Big Bauble Showcase
2023-11-02 10:00 - 2023-12-31 17:00, 2024-11-07 10:00 - 2024-12-30 17:00 (Europe/London) | Craft NI Gallery, 115 - 119 Royal Ave, Belfast, BT1 1FF, United Kingdom
The Big Bauble Showcase is a yearly staple at Craft NI Gallery, featuring a wide range of unique handmade baubles, in limited ranges or one-offs. The event is a highlight for visitors who come back each year to add to their collection.
Stop by to admire and pick up a meaningful gift – these unique designs in porcelain, felt, enamel, textiles or hand blown glass are sure to impress!

Christmas exhibition and Big Bauble Showcase grand opening!
2023-11-02 18:00 - 21:00 | Craft NI Gallery, 115 - 119 Royal Ave, Belfast, BT1 1FF, United Kingdom
Craft NI Gallery are delighted to invite you to a very special night to of new seasonal work by NI designer-makers!
Come along Thursday, November 2, 6 – 9pm (Late Night Art) at Craft NI Gallery for the opening night of not one, but two of our most special events: the Christmas exhibition, ‘Ag925 – Au750 / Journeys in Silver and Gold’ and the Big Bauble Showcase! These special events mark the beginning of the festive season at Craft NI Gallery and the team would like to extend a warm invitation to a first preview.
Come along and immerse yourself in the makers’ creative journeys in silver and gold; or enjoy this year’s clever bauble designs and bring the delights of the handmade into your celebrations.
This special evening will be accompanied by the soft tunes of concert harpist Aisleagh, mulled wine and mince pies.

'Ag925 - Au750 / Journeys in Silver and Gold'
2023-11-02 18:00 - 2023-12-31 18:00 | Craft NI Gallery, 115 - 119 Royal Ave, Belfast, BT1 1FF, United Kingdom
Craft NI Gallery are delighted to invite you to their Christmas exhibition, Ag925 /Au750 / Journeys in Silver and Gold. This will show new work from NI makers and a few special guests – the audience will enjoy seeing how they’ve responded to the theme with a play upon the silver and gold hallmarks!
Conveying the idea of precious metals but also hinting at creative journeys and innovative ways to incorporate these metals and/or colours in new work, and sometimes unexpected materials, this unique selling exhibition will bring a glow to the shortest days of the year.
Exhibiting makers: Abbie Dixon, Aisling Higgins, Alison Lowry, Andrea Hayes, Anna Donovan, Anne Earls Boylan, Ariel Lavian, Caitlin Murphy, Cara Murphy, Celine Traynor, Claire Mooney, David Cousley, Fiona Kerr, Gail Kelly, Irene McBride, Jackie McMaster, Joel Smyth, Kathleen Walsh, Maggie Napier, Patricia Kelly, Ruth Osborne, Sarah Cathers, Shannon McShane
Guest makers: Peter Meanley, Clodagh Molloy, Julie Usel, Cameron & Breen

'Curious Carnival'
2023-11-03 10:00 - 2023-11-28 16:00 | Ards Arts Centre, Town Hall, Conway Square, Newtownards, BT23 4NP, United Kingdom
Ceramics artist Anna Donovan uses clay to tell stories through figurative sculptures.
This curious exhibition will feature ceramic and mixed media sculptures playing with imagery inspired by a variety of mythological creatures combined with familiar carnival and circus tropes. Characters will have evolved from clowns, mermen, acrobats, strong men, and bearded ladies, to create a side show of curiosities!
‘Curious Carnival’ is the result of Donovan’s imagination, playing with, and nourished by childhood memories of funfairs, fairy tales, and legends.

Form | Function | Flourish
2023-11-30 09:30 - 2023-12-23 17:00 | Island Arts Centre, The Island, Lisburn, BT27 4RL, United Kingdom
A special ceramic group show which brings together the work of 18 established artists who have been invited to consider form, function and/or flourish, and create work that demonstrates the breadth of expression, skill and innovation in contemporary ceramics.
The exhibition continues until 21 December, and includes makers such as Malcom Murchinson, Anna Donovan, Claire and Karen Gibson, John McKeag, Rory and Helen Shearer, Sandra Robinson and many others.

