ForM Sculpture Exhibition
2024-06-01 10:00 - 2024-06-30 18:00 (Europe/London) | 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, 2024-06-22 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, 2024-06-26 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

Silver Necklace or Earrings Workshop
2024-07-27 10:00 - 16:00 | Ards Arts Centre, Town Hall, Conway Square, Newtownards, BT23 4NP, United Kingdom
Spend a day of fun in the workshop with tutor Diane Lyness and create a beautiful pair of sterling silver earrings or a necklace. Make it for yourself, or why not gift it to someone special!

Each participant will be taught traditional jewellery making techniques by Goldsmith Diane Lyness, such as piercing, soldering, rolling, annealing and polishing. Diane will work alongside you as you design and make your own unique piece of jewellery to take home.
No previous experience is required. All you need is an apron and bundles of enthusiasm.
Lunch break 12.30pm – 1pm.
Please bring a packed lunch, drink, and an apron.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CraftFest at Castle Ward
2024-08-03 10:00 - 2024-08-04 16:30 | Castle Ward, Castle Ward, Strangford, Downpatrick, BT30 7BA
CraftFest 2024 at Castle Ward will take place on 3-4 August – join in for an amazing weekend of creativity and fun! Visitors will have the opportunity to explore an array of handmade crafts from talented local artists, designers, and artisans. From glass and ceramics to woodworking and painting, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. Visitors can also look forward to live music, a vibrant atmosphere and delicious food and drinks from local vendors.

Please note, there is no admission fee but visitors need to purchase the National Trust Normal Entry Price. (child and family tickets are available)

Monoprinting with plants - Experience AND 2024
2024-08-15 18:00 - 21:00 | Seacourt Print Workshop, Old Ulster Bank Building, Main Street, Bangor, Down, BT20 5AF, United Kingdom
Join local Artist Penny Brewill at Seacourt Print Workshop for a summer evening of playful printing with plants, in the beautiful old bank building right in the centre of Bangor.
On arrival, your inspiration will be a wide variety of plants and botanicals. You may choose the plants you wish to use, to
create your bespoke print. Using nature as your inspiration you will experiment with inking up plants and leaves, then printing them directly onto paper through our beautiful Rochat press. You will be able to take home a small edition of prints.
Things to note
Basic materials including inks and cartridge paper will be provided. Wear something you don’t mind getting inky, or bring an apron – however there are some here to borrow too. No open toed shoes please.
Over 18 yrs only.

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

‘Contemporary Art of Northern Ireland #5’
2024-09-09 09:30 - 2024-10-05 16:30 | Island Arts Centre, The Island, Lisburn, BT27 4RL, United Kingdom
Gallery 545 and the Island Arts Centre are delighted to present their fifth annual major showcase celebrating contemporary art created in Northern Ireland. The exhibition features over twenty accomplished artists who have achieved significant recognition, and presents a large and diverse art selection. Artworks displayed in two galleries include exquisite glass art and textile gems, vibrant abstracts, works inspired by the beauty of nature, fascinating figures and stunning sculptures.
Viewers are invited to take a visual journey through the galleries to discover artists and art, and appreciate the wealth of talent in the region.
Featuring: Lisa Ballard, Justė Bernotaitė, Ronan Bowes, Majella Clancy, Craig Donald, Ray Duncan, Emma Fitzpatrick, Spencer Glover, Karl Hagan, Elham Hemmat, Eamonn Higgins, Ashely B. Holmes, Janet Keith, Patricia Kelly, Louise Lennon, Judith Logan, Alison Lowry, Sinead McKeever, Sarah McWilliams, Tracey McVerry, Maria Perry, Latisha Reihill and Anushiya Sundaralingam.
This exhibition is curated by Francesca Biondi, Art Director at Gallery 545. It will be accompanied by tours and talks, and details will be published online.
Opening reception – Saturday 7 September 2-4.30pm
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Portadown Bird Park - Kids Paper Craft Workshop
2024-09-14 11:30 - 12:30 | Millenium Court, 2 William Street, Portadown, Co Armagh, BT62 3NX, United Kingdom
During this workshop, children will create and colour in their own birds for the opening event for the paper craft exhibition on Saturday 14th September.
Participants will create a park with birds paying homage to Portadowns natural local ecology. The birds will be constructed out of paper using a template that will be customised and coloured by the participant and then create trees for them to perch in. The work can be added to the exhibition or taken home.
This workshop will be facilitated by tutors Adele Pound and Sue Cathcart.
This class is suitable for kids age 6+
Children must be accompanied by an adult

Textile Art Workshop with Anushiya Sundaralingam
2024-09-14 14:00 - 16:00 | R-Space Gallery, 32 Castle Street, Lisburn, BT27 4XE, United Kingdom
Create textile art inspired by your journeys with artist Anushiya Sundaralingam. Bring photos of your favourite places, and use your creativity and felt fabrics to transform your memories into a colourful textile picture you can take home. Materials will be supplied.

Suitable for adults of all abilities.

Hand Stitched Wall Hanging
2024-09-14 14:00 - 16:30
Join Heather from Bluebell Stitches in one of her fun-filled creative classes: you will spend the afternoon making a beautiful textile hand-stitched ‘Home’ Wall Hanging using hand-quilting running, blanket and back stitches where Heather will guide you through these simple stitching techniques.
Heather’s pieces are inspired by nature and this is illustrated in the fabrics she works with. She always has little added touches in her creations and you can be sure this one is no different. She has a love for natural textiles, lace, ribbons and buttons.
By the end of the class you will have created a wall hanging using beautiful homespun fabrics, crochet lace, a button, ‘Home’ label and hand embroidery stitches and you will be taking away a unique piece of textile artwork with the added detail of a lovely ‘handmade with love’ label.
All materials will be provided. It is suitable for adults of all levels (16+)from the complete beginner to the more accomplished stitcher where everyone is welcome and encouraged to enjoy their creative time, learning and growing together.

'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.

Whiterocks wet felting workshop
2024-09-21 10:30 - 13:30 | The Designerie, 88 Main Street, Antrim, Bushmills, BT57 8QD, United Kingdom
Participants will learn the basics of wet felting with merino wool and silk fibres to create a ‘painting with wool’. Tutor Linda Lewis loves to share her enthusiasm for the craft – the inspiration for this popular workshop is ‘Whiterocks Beach’ .
No experience necessary and suitable for all levels of ability.
This workshop will take place in The Designerie’s 1st floor Workshop Studio (please note there is no lift available).
