Royal Hillsborough Christmas Market
2021-12-10 15:00 - 21:00 (Europe/London) | Hillsborough Fort, 6ae, 32 Main St, Hillsborough, BT26 6AE, United Kingdom
With the festive season just around the corner, Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is delighted to announce its first Royal Hillsborough Christmas Market, which will be set up along The Dark Walk and Hillsborough Fort. Due to popular demand, the market will take place over two days, Friday 10thDecember from 3pm-9pm and Saturday 11th December from 10am-3pm.
Expect festive entertainment, lots of artisan food and of course, crafts! Local craft people will showcase their work, and ideal opportunity to pick up Christmas gift and support the local economy. An impressive line up of craftspeople includes Wendy Ward Design, LG Jewellery, Ruth Osborne Art and Lauren Fowler Handcrafted Company all taking part.

Benefield Spencer Glass Holiday open studio/Christmas sale
2021-12-11 | Benefield Spencer Glass Studio, 35 Lagavara Road, Ballintoy, Co. Antrim, BT54 6NG, United Kingdom
Benefield Spencer Glass invite you to their Holiday open studio and Christmas sale on Saturday, December 11 at 10am.
Scott Benefield and Andrea Spencer will conduct ongoing narrated demonstrations of glassblowing on their open studio day, allowing the public to watch this process and ask questions, and offer a range of samples, prototypes and studio seconds for sale at discounted prices. All ages are welcome and no prior registration is necessary.
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Glassblowing is a fascinating process involving constant activity as the molten glass is shaped by tools, gravity and centrifugal force and visitors are able to see a simple functional object made from start to finish in about 15 minutes. Glassblowing is part of the industrial heritage of Ireland that has all but disappeared, and the demonstrations offer a way to experience this rarely-seen activity in a safe, relaxed setting.

Social distancing will be observed and all visitors are encouraged to wear a face covering and use the available sanitizing products.

Glassmaking
2022-01-18 14:00 - 17:00 | Flowerfield Arts Centre, 185 Coleraine Road, Portstewart, BT55 7HU, United Kingdom
If you are feeling inspired by Northern Ireland’s beautiful beaches and outdoor walks, during this course your tutor Natasha Duddy will teach you how create a pair of fused glass panels (15 x 15 cm) to enjoy all year round in your home. You will learn glass-cutting skills and layering of glass frits and enamels to help you create two beautiful beach scenes. You will then choose to frame them in a box frame or mount them individually in free standing bases, or slump them into a shallow plate shape. No previous experience required.
Please note: no open toe sandals or footwear allowed.

Clay Throwing
2022-01-19 19:00 - 2022-02-09 21:00 | Flowerfield Arts Centre, 185 Coleraine Road, Portstewart, BT55 7HU, United Kingdom
On this 4-week course with tutor Fiona Shannon you will learn the key stages of wheel throwing on the pottery wheel and the basics of ceramics. Fiona will encourage you to produce functional items using stoneware clay (cost includes 2 bags for each participant). After completing a piece they will then go on to be fired in the kiln by the tutor. You can purchase additional clay should you wish to create more work. This course is suitable for beginners, 18+ and the dates are as follows: January 19, 26, February 2 and 9.
Please note: short sleeves, old trousers and an apron are recommended but clay washes off easily; your finished piece will need time to dry out and be fired twice in Flowerfield’s kilns. Your work will be ready for collection 4 weeks after the date of your workshop.

Plant Hanger Workshop
2022-01-23 14:00 - 16:00 | Boom Studios, 80 Main Street, Bangor, BT20 3AH, United Kingdom
A class suitable for beginners – if you have never tried macrame before it will help you master the basic knots, and create a simple yet effective Plant Hanger. Claire from Nodo Knots has designed a new plant hanger pattern for this workshop, so is also suitable for anyone has previously attend a Plant Hanger Workshop but would like to try a different design.
The class includes all the materials you will need to complete the project.

Glassmaking
2022-01-25 14:00 - 2022-01-30 17:00 | Flowerfield Arts Centre, 185 Coleraine Road, Portstewart, BT55 7HU, United Kingdom
In this workshop your tutor Natasha Duddy will teach you glass-cutting skills to help you create four glass tiles representing the trees through each season – Spring/Summer/Autumn and Winter. You can chose to hang them in a window or frame them in the one box frame or mount them individually in free standing bases. No previous experience required.
Please note, no open toe sandals or footwear allowed.