‘Connection: Disconnection’
2024-01-13 11:00 - 2024-02-09 17:00 | R-Space Gallery, 32 Castle Street, Lisburn, BT27 4XE, United Kingdom
‘Connection: Disconnection’ presents the work and research of multi-disciplinary artist Heather Dornan Wilson.
The exhibition explores elements of a shared human experience: loss. Dornan navigates the journey of loss, through personal experience. Works manifest in sound, stitch, object, and imagery, collating together to narrate poetic stories touching on, grief, loss, gratitude, and the healing process. The exhibition reflects on death and loss as a fracturing of connection, creating cracks, yet without complete separation of parts. Fractured objects and shifting embroidered details dissipate to a single bare thread, manifesting as material metaphor for attempting to retain memories that feel like they are unravelling. Emphasising how memory, through love and loss can remain connected and held together. The loss of purpose is reflected in ‘Connection: Disconnection’ through Dornan’s own ill health and physical limitations impacting her hands and subsequently artist practice.
‘Connection: Disconnection’ brings together a re-envisioning of cathartic healing through stages of making. Dornan will create work in situ and in process. New works will unveil weekly, combined with accompanying texts published in the form of a blog.

Stage 1 – Unravelling– 13th – 21st January
Stage 2 – Brokenness– 22nd – 29th January
Stage 3 – Memory– 29th – 4th February
Stage 4 – Honouring– 5th – 9th February

Heather Dornan Wilson (b. Belfast) works experimentally with a range of media and materials. Her current work and research touches on the crossover between art, science, and human experience. She plays with a visual language that captures and celebrates stories of imperfection and brokenness, juxtaposed with beauty, potential, healing, and hope. The artist has extensively exhibited her work, and worked on numerous commissions, including visual responses for the NI Science Festival.

QEST Northern Ireland Showcase Exhibition
2024-02-01 18:00 - 2024-05-10 17:00 | Craft NI Gallery, 115 - 119 Royal Ave, Belfast, BT1 1FF, United Kingdom
Craft NI have partnered with QEST to bring to you the QEST Northern Ireland Showcase Exhibition in February 2024.
The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) supports the training and education of talented and aspiring craftspeople through Scholarships, Emerging Maker Grants and Apprenticeships. We are delighted that by means of this joint exhibition, craft audiences in Northern Ireland will be able to see the work of 16 local Scholars glass, handloom weaving, luthiery, willow sculpture, wrought iron putter making and silversmithing.
This unique event, the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, will open on Thursday, February 1st at 6pm at Craft NI Gallery, Belfast’s only craft dedicated venue, and run until May 10, 2024.
The participating QEST Scholars include: Aaron Leach (wrought iron putter making); Andrea Spencer (glass); Anne-Marie O’Sullivan (basketry); Bob Johnston, basketry; Cara Murphy, silversmith; Caitlin Murphy, silversmith; Damien McKeown, Mourne Textiles; James Adair, saddler; Kurtis Scott, Pict Guitars; Laura Quinn, glass artist; Lucy Cushley, saddler; Mario Sierra, Mourne Textiles; Patrick Davison, silversmith; Stephen McClenaghan, Hawthorne Lutherie; Tara Osborough, Irish Artisan Yarn; Scott Benefield, Benefield Spencer Glass.

Dogwoods and Dollars
2024-03-07 10:00 - 2024-04-05 16:00 | Down Arts Centre, 2 - 6 Irish Street, Downpatrick, Down, BT30 6BP, United Kingdom
An exhibition by Down Arts Centre artist in residence Áine McKenna. Specialising in porcelain, this ceramics design exhibition marks the end of her Down Art Centre residency, during which time she had the opportunity to experiment and create this new body of work. Dogwood and Dollars is a reflection of a specific time and place and how once changed by a new experience one will never be the same again. The work is beautiful and delicate with a nod to spirituality and symbolism.

Closed Saturday and Sunday.

