Craft NI

Art & Soul
2021-06-26 11:00 - 2021-07-18 19:00 (Europe/London) | Culloden Estate and Spa, Bangor Road, Holywood, Belfast, BT18 OEX
Gormleys Fine Art will host Ireland’s most prestigious arts and sculpture event ‘Art & Soul,’ at the 5* Culloden Estate and Spa, Belfast.
Held over 3 weeks, a number of exhibitions and artworks will be on display throughout the hotel and its grounds by leading Irish and International
artists.
Included will be a sculpture exhibition of over 150 artworks from large outdoor pieces to smaller indoor sculptures. Within the hotel there will be
feature exhibitions by Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Patrick O’Reilly, Patrick Hughes, Peter Monaghan, Julian Opie and Stephen Forbes.
The show includes works by NI artists Eamonn Higgins and Chris Wilson.
The Culloden offers the perfect setting for the event, and we hope you will enjoy the vast array of art on view, in beautiful surroundings.

Launchpad Exhibition
2021-06-24 10:00 - 2021-07-22 17:00 | Craft NI Gallery, 115 - 119 Royal Ave, Belfast, BT1 1FF, United Kingdom
The Launchpad Exhibition features work from the four participants in Craft NI’s professional Development Programme, Launchpad 2020-21: Anne Butler (Ceramics), Anna Smyth (Ceramics), Claire Skelton (Jewellery and Metals) and Claire Mooney (Jewellery and Metals).

The Craft NI programme was developed with funding from Arts Council of Northern Ireland and aimed to equip selected makers with the necessary skills to develop a sustainable, creative craft business in Northern Ireland.

Full details, including our interactive online viewer will be live by early July.

Sew Far So Good: Online talk with Selvedge Magazine
2021-06-09 18:00 - 19:00 | Zoom
Stitching as a form of artistic expression, a subversive stitch or embellishment.
Join Selvedge Magazine for a discussion of the different forms stitching and sewing can take as we follow the journeys stitching can take us on.
Includes: Rebecca Devaney, Takashi Iwasaki, Pascal Monteil, Sophie Carr, Leo Chiachio and Daniel Giannone
Virtual Event, hosted on Zoom.

Ceramics Ireland Selected Members Exhibition
2021-06-05 09:30 - 2021-06-26 16:30 | Rathfarnham Castle, 153 Rathfarnham Rd, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, D14 F439, Ireland
The Selected Members Exhibition from Ceramics Ireland is now open in the historic setting of Rathfarnham Castle.
The exhibition is open daily: 9.30am-4.45pm until 26 June.
Admission is free, but booking is advised as places are restricted. Ring +353 1-493 4962 or email rathfarnhamcastle@opw.ie
Image shows work by Co Down artist Patricia Miller

Liminal...[in Review]
2021-06-04 10:00 - 2021-07-24 16:00 | Ards Arts Centre, Town Hall, Conway Square, Newtownards, BT23 4NP, United Kingdom
This group exhibition, curated by visual artist Meadhbh McIlgorm, presents a selection of artworks and event documentation from two temporary, outdoor ‘alleyway exhibitions’ which took place in Belfast within the past year.
Liminal – “relating to a transitional stage” or “occupying a position at both sides of a boundary”.
Within the past year artist Meadhbh McIlgorm has programmed two temporary, ‘alleyway exhibitions’ in Belfast. The city’s alleys are ‘liminal’, transitional sites – their ownership and function is often unclear but they hold much potential for development.
The exhibition concept was piloted with ‘Liminal [Space] Belfast’ in October 2020, supported via the Arts Council Northern Ireland’s ‘Artist’s Emergency Grant’. The project then grew in partnership with research team 9ft in Common and the Imagine Festival of Ideas and Politics to present ‘Limin-Alley’ as part of the festival in March 2021.
This group exhibition in Ards Arts Centre, will bring a selection of artworks and event documentation from both exhibitions back into a traditional gallery setting. It will provide a space to reflect on the project’s development and review emerging themes.
Participants
9ft in Common (Aisling Rusk, Amberlea Neely);
Aaron Dickson
Anna Donovan
Cathy Scullion
Charys Wilson
Dónall Billings
Joe Laverty
Jonathan Brennan
Laura Nelson
Meadhbh McIlgorm
Neal Campbell
Patrick Colhun
Pauline Clancy
Raquel Amat Parra
Susan Hughes
www.liminalspacebelfast.com

