Craft NI

Pottery Course - beginners/ intermediate
2024-05-01 19:00 - 2024-06-05 21:00 (Europe/London) | Island Arts Centre, The Island, Lisburn, BT27 4RL, United Kingdom
Join tutor Andrea McCullough-Alderdice and explore the potter’s wheel and full range of hand-building techniques from pinch pots to coil and slab building, whilst experimenting with slips, velvet underglazes and a full range of glazes.
Please note, the course will take place on Wednesdays 1 May – 5 June.

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!

Silver Jewellery Making Workshop
2024-05-07 18:30 - 2024-06-25 21:00 | Down Arts Centre, 2 - 6 Irish Street, Downpatrick, Down, BT30 6BP, United Kingdom
An exciting course which includes a traditional and contemporary approach to jewellery making and design. You will be guided through the basics of annealing, cutting, soldering, doming, texturing and the use of safe enamelling to build towards a little jewellery collection.
Materials and tools: basic materials including copper sheet and wire will be given as part of the class. Individuals may wish to purchase precious metal, stones, etc. as they go along. The price of these can be discussed and advised individually with your tutor. If you have some jewellery making hand tools you can bring them along. The course will take place on Tuesday evenings, details below.
Course tutor: Karen Daye-Hutchinson, owner of ‘Ghost & Bonesetter’ jewellery.

Exhibiting at Collect - Maker Talk
2024-05-09 12:30 - 14:00 | Craft NI Gallery, 115 - 119 Royal Ave, Belfast, BT1 1FF, United Kingdom
The Crafts Council’s Collect showcase every spring in London is the UK’s leading international fair for contemporary craft & design in the UK. In the last two years, ceramist Patricia Millar and glass artist Andrea Spencer have been selected to exhibit at Collect Open, the fair’s platform for pioneering individual artists.
We’re delighted that Patricia and Andrea will give a lunchtime maker talk on Thursday 9th May on their experience of Collect – how they prepared for the show and their experience of exhibiting, we’re looking forward to their reflections.
Thursday 9th May
12-30pm-2pm
Craft NI Gallery

Reserve your place here.
If you have any access requirements, please contact info@craftni.org or call the gallery on 028 9032 9342.

Intro to linocut
2024-05-10 18:30 - 21:00 | The Workshop, 4a Church Street, Ballynahinch, BT24 8AF, United Kingdom
Linocut is an artform that can be as simple or as intricate as you can dream and combines well with other mediums. But first, you have to learn the basics!
In this class, participants will learn about the basic tools, materials, and methods used from the types of mediums they can carve into, different kinds of inks, and different printing methods. They will then be trying their hand at making their own piece, then spend some time practicing different cuts before choosing a subject to carve and print.

Animal Themed Tiles with Figment Ceramic
2024-05-11 10:00 - 2024-05-18 13:00 | Belfast Ceramics Studio, Unit 10E Owen O'Cork Mill, 288 Beersbridge Road, Belfast, Antrim, BT55DX, United Kingdom
In this 2 part workshop Jakki Trainor will guide you through each step of the process to design, make and decorate an animal or bird themed panel, the following week you will then learn how to use glaze to enhance your design and highlight texture.
Established in 2016, Figment Ceramics draws inspiration from Jakki’s love of nature and folklore producing illustrative ceramics that depict both real and imagined flora and fauna. Pattern and impressed decoration are an intrinsic part of Jakki’s trademark style along with her palette of shimmering green and blue glazes. Jakki aims to tell a story in every tile and panel, taking the viewer on a journey into their own imagination.

Making Space: Macramé Masterclass
2024-05-12 13:00 - 17:00 | ASTRL Fibres Studio, 412 Woodstock Road, Belfast, Antrim, BT6 9DQ, United Kingdom
Making Space is a series of workshops that will encourage you to think with your hands, embrace a willingness to play, allow yourself the space to be creative and find connection in the act of making.
Join Alison of ASTRL Fibres for a deep dive into macramé pattern design. Over the course of this 4hr session, Alison will introduce you to an intermediate library of knots and techniques that you will use to create your own wall hanging to take home with you (measurements not exceeding W40cm x L60cm). All the required materials and tools will be provided along with pattern instructions to take home with you for reference. Techniques covered in this course:

Intermediate Mounting Knots
Double Hitch Knot (Horizontal / Vertical / Diagonal)
Square Knot Patterns
Double Hitch Knot Patterns
Finishing Techniques

There will be a short break halfway through this session for a cuppa and homemade treats. Please get in touch if you have any dietary requirements.
Who is this workshop for: This workshop is suitable for those looking to develop their existing macramé skills. Participants must have a basic grasp of tying knots such as the square knot and alternating square knot. The session will be seated and standing in a relaxed setting but the knotting technique is repetitive so you will need to be able knot for the duration of the session. This session is open to ages 12+ but children must be accompanied by an adult. If you have any questions about whether this course is for you, please get in touch: astrlfibres@gmail.com

Open Studio Weekend in Broughshane
2024-05-17 18:00 - 2024-05-19 17:00
Members of County Antrim Open Studios who live in or near Broughshane are welcoming visitors to their studios on the weekend of 17/18/19 May!
Stop by and meet furniture maker Noel McCullough, Rosanne from Willow Leaves Handmade Books, jeweller Vera McCullough or visit The Black Sheep Gallery. Open studio days are ideal for meeting makers in an informal setting, learning about their craft and discussing their work, possible commissions or simply having a leisurely browse!
Please take note of the addresses for individual participants and the opening times below:
Noel McCullough, 100 Cloughwater Road, BT436SZ
Black Sheep Gallery, 125 Knockan Road, BT437JA
Willow Leaves Handmade Books, 105 Knowehead Road, BT437JD
Vera McCullough Jewellery, 18 Hazelbank Road, BT424LP
Opening times:
Friday: 6 – 9pm
Saturday: 11 – 4pm
Sunday: 2 – 5pm

Kids Fused Glass Fish Workshop
2024-05-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Millenium Court, 2 William Street, Portadown, Co Armagh, BT62 3NX, United Kingdom
Come along and make 3 tropical fused glass fish! Kids can use their vivid imaginations to dive into the under sea world and experience new skills to help them complete their designs in mesmerising glass colour, using a variety of glass materials to create different tones and textures.
The children can decide if they want to add hooks before the kiln firing process, so they can choose to either create a mobile with their fish at home afterwards or glue it into a box frame, creating a stunning wall art piece for their room.
Under the guidance of experienced tutor Natasha Duddy, you will be given the opportunity to plan and design your wave template. Glass cutting skills will then be demonstrated individually.
This class is suitable for kids age 8 +

Coiled macrame basket workshop
2024-05-18 14:00 - 16:30 | The Workshop, 4a Church Street, Ballynahinch, BT24 8AF, United Kingdom
Join Alison of ASTRL Fibres and learn how to handcraft a beautiful coiled basket which you can then take home with you. Over the course of this 2.5hr session, Alison will guide you through basic coiling and stitching techniques using recycled cotton cord in one of the four available colour options.
This workshop is suitable for those looking to try a new handcraft and no previous experience is required. The session will be seated in a relaxed setting but the coiling technique is repetitive and some physical hand strength is required. You will need to be able to coil and stitch for the duration of the session. This session is open to ages 12 + but children must be accompanied by an adult.

Making paper birds with Adele Pound
2024-05-21 19:00 - 21:00 | The Craft Room, 24a Frances Street, Newtownards, BT23 7DN, United Kingdom
Make your own paper bird decorations with artist Adele Pound!
Following instructions and demonstrations, participants will learn simple paper cutting and folding techniques in order to cut and assemble a paper bird decoration. Adele will have several designs to choose from and participants will be able to make more than one decoration, time permitting.
All materials and tools will be supplied. Refreshments included.
The workshop space at the Craft Room is on the first floor, accessed via a short flight of stairs.

Dorset Button Making with Debbie McCann
2024-05-23 10:00 - 12:30 | The Craft Room, 24a Frances Street, Newtownards, BT23 7DN, United Kingdom
Dorset Button making began in the 1600s in Shaftsbury, Dorset. It became a thriving cottage industry promoting independence and security for many women and families. Sadly, the introduction of the button making machine in 1851 caused the industry to go into decline.
Dorset Button making is now considered a heritage craft, and once mastered can be adapted to create everything from beautiful buttons to jewellery and decorative art.
In this workshop participants are taken through the history of the Dorset Button and how it can be used today for embellishment or as a piece of quirky jewellery. Debbie McCann will demonstrate how to make a simple cross wheel button and then guide the participants in the creation of their own ideas which might be a piece of jewellery, set of buttons or dream catcher to take home.