Earth Made
2024-03-15 10:00 - 2024-04-28 16:00 | Oriel Gallery, Clotworthy House,, Antrim Castle Gardens, Antrim, BT41 4LH, United Kingdom
EARTH MADE reflects the creative processes of textile artist Ruth Osborne and ceramic artist Patricia Millar. In this collaborative exhibition, earth materials and stories were collected and exchanged t create sustainable land Art.
Ruth Osborne is textile artist working primarily on Irish Linen, which is chosen for its aesthetic qualities, sustainability, and heritage on the island of Ireland. Her work focuses on connection and communion with nature and a sense of place, taking inspiration from folklore and heritage innate within the local landscape and changing seasons. Working primarily with sustainably foraged natural materials as part of the creative process, her practice often draws upon the historical process of Nature Printing, as used by both artists and botanists since the 15th Century, alongside natural dyeing and ink making, eco-print, and printmaking processes.
Patricia Millar is a ceramic artist from the Causeway Coast. She references archaic domestic forms preserved within the landscape. The potency of these ancient vessels inspires not only form but the methods by which she works. Using Ice Age gravels from ditches that criss-cross fields, glacial clays deposited from springs along basalt cliffs and ash glaze from coppiced woodland, rushes and grasses, her vessels celebrate form, colour and texture of their geological and anthropological origins.

This exhibition is supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Keith Sheppard - Art In Glass
2024-05-04 16:00 - 2024-06-01 17:00 | Island Arts Centre, The Island, Lisburn, BT27 4RL, United Kingdom
The Island Arts Centre are delighted to invite you to the preview for two new exhibitions on Saturday 4 May at 4pm.
KEITH SHEPPARD – Art In Glass | 4 May – 1 June
Following a life changing accident in 2009, resulting in paralysis from the waist down, Keith defied medical opinion by walking seven months later, and beginning his life again as a glass artist. The metal fused vertebrae that enables him to walk has a relevance to the works he now creates. From producing tableware to high-end bespoke pieces, which include sculptures and installations, Keith’s artistry involves infusing glass with metals to create unique, vibrant colourations in interesting forms
ARTEAST – The Magic Brush | 4 May – 18 May
A group of female Chinese artists got together in 2015 with aims to foster excellence and promote appreciation of Chinese culture and art in Northern Ireland. Since 2017 a series of exhibitions and workshops with the theme of Magic Brush have occurred in Lisburn, Belfast and elsewhere. 2024 marks the Chinese New Year of the Dragon, and this exhibition promises to bring powerful, confident, beautiful works celebrating Chinese art’s rich heritage.
No booking necessary. All Welcome!

ForM Sculpture Exhibition
2024-06-01 10:00 - 2024-06-30 18:00 | Walled Garden Bangor Castle, Valentine Rd, Bangor, BT20 4BT
Explore sculptures and artworks in the beautiful surroundings of The Walled Garden at Bangor Castle. ForM Sculpture Exhibition gives visitors the unique opportunity to experience art in a different context, outside the traditional gallery setting. This year’s exhibition features over 40 sculptures from artists across Ireland – some of the works are of large scale and compliment the setting whilst other, more subtle, works will need to be sought out, adding a further dimension to this engaging exhibition. It is an exhibition to be enjoyed by the whole family!
Garden opening hours:

Friday – Sunday: 10am – 6pm
Monday – Thursday: 10am – 8pm

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2024-06-01 11:00 - 2024-06-28 17:00 | R-Space Gallery, 32 Castle Street, Lisburn, BT27 4XE, United Kingdom
‘Re:New Wallace #7’ is the seventh in a series of collaborative cultural projects involving a Northern Irish artist and the Wallace Collection in London. This is an extraordinary collection encompassing paintings and decorative art objects collected from around the world by Sir Richard Wallace and his predecessors. The project provided a residency opportunity to visual artist Judith Waring to carry out research in response to the collection and create an innovative body of new work.
Judith Waring (b. Belfast) is a visual artist working with sculpture. She is interested in pushing boundaries with material, process, and scale. Her practice is research-led and project-focused. Visual markers of time, place and of boundaries are central concerns of her practice. The work is often site-or space-specific and informed by real and imagined narratives.
‘Quenched’ is a new body of new work is a distillation of ideas which began with Les Wallaces, the Rococo drinking fountains gifted to the people of Paris by Richard Wallace in 1872. In many ways, Lisburn, with its 2 extant fountains, is pivotal to the creative narrative between Paris and London. Les Wallaces are made of cast-iron, painted green and provide drinking water.

Please note, venue is closed Sunday and Monday.

