Re:New Wallace #6 - Time Frame
2023-05-27 11:00 - 2023-06-30 17:00 (Europe/London) | R-Space Gallery, 32 Castle Street, Lisburn, BT27 4XE, United Kingdom
Following the continued success of the Re:New Wallace Collection exhibitions since 2018, R-Space delivers the sixth in a series of collaborative cultural projects involving a Northern Irish artist/maker and the Wallace Collection in London with selected artist, Emma Whitehead. Inspired by the journey and time spent passing through the hands of of people over time, Emma explores the compulsion to measure time, distance, the seasons, the stars, and the need to make sense of the connections that intersect with our lives.
About the artist
Emma Whitehead is a self-taught, mixed-media visual artist specialising in innovative embroidery techniques using various materials. She re-discovered a passion for surface embroidery after exploring the possibilities of other mediums and has tested the limits of needle and thread for over 25 years. Based in County Down, she is co-director of the artist-led gallery Top Floor Art Gallery & Open Studios and runs the TFA Studio Group. In 2016 she completed the Lumen Residency in Italy, exploring the themes of light and astronomy. In 2018 she spent a week training with The British Horological Institute learning the mechanics of time and how to strip and rebuild a hunter watch piece. In 2019, she received the IDA Award from the University of Atypical for research & development of new ways of working adapted to disability. These opportunities have enabled her to delve into the themes of time, space, memory and personal history, which permeate her work.

Please note, the event is open to the public Tuesday to Saturday.

ForM Sculpture Exhibition
2023-06-01 10:00 - 2023-06-30 18:00 | Walled Garden Bangor Castle, Valentine Rd, Bangor, BT20 4BT
ForM Sculpture Exhibition takes place annually each June and is one of the highlights of Ards and North Down Borough Council’s annual Arts exhibition programme, giving visitors the unique opportunity to experience art in a different context, outside the traditional gallery setting.
The exhibition will showcase selected works from artists from across the island of Ireland who exhibit both nationally and internationally, and are inspired by the garden environment.
A visit to Bangor Castle Walled Garden is a real escape and the sculptures enhance this experience even further. 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.
Please note the opening times below:
Monday – Thursday: 10am – 8pm
Friday – Sunday and Bank Holidays: 10am – 6pm

'The Form is Emptiness'
2023-06-02 10:00 - 2023-07-01 16:00 | Ards Arts Centre, Town Hall, Conway Square, Newtownards, BT23 4NP, United Kingdom
The Sunburst Gallery at Ards Arts Centre will host a solo exhibition of ceramic sculpture by Fang Zhao. Her practice as a ceramicist seeks to communicate international ideals through sculpture and functional pottery. The organic form of mountain shapes, inspired by Chinese Mountain Paintings, serves as a metaphor with which to examine her personal life journey.

Fang’s work seeks to synthesise traditional and modern aesthetics in order to situate a conceptualisation of the relationship between culture and the natural world.
This exhibition will address the concept of ‘the form is emptiness’. -this could refer to a philosophy or verse, benevolent see benevolence; everyone will have their own explanation.

Merciful, Savage
2023-06-02 10:00 - 2023-07-01 16:00 | Ards Arts Centre, Town Hall, Conway Square, Newtownards, BT23 4NP, United Kingdom
The Georgian Gallery in Ards Arts Centre will host a joint exhibition by Karen Daye-Hutchinson and Enda Kenny starting June 2nd.

This ambitious exhibition, by Karen Daye-Hutchinson and Enda Kenny, explores the relationships between human and animal evolution, extinction and change; exploring the interaction of human beings and the natural world. Connecting with instincts and the comparisons with nature and habitat, this thought-provoking exhibition will also reveal a deeper message relating to wider life issues.
The artists collaborate with beautiful textures, hand-made papers and threads, repurposed and natural materials, as well as traditional copperplate etching, woodwork, leatherwork, bookbinding and weaving.
Reflecting on human life that is both Merciful and Savage.

Wonderful Wool!
2023-07-07 10:00 - 2023-07-27 15:00 | Larne Museum & Arts Centre, 2 Victoria Rd, Larne, BT40 1RN, United Kingdom
‘Woonderful Wool!’ is’ an exhibition of work by members of Region 14 of the International Feltmakers Association.