2024-05-23 18:00 - 20:30 | ASTRL Fibres Studio, 412 Woodstock Road, Belfast, Antrim, BT6 9DQ, United Kingdom
Making Space is a series of workshops that will encourage you to think with your hands, embrace a willingness to play, allow yourself the space to be creative and find connection in the act of making.
Join Alison of ASTRL Fibres and learn how to handcraft a beautiful outdoor plant hanger to take home with you. Over the course of this 2.5hr session, Alison will guide you through 5 optional knotting techniques:

Common Whipping Knot
Square Knot (net making version)
Snake Knot
Double Overhand Knot
Crown Knot

It is recommended that you bring along a standard size pot (approx 20 – 25cm diameter) to assist in making your plant hanger to size. All other materials will be provided including a stainless steel metal ring and hemp flax rope, both are weather resistant and suitable for outdoor use. If you have a pair of light garden gloves, bring them along as hemp flax is a rough fibre and can be hard on the hands.
Who is this workshop for: This workshop is suitable for those looking to try a new handcraft and no previous experience is required. The session will be seated and standing in a relaxed setting but the knotting technique is repetitive and some physical hand strength is required. You will need to be able to knot for the duration of the session. This session is open to ages 12 + but children must be accompanied by an adult.

Porcelain slipcasting
2024-05-25 10:00 - 15:00 | The Clay Project Studio, 85 Central Promenade, Newcastle, BT33 0HH, United Kingdom
Join local ceramicists Rebecca Killen and Laureanne Kootstra for a masterclass exploring the creative process of slip casting.
During this workshop you will have the opportunity to work with porcelain casting slip, a selection of plaster moulds and coloured porcelain. You will also learn about refining your cast pieces and how to apply surface decoration.
We will fire three of your cast porcelain pieces ready to be collected from The Ash Gallery in 2-3 weeks.
*Tea, coffee and vegetarian lunch from our neighbours at Birch all included in cost of workshop. Please let organisers know of any dietary requirements.
*All materials and firings included in cost of workshop.

Armagh Craft Fair 2024
2024-05-25 10:30 - 16:30 | The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, Armagh, 9 Market Street, Armagh, BT61 7BW
The Armagh Craft Fair returns on May 25th! A great opportunity to see and purchase contemporary and traditional craft, see craft demonstrations and enjoy hands on experiences. The programme includes exhibitions, stalls, creative workshops, talks, music and entertainment.
A highlight will be the children’s FREE drop in crafts and art experiences – a wonderful day out for the entire family!

Throwing Workshop with Adam Frew
2024-05-31 10:00 - 2024-06-01 16:00 | Adam Frew Studio, 21 Cullycapple Park, Aghadowey, BT51 4AS, United Kingdom
Join Adam Frew for this two day workshop – classes will be small groups of 4-6 students, suitable for all levels, from beginners to improvers. The emphasis of the class will be on using the potter’s wheel to make a variety of thrown porcelain vessels. Students will be guided through the basics of throwing and also turning (finishing) pots. Adam will demonstrate his various decoration techniques and students will be encouraged to be experimental in their approach. There will be flexibility in the teaching allowing students to request specific demonstrations or help with a particular technique.
Students will each select their best pots to be fired. Finished pieces will be glaze fired in the gas kiln and ready 3-4 weeks after the course for collection/ shipping can be arranged.
Tea, coffee and lunch is provided.

Transferring Images to Clay with Donna Bloye, Winner of the Pottery Throwdown
2024-06-01 10:00 - 16:00 | Belfast Ceramics Studio, Unit 10E Owen O'Cork Mill, 288 Beersbridge Road, Belfast, Antrim, BT55DX, United Kingdom
In this full day workshop, Donna will lead you through her process for hand-building using hump molds and decorating a dish. Her aim is to encourage potters to consider the decoration of their piece at the make stage rather than after bisque firing a piece.
Decoration will be applied using a mono-printing method, which allows you to use small-scale production techniques, without the commitment of burning a silk screen. Imagery can be traced repeatedly and altered for each new dish, be it by the addition of further layers of drawing or by changing the colour scheme.
Donna will demonstrate her mono-printing process, which begins with a template drawing onto a new piece of newsprint that she then traces using slip trailers. Once the underglaze has dried on the newsprint, she will begin filling in the design with colour, texture and mark-making, using a range of brushes, before finally transferring the image to her dish and shaping it on the hump mold. By the end of the workshop each participant will have a dish, fully decorated, which can then be bisque fired and finished using a transparent glaze. Donna would encourage participants to bring photos or images to inspire their work.