ForM Sculpture Exhibition
2021-06-01 10:00 - 2021-06-30 18:00 | Walled Garden Bangor Castle, Valentine Rd, Bangor, BT20 4BT
ForM 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.
This year’s exhibition showcases over 20 sculptures created by artists from across the island of Ireland.
The works are inspired by the beautiful surroundings of the garden and include ceramics, glass, stone carving and metal work
An exhibition map and brochure will be available to download from the Visit Ards and North Down website once the exhibition is open to the public.
More information on Bangor Castle Walled Garden

Traditional Woodturning
2021-05-30 10:00 - 17:30
Stephen Ryan from Green Woodwork Ireland will guide you through all the processes of the ancient craft of traditional pole lathe turning, from cleaving, shaving and turning freshly cut green wood, with the use of the shave horse and pole lathe.
During this one-day workshop, each participant will learn lots of new skills, through the use of the drawknife, roughing gouge, square chisel, spindle gouge and skew chisel to produce items of treen, such as a garden dibber, potato masher, toy sword, rounders bat, rolling pin or woodcarving mallet. All tools and materials are supplied.
This course is suited to all levels including complete beginners. Due to the use of sharp tools during the class, sturdy boots or shoes should be worn. Workshop times are 10.00am to 5.30pm.
Book tickets here: https://www.greenwoodworkireland.com/workshops/traditional-woodturning-2nd-sep-5b694

REMEMBER at R-Space Gallery
2021-05-29 11:00 - 2021-06-25 17:00 | R-Space Gallery, 32 Castle Street, Lisburn, BT27 4XE, United Kingdom
Six artists based in Northern Ireland have been selected from an open call as part of the Materials, Messages and Meaning series at R-Space Gallery.
Now in its ninth year, these exhibitions explore artists’ different approaches to materials, methods of production and messages within their work.
This year selected artists have responded to the theme ‘Remember’, including ceramics, mixed media, super 8 video, film, text, and drawing.
The artists are Hannah Magill, Niamh Clarke, Patrick Colhoun, Rita Duffy, Susan Hughes and Zara Lyness.
Opening Reception: 29 May 2021 (subjuct to prevailing Covid restrictions).
R-Space is open 11am to 5pm Tuesday to Saturday. Free Admission.

10 Week Jewellery Skills Course
2021-05-25 19:00 - 21:00
Robyn Galway is running two 10 week jewellery skills courses from her studio at Sugary Studios on Castlereagh Street, Belfast.
The courses run 7-9pm starting Tuesday 25 May or Wednesday 26 May and all tools and materials are provided.
At time of posting, the Tuesday block is fully booked.
Follow the website link below for full details.

EMERGING TALENT
2021-05-17 10:00 - 2021-06-17 17:00 | Craft NI Gallery, 115 - 119 Royal Ave, Belfast, BT1 1FF, United Kingdom
In partnership with Ulster University and curated by Kim Mawhinney, Senior Curator of Art, Ulster Museum, Craft NI are delighted to present the work of the Ceramics, Jewellery and Silversmithing Graduates of 2020. The work selected presents a range of pieces including functional, non-functional, figurative and abstract works across a breadth of materials, exploring a range of concepts, skills and processes. The exhibition will take place at Craft NI Gallery between Monday, 17 May 2021 and Thursday, 17 June 2021. Some of the works will be available for sale, and the exhibition will also be available to view online.