The exhibition shows the versatility of this wonderful natural product when it is subjected to the process of dry or wet felting. A variety of wools have been used in the various exhibits – combined in different ways with other materials such as silk, viscose and cotton. Visitors will see 3D objects, hangings, pictures and wearable pieces such as hats, scarves and coats.

All the exhibits have been created by members of Region 14 of the International Feltmakers Association. Its members come from across the island of Ireland and include feltmakers of international renown asa well as those just starting their creative journey.

Creative Peninsula Exhibition at Ards Arts Centre
2023-07-27 10:00 - 2023-08-24 16:00 | Ards Arts Centre, Town Hall, Conway Square, Newtownards, BT23 4NP, United Kingdom
Throughout August, Ards Arts Centre will play host to the main Creative Peninsula exhibition, featuring exclusive works by the finest Artists and Makers from the Ards and North Down Borough

This exhibition will feature unique pieces of art and craftwork in a variety of mediums, specially selected for display in Ards Arts Centre and created in our Borough. This exhibition is a celebration of the exclusivity and quality of the artwork produced by local artists and makers and a fantastic opportunity to purchase a beautiful piece of art.
Artworks are for sale, and many artists accept commission work too.
Be sure to pick up a Creative Peninsula programme for more information on other events and activities taking place during the festival.

Cameron & Breen Jewellery Trunk Show - Opening Night
2023-07-28 18:00 - 21:00 | Craft NI Gallery, 115 - 119 Royal Ave, Belfast, BT1 1FF, United Kingdom
Come along and meet design powerhouse Martin Cameron and Laura Breen for a one-of-a-kind event – a Cameron & Breen Jewellery Trunk Show at Craft NI Gallery, Belfast! This will be a unique opportunity to meet these two talented makers in person as the Gallery will show an extended collection of their stunning works for 3 days only.
Join us for the opening night on July 28th: the evening will start with a drinks reception at 6pm, and Martin and Laura will give a short introduction to the audience at 6:30. This will be a great opportunity to chat to them about their work and any bespoke commissions or remodelling ideas that you might have – appointments will be available over the next two days.
Cameron & Breen are renowned for their contemporary exploration into ancient jewellery design, having won awards from The Worshipful Company Of Goldsmiths and with noteworthy commissions under their belt such as presenting their ‘Ancient Treasure’ Brooch to Princess Anne Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal in 2021.
Captivating hordes of gold jewellery found in museums influence the forms and materials in Martin and Laura’s jewellery collections. Recycled gold is cast from wax that has been carved and manipulated by hand, displaying the beautiful marks of traditional handmade design and the ancient technique of lost wax casting. Stone carvings adorned with rhythmical patterns and curious figures inspire their playful hand engraved motifs. Martin and Laura hand select emeralds, sapphires, mandarin garnets, diamonds and rock crystals to skilfully set in each individual piece.
If you have longed to try on some of their pieces after intensive social media searches, have a bespoke commission in mind such as an engagement ring, a wedding ring or anniversary gift, or are interested to remodel heirloom pieces, stop by for a chat in the Gallery’s private consultation area. Martin and Laura welcome bespoke enquiries, and their designs can be translated for you using alternative metals and your dream gemstone can be sourced to create a truly unique treasure. Martin and Laura will happily discuss using your own gold and gemstones to create a new future heirloom.
Please note the following opening hours: Friday 6 – 9pm, Saturday 10 – 5pm, Sunday 1 – 6pm.