Land and Lore
2022-01-28 10:00 - 2022-03-05 16:00 | The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, Armagh, 9 Market Street, Armagh, BT61 7BW
Textile artist Ruth Osborne’s exhibition will explore the relationship between nature, landscape and folklore, which can shape our understanding and responses to the natural world. This exhibition brings together textile art, printmaking and natural materials to inspire a connection to nature and explore the historical symbolism and beliefs embedded in our landscape.

Valentines Fused Glass
2022-01-29 10:00 - 14:00 | The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, Armagh, 9 Market Street, Armagh, BT61 7BW
Create a unique and lasting gift for a loved one this Valentines by designing and creating fused glass decorations. Under the guidance of glass artist Keith Sheppard ,you will work with different coloured glass to make two glass pieces from a choice of three options: love heart sun-catcher, heart shaped coaster or heart shaped hanging decoration. You can make up your own simple design at the workshop or use the templates provided by the tutor. Keith will teach you various design techniques, demonstrate the tools required for glass cutting, as well as how to work safely and handle glass with confidence. Your completed fused glass decorations will be taken back to Keith’s studio for firing and returned to the venue one to two weeks later for collection.
All tools and materials will be provided. You may wish to bring your own safety glasses. Please wear suitable clothing and flat shoes.
Please note: completed glass decorations will not be returned by post – collection only from the venue; maximum number of participants is 10; suitable for 16+

Glassmaking
2022-02-01 14:00 - 17:00 | Flowerfield Arts Centre, 185 Coleraine Road, Portstewart, BT55 7HU, United Kingdom
Choose your favourite bird and using glass skills, you will use a glass mosaic effect to design and create your bird sculpture. Your tutor Natasha Duddy will show you techniques that include glass-cutting, grinding and combining glass enamels and frits. Metal wire will be attached to your bird so you can add it to your base of choice afterwards. No previous experience required.
Please note, no open toe sandals or footwear allowed.

'Curved with Intent'
2022-02-03 10:00 - 2022-03-27 17:00 | Craft NI Gallery, 115 - 119 Royal Ave, Belfast, BT1 1FF, United Kingdom
Craft NI are delighted to welcome you to ‘Curved with intent’, an exhibition of contemporary design in wood. ‘Curved with intent’ is Craft NI’s first event of a varied 2022 exhibition programme and promises to raise interest in the beautiful medium of wood and admiration for the talented Northern Irish designer-makers who work with it.
Wood as a construction material and man have had a very long relationship – not surprising since it is so extraordinarily versatile. The ability to create curved forms in wood is an example of its extreme adaptability to different needs and types of objects and construction, and it perfectly illustrates the theme of the exhibition – gentle and purposeful mastery that transforms a simple organic material into beautiful and/or functional craft objects.
Wood can be shaped in many ways, and the work displayed in the exhibition will demonstrate both a variety of objects and methods, including carving, turning, laminating, steam bending and cutting from solid.
The participating designer-makers are David Cousley, Mark Hanvey, Ronan Lowery, Brian McKee and John Piekaar.
Each participating designer-maker speaks through their work to the audience of their own particular relationship with the material: the shapes they produce are more or less practically and/or aesthetically purposed. They are very deliberately envisaged – they are curved with intent.

Silversmithing techniques
2022-02-03 14:00 - 2022-02-24 16:00 | Ards Arts Centre, Town Hall, Conway Square, Newtownards, BT23 4NP, United Kingdom
Under the guidance of tutor Diane Lyness, you will learn a variety of jewellery techniques including soldering, piercing, shaping, texturing metal and polishing. During this 4 weeks course, participants will work through the design and creation of a piece or pieces of jewellery. If you have attended previous workshops this is a great opportunity to build on the skills you already have.
Please note: materials and tools included; tools/materials will not be shared during class at this time and must be cleaned before and after each use. Basic materials including copper sheet and wire will be given as part of the class.

Individuals may wish to purchase precious metal and stones, etc along the way.