'Glass Runway'
2024-06-06 18:00 - 2024-07-25 17:00 | Craft NI Gallery, 115 - 119 Royal Ave, Belfast, BT1 1FF, United Kingdom
The Glass Society of Ireland, in collaboration with The Council of Irish Fashion Designers, is delighted to present a unique exhibition of wearable glass at Craft NI Gallery, Belfast opening on June 6th 2024 and running until July 25, 2024. This show is aimed at addressing gender equality, diversity and inclusion in the fashion world through exploring glass as a wearable material for all. The exhibition will feature 20 artists and designers showing collaborative and individual pieces which include glass bags, millinery, dresses and jewellery.
The industry term “Glass Runway” refers to gender inequality which touches many arms of society. The GSoI and CIFD wish to encourage a dialog on inequality, diversity and inclusion by exploring themes through this exhibition inspiring new ideas and statement pieces in this exclusive collaboration.
Participants:
Partnerships between Irish fashion designers and glass artists include: Helen Hayes & Killian Schurmann; Aoife Harvey (NI) & Madeleine Hellier; Sarah Ward-Hendry & Róisín de Buitléar; Silvana Landa & Eleanor-Jane McCartney (NI); Ejay Griffin & Angela Brady, Sarah Foy & Alison Lowry (NI), Noema Damaris & Jennifer Butler.
Participating glass artists are: Meadhbh McIlgorm (NI), Kathyrna Cuschieri, Ana Surdu, Maggie Napier (NI), Ruzica Rucane and Helen Hancock (NI).

A Commission by YES
2024-06-10 10:00 - 2024-06-16 18:00 | YES Hub, St. Columb’s Hall, 10a Newmarket St, Orchard St., Derry/Londonderry, BT48 6EB, United Kingdom
Catherine O’Connor is a self-taught tapestry artist currently based in Dublin. She established her studio practice in 2019 with the purpose of capturing the essence of a person in woven tapestries. Catherine is drawn to portraiture in an effort to capture the variations and nuances in a person’s features and expression. For YES 2024, Catherine will create a bespoke tapestry which will celebrate the female form. The tapestry will be on display at The YES Hub, St Columb’s Hall, Derry~Londonderry.
This exhibition forms part of The Sixteen Nations, which celebrates female creativity, and the YES Hub at St. Columb’s Hall will be open from 10am – 6pm daily.
YES takes place in Derry~Londonderry and north Donegal from 13-16 June. It is the culmination of ULYSSES European Odyssey, an unprecedented international project supported with funding through Creative Europe that since 2022 has seen partners in 18 cities across Europe take Joyce’s novel as the starting point to explore contemporary issues, from migration to the environment and disability to global data.
Women artists from cities involved in ULYSSES European Odyssey will travel to Ireland for YES to present work in venues and public spaces across Derry~Donegal. The programme will include theatre, dance, visual arts, installations, film, writing, photography, textiles, circus, music, rap and song.
At a time when more is being written about both Joyce’s wife Nora Barnacle and Molly Bloom, YES and its theme The Future: A Female Vision invite audiences to think about the role of women in the writer’s life and work, and more widely, in society, in art, in business, in politics, as thinkers, as creatives, as leaders.

Andrea Hayes | Northern Ambience
2024-06-15 09:30 - 2024-06-29 16:30 | klöver haus, 92B Main Street, Moira, Craigavon, BT67 0LH, United Kingdom
‘Northern Ambience’ is an exhibition of original art by local textile artist Andrea Hayes. Working from her home studio in Cookstown, Andrea draws inspiration from the vast array of textures, colours and dramatic skylines of the Irish landscape. Each piece is a unique collage created in Andrea’s distinctive style; hand painted, layered with appliquéd hand dyed fabrics and delicately finished with embroidery.

Please note, the venue is not open on Sundays.

Threads of Empowerment: Conflict Textiles’ International Journey
2024-06-21 10:00 - 2025-04-27 17:00 | Ulster Museum, BT9 5AB, United Kingdom
Taking place as part of Belfast International Arts Festival, come along to see Threads of Empowerment: Conflict Textiles’ International Journey.
People across the world have communicated their experiences of violence and conflict, human rights violations, poverty, oppression and environmental issues through the form of textile narrative.
The result is a visual record and a form of artistic expression based on personal, and often very poignant testimonies.
This collaborative exhibition will explore the strengths and highlights of the Conflict Textiles collection – its history, international diversity and the important themes it addresses.
Learn more about the Conflict Textiles collection and associated activities through this link.
What to know

This exhibition will take place in Art Gallery 3 at the Ulster Museum
It’s free to visit and no booking is necessary.
Opening on 21st June 2024.