Maker Meet Up
2021-05-06 11:00 - 12:00
6 May 11am
An informal coffee and chat hosted by Craft NI for makers to check in and stay connected as we edge towards opening up. There is no planned agenda – just an opportunity for you to hear how others are getting on.
You might have questions left over from the recent social media training or outstanding Brexit challenges you’d like to share. Or we might just enjoy the chat. BYO coffee.
Zoom info:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82016017162?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 820 1601 7162
Passcode: [REDACTED]

What Colour is Metal: Meet the Maker Talks
2021-04-22 19:00 - 2021-05-06 20:00
The What Colour is Metal? exhibition will be at Dublin Castle October 2021 to February 2022.
Ahead of the exhibition launch the organisers invite you to join them for a series of Meet the Maker online talks, delivered in partnership by National College of Art & Design and the National Design & Craft Gallery. Each speaker will discuss their work with a focus on the relationship between colour, materials and process.
Details and Booking
Meet the Makers: Session One
Thursday 22nd April, 7pm
With John Moore + Stuart Cairns
Meet the Makers: Session Two
Thursday 29th April, 7pm
With Jessica Turrell + Rebecca de Quin
Meet the Makers: Session Three
Thursday 6th May, 7pm
With Peter Bauhuis + Roxanne Simone

Re:New Wallace #4
2021-04-17 11:00 - 2021-05-14 17:00
R-Space Gallery presents the fourth in a series of collaborative cultural projects involving a Northern Irish artist/maker and the Wallace Collection in London, thus celebrating his historical/cultural connection with Co. Antrim and Lisburn in particular.
Re:New Wallace #4 links the Wallace Collection with the historical past of the Hertford family and their strong links with Lisburn where Sir Richard Wallace was the local MP, benefactor and land-owner.
The selected artist this year is Matthew Wilson, who has developed a series of works inspired by this fascinating collection and the Rococo period.
Details here.

Horizons: Re-Imagining Cultural Sustainability
2021-03-25 12:00 - 17:00
Arts and Business invites you to a free half day conference on Thursday 25th March 2021, bringing together local and international speakers representing funders, UK trusts and arts organisations from Northern Ireland and beyond to discuss and debate how we create the change and culture shift required to build a stronger, healthier arts funding ecology for the longer term.
The NI arts sector was already financially fragile before this pandemic, but there has always been active ambition around income generation and an appetite for exploring new income streams. Consequently, over the last few years, we have been exploring and researching models that would help arts organisations to achieve long term financial sustainability.
On Thursday 25th March 2021, we are delighted to be presenting ‘Horizons: Re-Imagining Cultural Sustainability’, bringing together local and international speakers representing funders, UK trusts and arts organisations from Northern Ireland and beyond to discuss and debate how we create the change and culture shift required to build a stronger, healthier arts funding ecology for the longer term.
Throughout the half-day conference we will be hosting a number of panels, discussing a range of areas, including income sources and risk, funder practice, adapting and strengthening business models, and transformative leadership. We will also be platforming a number of NI Arts organisations through a series of interviews/talks to share how they have adapted, stayed true to their values, purpose and artistic vision, and continued to engage their communities.
Details and registration

NI Science Festival 2021 Explores Linen in Northern Ireland
2021-03-02
NI Science Festival has commissioned a series of three stunning films documenting the past, present and future of the linen industry in Northern Ireland.
Through interviews with key people working in the industry currently, they explore the richness of its heritage as well as what sort of innovative future it might hold.

Collect 2021
2021-02-26 - 2021-03-24
The 17th edition of Collect, the international art fair for contemporary craft and design takes place 26 February – 24 March 2021.
Working with its Advisory Panel, Collect brings you a stunning group of specialist international galleries, showcasing works made in the past five years by living artists.
The Collect gallerists will help you discover some of the exceptional pieces of work on display created by the highly talented artists they represent. At a time when we are unable to come together at Somerset House in London, we are working in partnership with the online art platform Artsy.net for exhibitors to showcase the works for sale online.
Works span many craft disciplines including ceramics, glass, lacquer, art jewellery, precious metalwork, textiles and fibre, wood and paper to works using non-traditional materials including resin and bone.
This year 32 international galleries will be presenting over 400 artists from 35 nations from the UK to Senegal to Japan to the USA ensuring the calibre, aesthetic and breadth of work is outstanding.
The Fair also gives access to free virtual events and talks.