'Curved with Intent' - Meet the Makers!
2022-02-03 17:00 - 20:00 | Craft NI Gallery, 115 - 119 Royal Ave, Belfast, BT1 1FF, United Kingdom
Craft NI are delighted to invite you to the opening night of ‘Curved with Intent’, their upcoming exhibition of contemporary design in wood.
Craft NI Gallery will take part in Late Night Art Thursday, February 3rd between 5pm – 8pm. Join us and meet the designer-makers exhibiting in ‘Curved with Intent’ – a great opportunity to ask them about their inspiration, processes or enquire about future commissions!
‘Curved with intent’ is Craft NI’s first event of a varied 2022 exhibition programme and promises to raise interest in the beautiful medium of wood and admiration for the talented Northern Irish designer-makers who work with it.
Wood as a construction material and man have had a very long relationship – not surprising since it is so extraordinarily versatile. The ability to create curved forms in wood is an example of its extreme adaptability to different needs and types of objects and construction, and it perfectly illustrates the theme of the exhibition – gentle and purposeful mastery that transforms a simple organic material into beautiful and/or functional craft objects.
Wood can be shaped in many ways, and the work displayed in the exhibition will demonstrate both a variety of objects and methods, including carving, turning, laminating, steam bending and cutting from solid.
The participating designer-makers are David Cousley, Mark Hanvey, Ronan Lowery, Brian McKee and John Piekaar.
Each participating designer-maker speaks through their work to the audience of their own particular relationship with the material: the shapes they produce are more or less practically and/or aesthetically purposed. They are very deliberately envisaged – they are curved with intent.

WWt Castle Espie Group Exhibition
2022-02-05 11:00 - 2022-02-27 16:00 | WWT Castle Espie, 78 Ballydrain Rd, Comber, Newtownards, BT23 6EA
North Down Craft Collective have organised a group exhibition at WWT Castle Espie wetlands showcasing a selection of ceramics and art from selected designer-makers. Running from the 5th to the 27th of February in the Graffan galleries, the exhibition will have work available for sale via the Castle Espie retail team with a catalogue available in the gallery. Keep an eye on North Down Craft Collective’s socials – there will be artists in-stu on various days.

Ceramics
2022-02-12 10:00 - 16:00 | Flowerfield Arts Centre, 185 Coleraine Road, Portstewart, BT55 7HU, United Kingdom
This one day course is designed for beginners (18+). You will be taught how to make sculptural forms to create a decorative vase for your spring table. After completing your vase it will then go on to be fired in the kiln by your tutor, Fiona Shannon. You can purchase additional clay should you wish to create more work.
Please note: short sleeves, old trousers and an apron are recommended but clay washes off easily; your finished piece will need time to dry out and be fired twice in Flowerfield’s kilns. Your work will be ready for collection 4 weeks after the date of your workshop.

Introduction to stone carving
2022-02-24 19:00 - 2022-04-06 21:00 | The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, Armagh, 9 Market Street, Armagh, BT61 7BW
During this 6 weeks stone carving course you will learn to carve V-cut letters or basic images in stone, incising into the material to create the shadow and light that crisply define letters with no need for paint.
Tutor Johnny Kerr will introduce you to the carving tools and you will begin by carving numbers or initials on a 30cm x 30cm piece of sandstone to practice, then try a more ambitious piece – perhaps a family name or image on 60cm x 30cm sandstone to complete your finished piece.
Please note this course is aimed at beginners (maximum number 10, 16+); all materials, tools and safety gear supplied. There will be a break on March 17th.

Ceramic Jewellery
2022-02-25 19:00 - 2022-03-11 21:00 | The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, Armagh, 9 Market Street, Armagh, BT61 7BW
In week one, ceramic artist Ciara Campbell-Crawford will teach you how to design and create a delicate necklace with a set of matching earrings using the finest porcelain clay and coloured underglazes. Add intricate details using wooden and rubber stamps and rolling pins. Your clay designs will be taken back to Ciara’s studio, where she will fire and glaze them in her kiln. In week two, you’ll be given the opportunity to add fittings such as earring hooks, studs and diamanté to finish your pieces, ready for you to wear home that evening.
A week between classes is required to allow time for your ceramic jewellery to dry before assembling and decorating on week two.

