Catarina Araújo

Catarina Araújo is a Portuguese visual artist based in Cork whose practice spans visual arts, early years engagement, and collaborative work. She holds an MA in Art and Process from the Crawford College of Art and Design at Munster Technological University (MTU), where she was awarded a Postgraduate Residency by Sample-Studios.

Her work explores the intersections of art and well-being, with a particular focus on the role of play in everyday life. Through interactive sculptural installations, she transforms public spaces into engaging, community-oriented environments that foster curiosity, connection, and joy. Deeply committed to co-creation, she collaborates closely with communities to promote inclusivity, sustainability, and playfulness.

Catarina’s artistic journey is marked by her determination, resulting in a diverse body of work that includes solo and group exhibitions, socially engaged and collaborative projects, and educational programming. Her recent solo exhibition took place at Sample-Studios in partnership with the Cork Public Museum (2023).

Her growing recognition includes several prestigious awards, such as the 2025 Creative Communities Grant from Cork City Council and Creative Ireland; the 2023 Arts & Health Emerging Artist Bursary; and a Residency with Studios of Sanctuary through Sample-Studios and the Cork Arts Fund at the Community Foundation for Ireland. She was also awarded the Project Realisation Award (2022) by Create, the Arts in Context Award by Cork City Council (2022), and the Agility Award from the Arts Council (2021).

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