Season of the college exhibitions

For those aiming to find work by tomorrow's art stars at bargain prices, art school fine art diploma and degree exhibitions used to be a happy hunting ground. Not so much any more. With the increasing professionalism of the shows, prices have tended to nudge closer to market levels, but they're still well worth seeing. This weekend, the NCAD kicks off the brief season with its Fine Art MA show, which is being held in the Douglas Hyde Gallery this year for the first time. The painting, print and sculpture shows open at NCAD, Thomas Street, and the RHA Gallagher Gallery tomorrow. Next Friday, Dun Laoghaire College of Art and Design follows suit and the Crawford School of Art in Cork holds its annual fine art degree and diploma shows on Friday, June 18.