Maximum 10 participants, 16+

Contemporary Weaving - Abstract Wall Hanging
2022-02-26 10:00 - 16:00 | The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, Armagh, 9 Market Street, Armagh, BT61 7BW
This one day tapestry weaving workshop explores the art of hand weaving in a modern context. Your tutor Karolina Lisek from Little Tangle will teach the foundation skills of tapestry weaving using a frame loom. Participants will create an abstract wall hanging using a range of techniques such as plain weave, rya knotting and sumak. As well as covering the basic techniques, the workshop will encourage individual expression and experimentation through the use of texture, colour and composition.

Maximum number of participants is 10; all materials will be provided.

Glassblowing Workshop
2022-02-26 10:00 - 16:00, 2022-03-04 10:00 - 16:00 | Helen Hancock Glass Studio, Derry
This one day workshop will provide an introduction to glassblowing – you will be working with specialist equipment and tools, and with a furnace running at 1150 degrees. You will learn how to spin your own glass plate and create a bespoke jug.
Please note: protective eyewear and long sleeves are essential; strictly for 16y+; only 4 places available.

Clay Creations
2022-02-26 10:30 - 12:30 | Flowerfield Arts Centre, 185 Coleraine Road, Portstewart, BT55 7HU, United Kingdom
Explore the world of clay in this workshop as you hand-build an animal under the careful supervision of tutor Fiona Shannon. This workshop is designed for beginners and improvers – participants do need little dexterity in their hands to work with clay. Using air dry clay, they can take their animal home, paint it and leave it to dry.
Please note: this workshop is aimed at 10-14 year olds. Short sleeves, old trousers and an apron are recommended but clay washes off easily. Please bring a box in which to take your animal home.

Clay Throwing
2022-03-02 19:00 - 2022-03-23 21:00 | Flowerfield Arts Centre, 185 Coleraine Road, Portstewart, BT55 7HU, United Kingdom
On this 4-week course you will learn the key stages of wheel throwing on the pottery wheel and the basics of ceramics. Your tutor Fiona Shannon will encourage you to produce functional items using stoneware clay (cost includes 2 bags for each participant). After completing a piece they will then go on to be fired in the kiln by the tutor. You can purchase additional clay should you wish to create more work.
The workshop will take place on Wednesdays: 2, 9, 16, 23 March.
Please note: Short sleeves, old trousers and an apron are recommended but clay washes off easily. Your finished piece will need time to dry out and be fired twice in Flowerfield’s kilns. Your work will be ready for collection 4 weeks after the date of your workshop.

Bending Glass
2022-03-03 12:00 - 2022-03-06 18:00 | Flax Art Studios, Havelock House, Ormeau Road, Belfast, BT7 1EB, United Kingdom
Initiated and organised by artist Johanna Leech with support from Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive (DFA) in partnership with Flax Art Studios, Bending Glass tells the story of master glass bender and neon sign maker Adrian McNevison of AM Light. This exhibition illuminates the former UTV studios with artworks made from light and archive footage from the UTV vaults.
Courtesy of the UTV Archive, this is illustrated throughout with footage of local television programming which was made visually distinctive by neons supplied by McNevison. Presented alongside the screenings and stills are contemporary neon artworks produced by AM Light for Michael Hanna, Stuart Calvin and Johanna Leech, self-made neons by Kevin Killen, lightboxes by Susan Hughes, a written guide by Paula Blair, and a video interview with McNevison and his son Chris.

Please note the exact opening hours below:
Thursday, 3rd of March: 4pm – 9pm (Opening night, Late Night Art)
Friday, 4th of March: 12 – 6pm
Saturday, 5th of March: 12 – 6pm
Sunday, 6th of March: 12 – 6pm

Silver Smithing: Silver Stacking Rings
2022-03-05 10:00 - 16:00 | The Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre, Armagh, 9 Market Street, Armagh, BT61 7BW
Spend a day under the guidance of Goldsmith Diane Lyness as you make a pair of silver stacking rings. Each participant will be taught traditional jewellery making techniques such as piercing, soldering, shaping, texturing and polishing to create a beautiful pair of rings to take home. Personalise and add colour to your ring by adding one or two semi-precious stones. No previous experience is required. All you need to bring is an apron and bundles of enthusiasm!

