Craft NI

August Craft Month 2024
2024-08-01 10:00 - 2024-08-31 17:00 (Europe/London) | 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
___________

'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.

Big Bauble Showcase
2024-11-07 10:00 - 2024-12-30 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!

'Brilliant Generations' Christmas exhibition
2024-11-07 18:00 - 2024-12-31 17:00 | Craft NI Gallery, 115 - 119 Royal Ave, Belfast, BT1 1FF, United Kingdom
Craft NI’s 2024 Christmas selling exhibition ‘Brilliant Generations’ will open November 7, 6 – 9pm at Craft NI Gallery, Belfast, and run until December 31st!
This year’s Christmas exhibition will showcase the impressive creations of our local designer-makers and aim to inspire discerning shoppers with new, exciting work: whether it is jewellery that sparkles, ceramics with an innovative twist, new exciting work in textiles or wood, Craft NI Gallery are looking forward to sharing their newest creative endeavours with you!
‘Brilliant Generations’ will encompass key messages about what Northern Irish craft has to offer, and hint at the emotions associated with finding the perfect festive gift: awe at the skills and creativity of our local makers; the thrill of discovering a unique handcrafted gift; and the wonder of (re)discovering something new and exciting about craft (and craft makers) Northern Ireland.

In Praise of Shadows
2024-12-12 10:00 - 2025-01-18 16:00 | Ards Arts Centre, Town Hall, Conway Square, Newtownards, BT23 4NP, United Kingdom
A solo exhibition by Maya Todd, ‘In Praise of Shadows’ is an evocative exploration of the interplay between fibre and form, where the boundaries of textiles are pushed to create three-dimensional sculptural shapes.

This exhibition showcases the delicate and ethereal qualities of linen and Irish wool, materials chosen due to their importance in local heritage.
Through the meticulous construction of these textiles, the artist captures and casts shadows that continuously shift and transform, creating a dynamic relationship between light and form. The result is a captivating dance of shadows, inviting viewers to contemplate the transient nature of light and the subtle beauty of crafted textiles.

'Surface matters'
2025-01-23 10:00 - 2025-02-15 16:30 | Ards Arts Centre, Town Hall, Conway Square, Newtownards, BT23 4NP, United Kingdom
‘Surface matters’ is group exhibition by the Loft Artists, a professional collective of artists based at The Mill, in Bishop Mills, Portaferry.

The exhibition will feature works by Sara Brown, Owen Crawford, Sally Houston, Kate Rebbeck, and Cecilia Stephens responding to the title of Surface Matters. The work showcased will be an outcome from developing the artists interpretation of the local environment, history, and heritage.
By use of richness in colour, forms and mark making, the artists aim to connect to the viewer, to challenge our contemporary relationship with our land and sense of place.

'Makers Who Teach: ME. HERE. NOW.'
2025-03-06 18:00 - 2025-05-02 17:00 | Craft NI Gallery, 115 - 119 Royal Ave, Belfast, BT1 1FF, United Kingdom
Building on the success of the first ‘Makers Who Teach’ exhibition which took place in 2023, Craft NI are pleased to invite you to the 2025 edition of this unique event. This year’s theme, ME. HERE. NOW. highlights the creative practices of makers who teach others as part of their overall practice, whether it’s in classrooms, workshops and communities.
The show focuses on their current creative endeavours and it shines a spotlight on their recent works, ensuring they are seen and appreciated not only as teachers, but also as makers. As they balance teaching and making, with the demands each makes on the other, these talented makers are ready to share with the public their private artistic practice, influences and inspiration. Whether it is textile art, jewellery, glass, ceramics or interdisciplinary installations, this exhibition offers a rare glimpse into these makers’ private inner world – and the creativity it contains.

Exhibiting makers: Aisling Higgins, Alison Gault, Andrea Hayes, Carol Wiley, Clare Bowe, Heather Burgess, Helen Hancock, Jonathan Williams, Justine Bonenfant, Louisa McCartney, Maggie Napier, Natasha Duddy, Nichola Dalton, Patrick Colhoun, Ruzica Ruane, Sandra Kerr, Scott Benefield, Shauna McCann, Theresa Kelly, Tracey Johnston.