Image credits: Detail of ‘Vida en Nuestra Población / Life in Our Poor Neighborhood’,Photo: Martin Melaugh, © Conflict Textiles

August Craft Month 2024
2024-08-01 10:00 - 2024-08-31 17:00 | Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
The highly anticipated month-long celebration of Irish craft has officially launched! This year’s August Craft Month brings together an array of talented makers hosting nearly 300 events with representation in almost every county on the island of Ireland.
August Craft Month celebrates a rich craft heritage with artisans keeping ancient traditions alive and new talented makers bringing real vibrancy to the scene.
With events taking place across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, August Craft Month provides unique opportunities for people to get involved as well as supporting makers by buying products and learning more about their work.
Supported by Design & Crafts Council Ireland and Craft NI, the annual celebration is once again part of an island-wide summer programme.
There is a packed itinerary of nearly 300 eclectic events, with craft disciplines including ceramists, textile makers, glassblowers, designer-makers and more all available across the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

For events taking place in Northern Ireland, please click here. For events taking place in the Republic of Ireland, please click here.
All August Craft Month events are run independently by the event organisers. For questions regarding any events please contact the event organiser directly.

August Craft Month Exhibition Maker Talk with Juliana Cavaliero and Samantha Rhodes
2024-08-01 15:00 - 16:00 | Craft NI Gallery, 115 - 119 Royal Ave, Belfast, BT1 1FF, United Kingdom
You are warmly invited to join us for a talk from the two guest judges of our August Craft Month exhibition, at 3pm on Thursday 1st of August at Craft NI Gallery, Belfast.

We’re delighted that Juliana Cavaliero from renowned contemporary gallery Cavaliero Finn will speak about her career in contemporary craft, as well as more generally how craft makers and artists can successfully engage with galleries – a must-do for any maker seeking to explore stockists or gallery representation for their work. Established in 2004, Cavaliero Finn aims to curate works from emerging, mid-career and established contemporary artists, focusing on heirloom pieces, led by originality and craftsmanship. Julianna, along with partner Debra Finn, also works with museum curators, industry, interior designers and art directors, supplying work for homes, businesses, museums, film sets and shoots.

Also meet Samantha Rhodes who leads Bluecoat Display Centre in Liverpool, a regional craft hub and beacon for contemporary British craft. Established in 1959, Bluecoat exhibits and sells work by over 250 studio-based artists working across the disciplines and offers workshops and classes on site. Samantha also drives an impressive outreach programme, bringing the benefits of making to vulnerable groups through partnerships with charities and healthcare providers. Bluecoat has had a long relationship with Liverpool Irish Festival and this partnership has enabled a number of makers from this island to connect with audiences in the north west of England over several years.
We’re fascinated to learn more about this successful hub and delighted to have Samantha and Juliana as guest judges to select the five prize winners in our August Craft Month exhibition this year.

Please feel welcome to take a break and join us at 6pm for the opening of Craft NI Gallery’s August Craft Month exhibition ‘Reaction’. Find out who this year’s prizes winners are, meet some of the participating makers and see how they responded to the exhibition brief.
Find out more about the Reaction Exhibition Opening, here.

Opening Night: Reaction | 2024 August Craft Month Exhibition
2024-08-01 18:00 - 21:00 | Craft NI Gallery, 115 - 119 Royal Ave, Belfast, BT1 1FF, United Kingdom
Craft NI are delighted to announce the launch of ‘Reaction’, the August Craft Month 2024 exhibition.
The opening reception will take place at Craft NI Gallery on Thursday, 1st August at 6pm. Featuring some of the best in contemporary craft, the annual August Craft Month Exhibition aims to celebrate and profile excellence in Northern Irish craft.
This year, applicants were invited to respond to the theme of Reaction, looking to what reactions between materials made it possible for their body of work to come to life, is there a particular technique that they found fascinating? Or was their response found exploring their creative process, ‘reacting’ to events and influences in the environment?
We’re excited to share how this year’s participants responded to the theme!

Exhibiting makers include: Anne Butler, Caitlin Murphy, Cara Murphy, Carla Pennie McBride, Celine Traynor, Cora Cummins, Corinne Price, Eleanor Wheeler, Fang Zhao, Hugh Cummins, Irene McBride, Jackie McMaster, Janice Gilmore, Joel Smyth, Karena Ryan, Karl Harron, Kathleen Walsh, Maya Todd, Natasha Rollinson, Pennie Metcalfe, Claire and Karen Gibson from Red Earth Designs, Ruth Osborne, Sarah Cathers, Stuart Cairns and Sue Cathcart.