Cameron & Breen Trunk Show
2023-07-29 10:00 - 17:00, 2023-07-30 13:00 - 18:00 | Craft NI Gallery, 115 - 119 Royal Ave, Belfast, BT1 1FF, United Kingdom
Come along and meet design powerhouse Martin Cameron and Laura Breen for a one-of-a-kind event – a Cameron & Breen Jewellery Trunk Show at Craft NI Gallery, Belfast! This will be a unique opportunity to meet these two talented makers in person as the Gallery will show an extended collection of their stunning works for 3 days only.
Cameron & Breen are renowned for their contemporary exploration into ancient jewellery design, having won awards from The Worshipful Company Of Goldsmiths and with noteworthy commissions under their belt such as presenting their ‘Ancient Treasure’ Brooch to Princess Anne Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal in 2021.
Captivating hordes of gold jewellery found in museums influence the forms and materials in Martin and Laura’s jewellery collections. Recycled gold is cast from wax that has been carved and manipulated by hand, displaying the beautiful marks of traditional handmade design and the ancient technique of lost wax casting. Stone carvings adorned with rhythmical patterns and curious figures inspire their playful hand engraved motifs. Martin and Laura hand select emeralds, sapphires, mandarin garnets, diamonds and rock crystals to skilfully set in each individual piece.
If you have longed to try on some of their pieces after intensive social media searches, have a bespoke commission in mind such as an engagement ring, a wedding ring or anniversary gift, or are interested to remodel heirloom pieces, stop by for a chat in the Gallery’s private consultation area. Martin and Laura welcome bespoke enquiries, and their designs can be translated for you using alternative metals and your dream gemstone can be sourced to create a truly unique treasure. Martin and Laura will happily discuss using your own gold and gemstones to create a new future heirloom.
Please note the following opening hours: Friday 6 – 9pm, Saturday 10 – 5pm, Sunday 1 – 6pm.

Creative Peninsula Exhibition at North Down Museum
2023-08-02 10:00 - 2023-09-24 16:00 | North Down Museum, Town Hall, The Castle, Bangor, BT20 4BT, United Kingdom
The Long Gallery at North Down Museum will host the Creative Peninsula Exhibition between August 2 – September 17.
Creative Peninsula is one of Northern Ireland’s premier celebrations of art and craft. This thriving annual event features workshops, demonstrations, exhibitions and much more, all taking place throughout the beautiful and picturesque Ards and North Down Borough.

This exhibition will feature unique pieces of art and craftwork specially selected for display in North Down Museum. It is a celebration of the exclusivity and quality of the artwork produced by local artists and craftspeople and a fantastic opportunity to purchase a beautiful piece of art.
A series of Creative Peninsula events including workshops and Craft in the Square will be taking place throughout the month of August.

'Pathways'
2023-08-03 18:00 - 2023-09-15 17:00 | Craft NI Gallery, 115 - 119 Royal Ave, Belfast, BT1 1FF, United Kingdom
Craft NI are delighted to announce the launch of ‘Pathways’, the August Craft Month 2023 exhibition.
The opening reception will take place at Craft NI Gallery on Thursday, 3rd 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 Pathways, whether this was interpreted as a series of connections, reflections of travels or environment, experiences or actions, a personal journey or a journey in making. We’re excited to share with you the various meanings Pathways holds.
Exhibiting makers include:
Adam Frew, Adele Pound, Anne Butler, Elizabeth Johnston, Fiona Kerr, Heather McFadden, Irene McBride, Karen Hamilton, Karena Ryan, Lauren Scott, Maya Todd, Neil Marlow, Patricia Kelly, Patricia Millar, Patrick Colhoun, Pennie Metcalfe, Red Earth Designs, Sam Gleeson, Samantha Moore, Sandra Robinson, Sarah Cathers, Scott Benefield, Shauna McCann, Sue Cathcart, Tamzen Lundy Designs and Tracey Johnston.
This year, Craft NI are joined by special guest curator, Annie Cattrell, maker and tutor at the Royal College of Art. At the opening Annie will award this year’s guild prizes, 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.

Awe & Alchemy
2023-09-15 09:30 - 2023-11-04 16:30 | The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, Armagh, 9 Market Street, Armagh, BT61 7BW
The Association for Contemporary Jewellery and Silversmiths Northern Ireland exhibit Awe & Alchemy, celebrating the diverse approaches towards values, material possibility, sustainability, and social connections, through the art of jewellery and adornment.
Showcasing the work of over 20 ACJ members from across the UK, Ireland and further afield, the exhibition opens on September 15th at Armagh Market Place Theatre Gallery, 7 – 9pm.
ACJSNI have partnered with Goldsmith’s Centre to bring some further projects to NI to coincide with this exhibition.