Where:

Organised by Crafts Council

Early-Career Arts Network: February Coffee Morning
2021-02-24 10:30 - 23:30
Arts & Business NI are working in partnership with Young Arts Fundraisers (YAF) to establish a network of early-career cultural professionals working in Northern Ireland, creating development opportunities and hosting regional events to equip the next generation of arts managers.
If you are new to the arts or want the chance to find out more about fundraising, planning, engagement etc as well as be part of a early-career network for peer-support, you are invited to come along.
This virtual coffee morning 10.30 to 11.30 am on Wednesday 24 February will give you the chance to meet your peers, start conversations, and input into the topics we cover and skills we focus on developing over the next few months!
Details here

Where:

Organised by Arts & Business NI

China Now Conference: Cultural Exchange in the New Normal
2021-02-24 - 2021-02-26
UK-China Exchange: Arts and Culture in a Pandemic: 24-26 February 2021
During the COVID pandemic, a growing number of cultural activities in China have moved into virtual spaces, from art exhibitions, festivals and film screenings through to tours of the Palace Museum. To open the conference, we explore some of the innovative digital practices that have transformed the country’s cultural industry over the past year, and how these can empower and enrich future collaborations between China and the UK
The China Now Conference: Cultural Exchange in the New Normal will run online and is an event that will continue to explore developments, promote exchange and connect professionals in the arts and culture sector in China and the UK – you can register now for free using the below links:
https://chinanow.britishcouncil.cn/conference/
https://chinanow.britishcouncil.cn/
Overview of the Schedule:
China Now Conference:Cultural Exchange in the New Normalonline 24-26 Feb
Daily format: 0930 GMT start
• Three one hour sessions focusing on the theme of the day
Day One: Innovation, Art Practice and UK China Cultural Exchange
Arts and Culture in a Pandemic
Many Truths to Speak: Documentary Making during the Pandemic
Mixing Realities: Digital Media Creativity from China
Day Two: Creativity and Sustainability
New Generation of Sustainable Fashion
Cultural Heritage: The Art of Balancing Conservation and the Commercial
Growing Green Culture in China
Day Three: Inclusion Art for All
Art for Change: Curating for All
Living in Community: Architectural Practice in Chengdu and Guangzhou
From Access to Inclusion: Paving the Way for Greater Diversity in China
China Now is a British Council Platform designed to inform and engage UK creatives and cultural leaders by sharing information about opportunities emanating from China. We wish to use the online space to encourage dialogue and to deepen understanding of a contemporary China.
Covid-19 has changed the way we work and we wish to use the conference as an opportunity to review the way our partners are collaborating in both countries and understand what the ‘new normal’ means for international collaboration between artists and cultural organisations
Where:

Organised by British Council

Belfast City Hall Exhibition
2020-10-31 13:00 - 17:00 | Belfast City Hall, Donegall Square North, Belfast, BT1 5GS, United Kingdom

Maker Meet Up 25 June: August Craft Month
2020-09-23 09:00 - 10:00 | Craft NI, 115 - 119 Royal Avenue, Belfast, BT1 1FF, United Kingdom
August Craft Month will have a very different flavour this year. We’re working to re-open the Gallery early in July, but we realise many planned events won’t be able to go ahead. Our PR campaign will be geared to support the whole sector, so please join us for a coffee and a chat to hear about what’s planned and how you can participate remotely, or in person.
Due to a scheduling clash there will not be session at 10.30am on Thursday 25 June.
Our next Maker Meet-Up will be on 4 July when Suzanne Lyle, ACNI will give more info on the SIAP programme.
We will update you on August Craft Month in that session.

Where: Zoom

Maker Meet Up 2 July Suzanne Lyle SIAP
2020-09-23 09:00 - 10:00 | Craft NI, 115 - 119 Royal Avenue, Belfast, BT1 1FF, United Kingdom
ACNI’s SIAP fund is open and Suzanne Lyle, Head of Visual Arts at ACNI will be at our MAKER MEET-UP on THURSDAY 2 JULY to answer questions about the programme. This year, due to the circumstances, artists who currently hold a Support for the Individual Artists Programme (SIAP) Award, will be able to apply again. Applications can be made for project assistance, travel grants or residencies, up to a maximum award of £3,000. http://artscouncil-ni.org/funding/scheme/SIAP.