This year, Craft NI are joined by special guest judges Juliana Cavaliero from renowned contemporary gallery Cavaliero Finn and Samantha Rhodes who leads Bluecoat Display Centre in Liverpool, a regional craft hub and beacon for contemporary British craft, who will give a talk at the gallery before the opening at 3pm. Find out more about the talk here.

At the opening this year’s guild prizes will be awarded, for which Craft NI are particularly grateful to the former Guild of Northern Ireland Designer Makers (The Guild) who gifted a legacy gift for the development and promotion of the craft sector in Northern Ireland.

Reaction | 2024 August Craft Month Exhibition
2024-08-02 10:00 - 2024-08-31 17:00 | Craft NI Gallery, 115 - 119 Royal Ave, Belfast, BT1 1FF, United Kingdom
Craft NI are delighted to announce the launch of ‘Reaction’, the August Craft Month 2024 exhibition.
The opening reception will take place at Craft NI Gallery on Thursday, 1st August at 6pm. Featuring some of the best in contemporary craft, the annual August Craft Month Exhibition aims to celebrate and profile excellence in Northern Irish craft.
This year, applicants were invited to respond to the theme of Reaction, looking to what reactions between materials made it possible for their body of work to come to life, is there a particular technique that they found fascinating? Or was their response found exploring their creative process, ‘reacting’ to events and influences in the environment?
We’re excited to share how this year’s participants responded to the theme!
Reaction will continue until the 31st August, make sure to stop by to see this year’s incredible contributions.

Exhibiting makers include: Anne Butler, Caitlin Murphy, Cara Murphy, Carla Pennie McBride, Celine Traynor, Cora Cummins, Corinne Price, Eleanor Wheeler, Fang Zhao, Hugh Cummins, Irene McBride, Jackie McMaster, Janice Gilmore, Joel Smyth, Karena Ryan, Karl Harron, Kathleen Walsh, Maya Todd, Natasha Rollinson, Pennie Metcalfe, Claire and Karen Gibson from Red Earth Designs, Ruth Osborne, Sarah Cathers, Stuart Cairns and Sue Cathcart.

'Turning Turns 40'
2024-09-05 18:00 - 2024-09-26 17:00 | Craft NI Gallery, 115 - 119 Royal Ave, Belfast, BT1 1FF, United Kingdom
Craft NI are delighted to host the ‘Turning Turns 40’ exhibition, which celebrates the Irish Woodturners Guild 40th Anniversary; the exhibition features 40 exceptionally turned wood forms that demonstrate excellence in craftsmanship and design, as well as carrying a message about the threat to the native Ash tree from Ash Dieback disease.
The starting point of the exhibition was a technical challenge for all participants, who were required to work from a uniform sized block of Ash. Over 360 cubes of Ash 15cm3 in size were distributed from which 40 final pieces were selected by an independent judging panel comprising Stephen O’Connell (Ireland) and woodturners Barbara Dill (USA) and Ulf Jasson (Sweden).
The exhibition highlights the critical issue that affects our native Ash tree: Ash Dieback disease. First detected in Ireland in 2012, the disease is now prevalent throughout the island and across Europe, threatening the native Ash.
In celebrating the IWG anniversary, the Guild also commemorates the offering and history that the Ash has provided to the Irish landscape through this lasting collection of native Ash crafted works of art.
Participating makers:
Patricia Berns, Sean Byrne, Imelda Connolly, John Deaton, Stephen Dowie, Harry Emerson, Paul Finley, John Flynn, Kevin Geaney, Mike Gray, Graham Griffith, Eugene Grimley, Oliver Hackett, Philip Hart, Ger Hennessy, Emmet Kane, Anthony Keenan, Charley McCarthy, Tom McCosh, Sean McGann, Martin McNamara, David Miller, Alan Monaghan, Patrick Murphy, Hugh Nolan, Paddy O’Connor, Liam O’Neill, Seamus O’Reilly, Padraig Phelan, Jack Quearney, Liam Quirke, Kieran Reynolds, Noel Roche, Tom Ronayne, Donal Ryan, John Sinnott, Paul Spiers, Rob Steen, Jim Stevens, Louise Wilde