Re-connecting
2023-10-05 10:00 - 2023-11-03 16:30 | Down Arts Centre, 2 - 6 Irish Street, Downpatrick, Down, BT30 6BP, United Kingdom
Rachel Fitzpatrick is a designer and maker working at the interfaces of art, design and social practice. Re-Connecting explores the artist’s reconnection with making and colour while learning to reframe her creativity living with acquired brain injury. Re-Connecting spans the gallery spaces exploring visual elements of Rachel’s rediscovery of her creativity. Her work initially began with making but with an absence of confidence in colour. The pieces explore reconnection with colour through making, place and storytelling with pieces taking inspiration from stories depicted in native folk songs.

The Alchemy of Print
2023-10-07 11:00 - 2023-11-03 17:00 | R-Space Gallery, 32 Castle Street, Lisburn, BT27 4XE, United Kingdom
‘The Alchemy of Print’ presents an exceptional body of work by Trish Belford, encompassing new processes as well as designs created for famous fashion UK fashion designers.
This exhibition is the culmination of a research and design project by Belford, funded by The Leverhulme Trust. Many of the techniques utilized during the time at Belford Prints (1986-2004) have been revisited to develop the work for ‘The Alchemy of Print’. Samples from the Belford archive sit alongside a range of new samples, exposing the value of technical craft, dyeing and printing expertise.
Trish Belford is a designer, in 1996 she was made an Honorary Fellow of The Royal College of Art, in 2009 The Society of Dyers and Colorists awarded the silver medal for services to the textile industry. From 2004 – 2022 Trish was Senior Research Fellow at the Ulster University and has just completed a research post with the University of The Arts London as project lead for the Business of Fashion and Textiles and Technology, working with William Clark and Sons to deliver a more sustainable beetled linen. She has exhibited locally and internationally, including at the Bangkok International design Festival. She was co-founder and director of Belford Prints (1986-2004), Macclesfield, a creative textile print company working for British fashion designers, such as Vivienne Westwood, Georgina von Etzdort, Neisha Crosland, Jasper Conran, English Eccentrics and Zandra Rhodes.
This exhibition is supported by an Artist Talk on October 28th, 2pm. Please note, the exhibition is open 11am – 5pm Tuesday to Saturday.

RUA Annual Exhibition
2023-10-13 10:00 - 2024-01-02 17:00 | Ulster Museum, BT9 5AB, United Kingdom
The 142nd Royal Ulster Academy Annual Exhibition of Art is taking place at Ulster Museum.
The Royal Ulster Academy is the most enduring body of practicing visual artists in Northern Ireland, and its annual exhibition is one of the highlights of the Northern Ireland arts calendar. The 142nd art exhibition contains over 300 artworks that use a diverse range of materials to create an inspiring variety of artwork by both local artists and artists from across the globe.
Founded in 1879, the Royal Ulster Academy of Arts is the largest and longest established body of practising visual artists in Northern Ireland. One of its founding principles is to organise, promote or join in organising and promoting in any fashion an Annual Exhibition of work by both members and non–members.
This exhibition is on display in Gallery 6 until Tuesday 2nd January 2024. Free to attend and no booking necessary.

Beautiful Work: Artists and Makers and the Creative Process
2023-10-28 10:00 - 2023-11-30 16:00 | The Braid, 1 - 29 Bridge Street, Ballymena, BT43 5EJ, United Kingdom
County Antrim Open Studios (CAOS) is a network of artists and makers who welcome visitors to their studios. Its members not only like to show people their work but they also like to talk about and illustrate some of the skills and techniques involved in their creative process.
Their inaugural exhibition celebrates the first year of County Antrim Open Studios and showcases the work of a wonderfully diverse group of artists and makers including ceramicists, textile artists, a bookbinder, jewellers, a sculptor and a woodcarver. As part of the exhibition, CAOS will also be holding 20 Meet the Maker events. It includes exhibits that have been created using traditional skills as well as those using contemporary and innovative techniques.
CAOS provides the local community, and visitors to the area, opportunities to engage with, and learn about, local artists and craftspeople, and for local County Antrim artists and makers to meet and learn about each other.

Big Bauble Showcase
2023-11-02 10:00 - 2023-12-31 17:00 | 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.
