civic spaces, including St. Mary’s Church in Knocknaheeny (Cork City), Saleen Church in Midleton, and St. Gobnait’s Church in Dún Chaoin (Co. Kerry).

McAllen has recently expanded her visual practice into oil painting, creating colourful, narrative-driven works that explore the vivid landscapes of dreams and folklore stories. Her paintings have been exhibited in a number of regional spaces, including an exhibition at Black Valley Makers and at the Lavit Gallery, Cork City.

Her evolving artistic practice is further enhanced by the Backwater Studio Residency Award 2026, alongside several Cork City and County Council Bursary Awards and numerous artistic residencies over the years. McAllen is a member of the Backwater Artists Network and a professional member of Visual Artists Ireland.