Peter Meanley - A Journey
2025-03-22 14:00 - 2025-04-17 16:00 | Island Arts Centre, The Island, Lisburn, BT27 4RL, United Kingdom
‘Peter Meanley – A Journey’ runs from 22 March to 17 April at Island Arts Centre – a retrospective exhibition celebrating an over sixty-year career as a potter! Known for his salt glaze stoneware, Peter’s inspiration comes from museum collections and drawing the world around him. His work is held in worldwide collections including Victoria & Albert Museum, and the State Collection of Australia.

Decoys & Ghosts
2025-04-15 08:00 - 17:00 | Golden Thread Gallery, 84-94 Great Patrick St, Belfast, BT1 2LU, United Kingdom
‘Decoys and Ghosts’ at the Golden Thread Gallery is an ambitious exploration of two recurring sculptural themes in John Rainey’s work over the last 10 years – imitation and revisiting. Materials, their histories and associated processes have always formed a core component of his practice.
In the staging of work in exhibitions, Rainey aims to create environments and designed experiences where groupings of sculptures form relationships and act as installations. Plinths become sculptural extensions, evolve into dioramas, or morph into viewing platforms for audiences to climb.
This exhibition will feature a combination of retrospective and new work by the artist, centered around a new large scale installation. As the the broadest survey of Rainey’s work to-date, it will be an opportunity to explore recent developments in his practice, alongside works that trace his path to this current moment.

Corinne Price Trunk Show
2025-05-20 10:00 - 2025-06-03 17:00 | Craft NI Gallery, 115 - 119 Royal Ave, Belfast, BT1 1FF, United Kingdom
Stop by and get to know the work of Belfast based ceramicist Corinne Price! The trunk show features Corinne’s brand-new collection of work which celebrates all that is fresh and fragrant this season. Inspired by foliage and flowers, the collection showcases several distinct ranges which converse with one another. The nerikomi vessels are hand-built using slices of clay, usually patterned, and have a sharp, crisp quality to the design which contrasts with their asymmetrical forms. The wheel-thrown neriage vessels, on the other hand, record the swirling movement of their creation in the fluid striations of their swirls, contrasting with their symmetry. Many iterations between the two have arisen, and visitors will be able to see the results around the gallery.

'Imprints in the Earth'
2025-05-25 10:00 - 2025-06-22 16:30 | WWT Castle Espie, 78 Ballydrain Rd, Comber, Newtownards, BT23 6EA
In this joint exhibition, 11 artists respond to the theme of ‘Imprints in the Earth: Shaping Place through Clay’. The works explore connections between landscape, heritage, and the art of clay. The exhibition invites viewers on a journey through the Northern Ireland landscapes where clay becomes both a canvas and a storyteller.
‘Imprints in the Earth’ explores how the natural world shapes human experience and how ceramics, in turn, becomes a medium to capture those impressions. Each piece embodies the textures, rhythms, and stories of this place, reflecting its tides, its soils, and its human connection.
The artists taking part are: Anna Donavan, Alison Hanvey, Tracey McCoey, Brenda Morgan, Eleanor Wheeler, Patricia Millar, Jacki Trainor, Joanne Gault, Donna Boyle, Anna Smyth, Tracey Johnston.
The exhibition is on in the Graffan Gallery; free admission.

'Art of the Possible'
2025-05-30 10:00 - 2026-11-30 17:00 | Ulster Museum, BT9 5AB, United Kingdom
Over the past decade, the Ulster Museum has collected a significant number of important artworks from around the world—many of which have never been seen by the public until now.
Art of the Possible features over 40 artworks made from glass, ceramics, silver, metalwork, jewellery, and wood. These works were created by some of the most talented and important artists and designers working in these materials today.