‘Contemporary Art of Northern Ireland #5’
2024-09-09 09:30 - 2024-10-05 16:30 | Island Arts Centre, The Island, Lisburn, BT27 4RL, United Kingdom
Gallery 545 and the Island Arts Centre are delighted to present their fifth annual major showcase celebrating contemporary art created in Northern Ireland. The exhibition features over twenty accomplished artists who have achieved significant recognition, and presents a large and diverse art selection. Artworks displayed in two galleries include exquisite glass art and textile gems, vibrant abstracts, works inspired by the beauty of nature, fascinating figures and stunning sculptures.
Viewers are invited to take a visual journey through the galleries to discover artists and art, and appreciate the wealth of talent in the region.
Featuring: Lisa Ballard, Justė Bernotaitė, Ronan Bowes, Majella Clancy, Craig Donald, Ray Duncan, Emma Fitzpatrick, Spencer Glover, Karl Hagan, Elham Hemmat, Eamonn Higgins, Ashely B. Holmes, Janet Keith, Patricia Kelly, Louise Lennon, Judith Logan, Alison Lowry, Sinead McKeever, Sarah McWilliams, Tracey McVerry, Maria Perry, Latisha Reihill and Anushiya Sundaralingam.
This exhibition is curated by Francesca Biondi, Art Director at Gallery 545. It will be accompanied by tours and talks, and details will be published online.
Opening reception – Saturday 7 September 2-4.30pm
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'Paper Magic' exhibition
2024-09-14 14:00 - 2024-10-20 17:00 | Millenium Court, 2 William Street, Portadown, Co Armagh, BT62 3NX, United Kingdom
The Belfast Paper Art Society’s exhibition ‘Paper Magic’ opens at Millennium Court on Saturday, September 14th, 2 – 4pm. This exciting event will showcase the vibrant and diverse world of paper art, featuring an array of Papier Mache sculptures, intricate collages, and large-scale mixed media pieces, that are sure to captivate visitors of all ages!
The exhibition celebrates the versatility and creativity of paper as a medium. In a special tribute to Portadown’s own pioneering artist, Ann Acheson, each exhibiting artist has created new pieces inspired by her groundbreaking work. Ann Acheson is renowned for her contribution to medical history during World War I, where she helped develop the Papier Mache ‘Acheson Splint,’ a precursor to the modern plaster cast that improved the healing of broken limbs.
In addition to the main exhibition, Millennium Court is delighted to host a series of kids’ paper craft workshops to celebrate the opening of ‘Paper Magic’.

Craft Corporate Showcase at the Festival of Business
2024-09-18 08:30 - 13:00 | St. George’s Market, 12 - 20 East Bridge Street, Belfast, Antrim, BT1 3NQ
Craft NI are delighted to take part in the upcoming Festival of Business on September 18th, run by the NI Chamber of Commerce & Industry!

Stop by our stand and find out how craft can enhance wellbeing and staff engagement in the workplace! A craft workshop is the perfect team building exercise, helping your staff reconnect in the context of the now so popular hybrid working.

Craft is also a sustainable choice for awards, conference gifts or individual retirement or speakers’ gifts, while giving a proud nod to local talent. The friendly Craft NI team will answer any questions about commissions, craft experiences or sponsorship opportunities – we look forward to meeting you!

Visitors will enjoy a stunning display of artworks suitable for corporate gifting, as well as a pottery demonstration: Josh from Mud Ireland will be throwing at his potters wheel!

Tickets are free but must be booked before September 11th HERE.

Materials, Messages, Meaning #13
2024-09-28 14:00 - 2024-10-25 17:00 | R-Space Gallery, 32 Castle Street, Lisburn, BT27 4XE, United Kingdom
The annual group exhibition Materials, Messages, Meaning – MMM#13, now in its 13th year, will open at R-Space Gallery on September 28th and run until October 25th. This year’s exhibition is themed SUSPENSION—an exploration of how artists and makers engage with a diverse range of materials to reflect on the concept of suspension in its many forms.

MMM#13 brings together a diverse range of artists, from emerging to established, working across multiple mediums throughout Northern Ireland. This year’s exhibition will showcase the works of Sandra Kerr, Louise French, Maya Todd, Lisa Johnston, and Lauren Martin.