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.

Elements of Place - Formed by Fire
2024-06-05 08:00 - 17:00 | Andrea Spencer Glass, 35 Lagavara Road, Ballintoy, BT54 6NG, United Kingdom
Elements of Place – Formed by Fire is a 5 day flamework, filati (hand pulled glass threads) and micro-mosaic workshop aimed specifically at practicing glass and mosaic artists. The workshop is designed to expand creative practices through exploration of these complementary hot and cold glass working techniques, in combination with simple casting, use of found natural and manmade forms, and field trips to study the dramatic natural landscape of the local Causeway Coast of Northern Ireland, from which we’ll draw inspiration for our work during the week.
Andrea Spencer (glass) and Joanna Kessel (mosaic) are highly regarded artists within their specialist fields, frequently exhibiting their contemporary artworks nationally and internationally. The natural environment informs both their current work.
This unique combined workshop developed out of a research period Joanna undertook at Andrea’s studio, supported by the Inches Carr Creative Development Award. Both artists found the research potential fascinating, recognising the exciting dialogue between the materials, processes and artforms.
Dates: 6 – 10 May 2024
Venue: Benefield Spencer Glass, Ballintoy, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland, UK
Price: £965 pp
Level: The workshop is aimed at practicing glass and mosaic artists. No prior flameworking experience is necessary.
No. of participants: The workshop has been designed to accommodate 6-8 participants. We require a minimum of 6 bookings for the workshop to run. If the workshop becomes fully booked we will keep a waiting list.
Included:
Expert tuition by two experienced artists
9-5pm daily over 5 days
Studio access and guided field trips
All studio materials and equipment
Transport to field trips from the studio. (If we have 8 participants someone will need to share their car).
Refreshments
5 light lunches
2 simple evening meals (workshop participants only) Bonus evening field trip
Bonus evening studio session

'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).

Porcelain Paper Clay with Anne Butler
2024-06-08 10:00 - 14:00 | Belfast Ceramics Studio, Unit 10E Owen O'Cork Mill, 288 Beersbridge Road, Belfast, Antrim, BT55DX, United Kingdom
Learn the processes that artist Anne Butler uses to integrate pattern into porcelain as well as some of the construction techniques that Anne uses! At the end of the workshop you will have created your own sheets of porcelain using porcelain paper clay with an integrated and inlaid pattern and will have successfully constructed your own vessels or sculptures.
Week 1/8th June: Introduction to making paper clay & working with flat sheets. Anne will instruct you on how to make a small plaster batt that you will take home to use with your own work then you will have the opportunity to learn how to make thin sheets of porcelain with an integrated pattern/design. These are then joined to make a vessels. Anne will demonstrate the processes and participants can explore the methods and create their own vessels. The work will be biscuit fired and you’ll have the opportunity to glaze this work in week 2 Masterclass or alternatively if you attend week 1 only the unglazed work will be high fired and ready to pick up at the end of June.
Week 2/22 June: Working with paper clay & working with vessel forms. Building on week 1 Anne will demonstrate the processes and participants can explore the methods and create their own bowl/ vessels/ or small sculpture. Small group sizes ensures that you will receive individual attention and gain the confidence to develop your own work. There will be opportunities to discuss your work with Anne at the end.

Please note: you have the option of booking each workshop individually for £120 or both workshops together for a more in-depth course for £220.

Make a Pendant Wax Workshop
2024-06-08 10:30 - 13:30 | Craft NI Gallery, 115 - 119 Royal Ave, Belfast, BT1 1FF, United Kingdom
Learn how to carve and texture your own pendant design using an ancient technique used for the last 7,000 years. Guided by Martin and Laura from Cameron & Breen, you will learn about lost wax casting, how to effectively use wax carving tools and shown how to hand carve and texture your pendant in wax ready for casting in silver.
Your pendant will be taken for casting in silver by Martin and Laura, cleaned up and ready for you to collect from Craft NI Gallery two weeks after the course or shipping can be arranged.
Please note: you don’t need to have any prior jewellery training to take part in this workshop. It is designed for beginners but will also suit anyone wanting to expand their jewellery making skills. Classes will be small groups of maximum 6 people.
All materials and equipment will be provided. You will be working on small scale pieces so if you need glasses please bring them along.