Belfast School of Art: Product, Ceramics, Silversmithing & Jewellery Degree Show 2025
2025-06-06 18:00 - 2025-06-21 14:00
The BDes (Hons) Design (Product, Ceramics, Silversmithing & Jewellery) Degree Show celebrates the work of graduating students from the Product Design, Ceramic Design, Silversmithing & Jewellery pathways at Belfast School of Art. This exhibition brings together a diverse collection of outcomes, reflecting a strong culture of innovation, material exploration and critical design thinking.
Across the pathways, students have developed innovative responses to contemporary issues, producing objects that are conceptually rich and materially grounded. The work on display encompasses product design, furniture, lighting, ceramic design, jewellery and metalwork, demonstrating a deep engagement with process, form and function.
Rooted in making, the exhibition highlights how ideas are shaped through hands-on experimentation and refined through technical skill. From speculative designs to functional artefacts, each piece reveals a personal approach to design and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of their chosen medium.
The degree show offers a glimpse into the future of design, where tradition meets experimentation, and where making remains central to innovation.

Opening Night:
Friday 6th June 2025, 6pm to 9pm
Location: BB-04, Belfast School of Art
Exhibition Continues:
Saturday 7th June to Saturday 21st June 2025
Open daily (excluding Sundays) from 10am to 5pm
Final Day: Saturday 21st June 2025, closing at 2pm

Brian McKee & Mary Callan Trunk Show
2025-06-20 10:00 - 2025-07-02 17:00 | Craft NI Gallery, 115 - 119 Royal Ave, Belfast, BT1 1FF, United Kingdom
Craft NI Gallery’s upcoming trunk show juxtaposes two different disciplines and mediums: shown alongside one another, Brian McKee’s furniture and Mary Callan’s textile art find common ground in a celebration of design and craftsmanship!

Brian McKee is a furniture designer-maker based in Co. Down, Northern Ireland. Brian’s primary constructional method is the steam bending of timber, which he employs to unlock the creative potential of bent wood in the design and production of useful and attractive, contemporary, handmade furniture.

And if you’ve watched ‘Derry Girls’ you might remember Ma Mary’s ‘Ulster Fry’ sweater – Mary Callan is the knitwear designer who made it! She is also the creative force behind ‘Callan’, a niche creative knitwear company based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, which specialises in well made, colourful and fun fashion knitwear.

Scott Benefield Trunk Show
2025-07-03 10:00 - 2025-07-28 17:00 | Craft NI Gallery, 115 - 119 Royal Ave, Belfast, BT1 1FF, United Kingdom
Scott Benefield’s trunk show at Craft NI Gallery shines a light on the beauty of blown glass – stop by to learn about the Filigrana technique which goes back to 16th century Venice!

Scott Benefield’s work draws upon a particular heritage in the history of glass: the golden age of 16th century Venetian glassblowing. Filigrana is blown glass made with colourless, white, and sometimes coloured canes – this style originated on the island of Murano in the 16th century and spread rapidly to other parts of Europe. Scott Benefield’s Filigrana functional glassware comes in a range of vibrant summer colours, perfect for gifting or adding a pop of colour to your interior décor. Larger scale decorative works will also be shown alongside his functional range.

Scott Benefield is internationally known as a glassblower specialising in Venetian cane techniques, as well as a workshop leader and a writer covering issues pertinent to contemporary studio glass. Scott has exhibited his work at the Royal Ulster Academy annual exhibition in 2012-2015, the British Glass Biennale in 2015, as well at galleries in Ireland, England, Scotland, the US, the Netherlands, Japan and China.
He works from his studio which is an old farm property on the rugged north Antrim coast, just outside of the village of Ballintoy in Northern Ireland. All of the work is designed, produced and finished entirely by hand.

August Craft Month
2025-08-01 08:00 - 2025-08-31 17:00 | Island of Ireland, Island of Ireland
Established in 2021 and organised by Design & Crafts Council Ireland and Craft NI – the two national bodies for craft in Ireland – August Craft Month is an all island celebration of Ireland’s unique craft sector!
This year’s fantastic August Craft Month programme brings together an array of talented makers hosting over 300 events across the island of Ireland. With the kids off for summer, friends coming to visit or planning staycations for the whole family, there has never been a better time to do something different. From creating your own suncatcher, to sculpting a clay puffin, August is the month to put craft and the joy of making on your radar! That pottery class you’ve always wanted to take? Now’s the time! Whether it’s the excitement of trying your hand at the throwing wheel, catching inspiring exhibitions with friends, seeing makers in action in their studios or finding free activities to occupy the kids during the holidays.