Join in for the opening event at R-Space Gallery on September 28th, where you’ll have the chance to hear from the artists themselves during the Artist Talks at 2:30 PM. This is an opportunity to not only see the work but also hear about the thought processes, methods, and stories behind each piece.
Refreshments will be provided; free entry, all welcome

The 143rd RUA annual exhibition
2024-10-18 10:00 - 2025-01-06 17:00 | Ulster Museum, BT9 5AB, United Kingdom
The Royal Ulster Academy (RUA) unveiled its highly anticipated 143rd Annual Exhibition at the Ulster Museum on October 18, 2024. As Northern Ireland’s premier visual arts event, this year’s exhibition promises to inspire and captivate with over 300 extraordinary works from both emerging talents and renowned artists. With comedian and artist Phill Jupitus as guest adjudicator, the exhibition offers a fresh perspective on the creative talent shaping the arts today.
This year’s exhibition will feature nearly 350 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, audiovisual installations, ceramics, textiles, and more. We are delighted to see craft so well represented by Andrea Spencer, Scott Benefield, Shauna McCann, Sarah Cathers, Stuart Cairns, Cara Murphy, Anna Donovan, Anne Butler, Claire Gibson and Alison Lowry to name but a few!

Intergenerational Connection
2024-11-01 11:00 - 2024-11-29 17:00 | R-Space Gallery, 32 Castle Street, Lisburn, BT27 4XE, United Kingdom
In this exhibition, scientist and artist Dr Lynne Hocking presents handwoven sculptural objects that give physical form to data and concepts related to genetics and ancestry.
These works were created as part of an innovative project focusing on ancestry research and bringing together art, craft and science. Hocking’s research highlighted that the last seven generations of her family were involved with the weaving trade. Following this discovery, she produced artworks that represent the “weaving women / powerhouses” of her family, working with the same materials: jute and flax/linen, and incorporating data on their shared genetics.
Dr Lynne J Hocking is a scientist-turned-handweaver, who previously worked in the field of human genetics. Her textile practice is research-based and experimental, with a particular interest in genetics/ancestry, social history, bioacoustics and environmental/climate data; and the applications of digital technology to craft practice. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, and is held in the permanent collection of Aberdeen Art Gallery, UK. She is based in Scotland.

Events:
Artist Talk – 1 November, at the opening. ‘Presenting Intergenerational Connections’
Artist Talk Online – 13 November, 6pm. ‘Family Ties: unpicking and re-weaving his-/her-stories’
The Gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday, 11am-5pm

The Knitting & Stitching Show Belfast
2024-11-07 10:00 - 2024-11-10 17:30 | Titanic Exhibition Centre, 17 Queens Road, Belfast, BT3 9DU, United Kingdom
Craft NI are delighted to partner with the Knitting & Stitching Show, one of the leading consumer textiles exhibitions in the UK, who are making their debut Belfast Show at Titanic Exhibition Centre from the 7th-10th November 2024 !

Visitors can expect inspiring textile art galleries, a wide range of enjoyable and practical skills workshops, free talks & demos, interactive features, as well as over 100 of the leading specialist craft suppliers.

Craft NI will have a stand so stop by and say hello – featuring a selection of Northern Irish textile artists and their wonderful work, and of course signposting and answering any questions about Northern Ireland’s vibrant craft sector!

Those interested to attend can book their tickets HERE and avail of the CNI24 discount code for £2 off standard admission tickets (not valid on Two-Day or VIP).

Please note, the show ends at 5pm on Sunday.

Aspire: Ventures in Craft
2024-11-07 10:00 - 2024-11-28 16:00 | Ards Arts Centre, Town Hall, Conway Square, Newtownards, BT23 4NP, United Kingdom
Stop by the Ards Arts Centre and see a group exhibition by Homo Faber Fellows 2023: Claire Mooney, Jackson Byrne, Richard Butler, and Noel Donnellan; artists who recently completed an internship ran by the Michelangelo Foundation.
This exhibition explores themes of sustainability, links to the land and the transmission of traditional craft skills in the contemporary field.
The Homo Faber Fellowship enabled this group to develop their practice and work alongside master artisans. This show celebrates the learning, development and collaborations which took place throughout this time. From photographs, drawings, and tests to final outcomes, this show is a window on their learning process while showcasing craft to a new audience.