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.

Never Drying Towels
2024-06-14 10:00 - 2024-06-16 18:00 | YES Hub, St. Columb’s Hall, 10a Newmarket St, Orchard St., Derry/Londonderry, BT48 6EB, United Kingdom
Morta Jonynaité is a textile artist from Vilnius who will exhibit her beautiful, fragile textiles exhibition ‘Never Drying Towels’ in St. Columb’s Hall, a former, popular entertainment venue for the hundreds of Derry’s Factory Girls.
‘Never Drying Towels’ is a series of hand-woven towels inspired by Lithuanian folk traditions. In the past, towels on hand-carved towel racks were representative of the family – the piece of fabric, which came with the bride’s dowry, was like an altar piece, reflecting the sacred nature of marriage. Nowadays, it would be farfetched to relate a towel drying on a ladder heater to anything other than its primary function, i.e. the constant cycle of wiping and drying. The notion of the family is also changing: it is no longer a silent, finite fabric but a constantly evolving, fluid organism.
This exhibition forms part of The Sixteen Nations, which celebrates female creativity, and the YESHub 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.

Make at pendant wax workshop
2024-06-15 10:30 - 13:30 | Craft NI Gallery, 115 - 119 Royal Ave, Belfast, BT1 1FF, United Kingdom
Learn how to carve and texture your own pendant design using an ancient technique used for the last 7,000 years. Guided by Martin and Laura from Cameron & Breen you will learn about lost wax casting, how to effectively use wax carving tools and shown how to hand carve and texture your pendant in wax ready for casting in silver.
Your pendant will be taken for casting in silver by Martin and Laura, cleaned up and ready for you to collect from Craft NI Gallery two weeks after the course or shipping can be arranged.
DO I NEED TO BE A JEWELLER TO TAKE PART?
No, you don’t need to have any prior jewellery training to take part in this workshop. It is designed for beginners but will also suit anyone wanting to expand their jewellery making skills. Classes will be small groups of maximum 6 people.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
You don’t need to bring anything along, all materials and equipment will be provided. You will be working on small scale pieces so if you need glasses please bring them along.

Felted Landscapes with Jennifer Cunningham
2024-06-15 11:00 - 14:00 | The Workshop, 4a Church Street, Ballynahinch, BT24 8AF, United Kingdom
Jennifer Cunningham is a local textile artist who works out of her home in Dundrum, County Down.
She specialises in beautiful felted scenery and landscape pieces of her local surroundings getting inspiration from the Mournes and surrounding areas.
Come join Jennifer as she takes you through the needle felting process to create your own felted picture. All materials will be provided and no skill level is required. Your finished piece will be framed ready to take home at the end of the workshop.

Ceramic Pet Portrait Workshop
2024-06-19 18:30 - 21:00 | The Workshop, 4a Church Street, Ballynahinch, BT24 8AF, United Kingdom
Join in for a creative two-part ceramics workshop with Jakki Trainor of Figment Ceramics using your pet, real or dreamed of, as inspiration. In this two-part workshop you will create a relief clay panel of a chosen pet or favourite animal. Cats, dogs, guinea pigs, terrapins can be immortalised in your clay creation! You will develop key skills in mark making, adding textures and patterns to create detail and character in your relief clay panel of your pet.

In week one, Jakki will guide you through the design process, demonstrate successful mark making and relief assemblage and assist you in creating your personal piece of artwork.

In week two you will be introduced to the art of glazing. Jakki will demonstrate the use of underglazes and glazes and you will complete your ceramic panel in a range of colourful glazes. Your completed panel will be fired by Jakki and will be available for collection the following week from The Workshop Ballynahinch. You can choose to hang your panel directly on the wall – hanging ribbon supplied – or purchase a box frame to showcase your ceramic pet creation.

Cost includes all materials for both sessions and refreshments.

Recommended for ages 15+

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