Head over to www.augustcraftmonth.org to browse and book events, and follow @augustcraftmonth25 on social media for all the latest news and updates.

'Common Threads'
2025-08-21 09:30 - 2025-09-13 17:00 | Island Arts Centre, The Island, Lisburn, BT27 4RL, United Kingdom
The second edition of the Northern Ireland Linen Biennale’s headline group exhibition, where flax and linen—whether as story, medium, or substrate—serve as the common thread across a range of fine and applied art practices. Curated by artist and creative producer Meadhbh McIlgorm, the exhibition celebrates the slow, considered, and skilful labour of artist-makers. A theme of weaving runs through much of the work, highlighting interdependence over fragmentation: as in a weave, no thread stands alone. Instead, something is formed collectively through a series of crossovers and junctions. Weaving echoes life—our common ground, shared heritage, and collective material future are all interwoven with the politics of fibre and fabric.
Participating artists:
Helen O’Hare & Wilma Kirkpatrick, Heidi McKenzie (Canada), Zoe Gibson, Lucy Moore (RoI), Maya Todd, Jude Fenton, Margaret B. Russell (USA), Andrea Dickson, Sharon Adams, Karen Hamilton, Kathy Kirwan (RoI, Alison Pascoe, Emily McIlwaine, Claudia Rose

'Sgrafitto'
2025-09-23 10:00 - 2025-11-09 16:00 | North Down Museum, Town Hall, The Castle, Bangor, BT20 4BT, United Kingdom
A solo exhibition of work by ceramic artist Jakki Trainor.

The ‘Sgraffito’ exhibition explores how decorative mark making and sensitive carving can reveal detail, pattern, light and shade.
Jakki draws inspiration from a love of nature and folklore, producing illustrative ceramics depicting both real and imagined flora and fauna that aim to engage the viewer in unravelling the narrative.

'Flaxen'
2025-09-27 11:00 - 2025-10-24 17:00 | R-Space Gallery, 32 Castle Street, Lisburn, BT27 4XE, United Kingdom
R‑Space Gallery is pleased to present ‘Flaxen‘, the first solo exhibition in Northern Ireland by British textile artist Alice Fox, as part of the Linen Biennale Festival.
‘Flaxen’ is a collection of new works by Alice Fox, exploring the flax plant at every stage: from whole dried stems to unspun fibre. The works are woven or otherwise constructed to highlight the plant’s strength and delicacy, resulting in textured, structural pieces across different scales.
Since 2017, Fox has cultivated small plots of flax on her allotment in West Yorkshire, studying how growth and retting conditions affect fibre quality. In 2024, she led a collaborative flax‑growing project at Kestle Barton, Cornwall, cultivating a 200‑square‑metre crop with the help of staff and volunteers. By sowing flax simultaneously at both sites, she created an opportunity to compare environmental impacts 400 miles apart.
The resulting works incorporate flax at various stages and explore both its strength and fragility, offering a textured, structural celebration of this versatile plant.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Alice Fox to Northern Ireland for her first solo exhibition here,” says Meadhbh McIlgorm, Linen Biennale Programme Manager at R‑Space Gallery. “Her work is a rare combination of craft, ecology, and experimentation. Visitors will experience how traditional textile techniques can reveal the beauty and resilience of plants like flax, while also encouraging reflection on sustainability, environment and our relationship with the material world.”
About Alice Fox
Alice Fox is a UK‑based textile artist whose practice combines found and reclaimed materials with techniques such as stitch, weave, and basketry. With a background in physical geography and nature conservation, her work engages with landscape, materiality, and sustainability. She works from her studio and allotment in Saltaire, England, and exhibits, lectures, and teaches workshops nationally and internationally.
Her publications, including Wild Textiles and new book Wild Weave, explore similar themes of working with natural fibres and materials, reflecting her commitment to experimental and sustainable textile practice.
The exhibition will include an online artist talk on 14 October 2025 at 6pm.
Gallery Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 11am – 5pm
Opening Reception: Saturday 27 September, 2–4pm
Admission: Free and all welcome