Please note there is a maximum of 10 participants; suitable for 16+

3D Needle Felting
2022-03-05 10:00 - 16:00 | The Burnavon, Burn Road, Cookstown, BT80 8DN, United Kingdom
During this one day workshop local textile artist Andrea Hayes will demonstrate the dimensional qualities of felt. Discover the wonderful art of needle felting as Andrea shares a wide range of tips and techniques providing you with a step by step guide. By the end of the day you will have created your very own 3D needle felted blue tit.
Please note: there will be a short break for lunch (bring your own). Suitable for 16+

Arm Knitting
2022-03-05 10:30 - 13:30 | The Designerie, 88 Main Street, Antrim, Bushmills, BT57 8QD, United Kingdom
This workshop is ideal for beginners and knitters alike; your tutor Jill Gurney will show you how to knit with your arms, making your very own cosy throw, approx. 70cm x 145cm.

The cost includes all materials & light refreshments supplied (please message when you book to let organisers know what colour you would like: pearl, dove grey, mushroom pink, denim, mustard or sky blue).

Nature Printing: Printmaking with Plants
2022-03-05 10:30 - 16:00 | Stranmillis University College, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT9 5DY, United Kingdom
This workshop will provide a short overview of the history of the art of nature printing followed by a practical printmaking session exploring mark making, pattern and design using a range of fresh and dried plants. With the help of tutor Ruth Osborne, participants will create a range of unique prints using Irish Linen and Italian papers and will have the option to frame their work at the end of the session.
All materials are provided.

Needle Felted Spring Hare Workshop
2022-03-06 11:00 - 14:30 | Stone Row Artisans, 1st Floor, 2-6 Stone Row, Coleraine, BT52 1EP, United Kingdom
During this 3 hour workshop, you will learn the art of 3D needle felting with textile artist Claire McDowell of Bad Bird Craft. Suitable for both beginners and those with some experience of felt work, you will go through all the basics of felting carded wool to create a soft sculpture of a hare; participants will learn how to create a basic wire armature and how to sculpt their 3D sitting hare using a combination of different tones of wool.
The little hare will be finished off with glass amber eyes and a tiny dried flower and ribbon wreath.
All materials and tools for this project will be supplied. Refreshments will also be available throughout the workshop.
Please note: Stone Row Artisans is located on the 1st floor of the old Laura Ashley Building. Unfortunately there is no lift facility in the building. Please remember to wear your mask/ visor during the workshop unless you are medically exempt. Social distancing measures will be in place and hand sanitiser will be provided.

Mr Papers Workshop
2022-03-11 14:00 - 17:00 | Top Floor Art Gallery & Open Studios, 92 Main Street, Saintfield, Ballynahinch, Down, BT247AB, United Kingdom
Top Floor Art are offering a fun workshop based on the Peggy & Mr Pegman creative kit which was designed during their Great Kit Challenge 2021.
Sue Cathcart and her humorous Mr Papers character will take part in this fun afternoon where participants will help Peggy create a beautiful outfit to impress the Lord Mayor as she has been invited to a party at Belfast Castle!
Workshop including Peggy Kit – £35
Workshop only (for those who have already purchased their kit) – £15
Numbers are limited, book by email or ring Emma on 07828570837

Flameworking Essentials
2022-03-12 09:30 - 2022-03-13 16:00 | Andrea Spencer Glass, 35 Lagavara Road, Ballintoy, BT54 6NG, United Kingdom
Flameworking Essentials is a two day workshop for people who want to learn methods and techniques of working with Borosilicate glass at the torch. During the class, glass artist and tutor Andrea Spencer will cover the fundamentals of working with solid rod and hollow forms. Participants will have the opportunity to learn flame working skills and techniques that will allow them to experiment, practice and construct with glass at the torch. Techniques will include gathering, shaping, stretching, sculpting, bridging and blowing.
The working day will be structured around demonstrations and plenty of individual practice (and guidance) at the torch. The class will be focused on exploration and investigation rather than finished products. There will also be discussions about studio set up, the different families of glass that can be used at the torches along with guidance about what equipment will work best for individual practise.
For more information or to apply for a place please contact andreaspencerglass@gmail.com

Introduction to slip casting
2022-03-12 10:00 - 16:00 | The Ash Gallery, 83 Central Promenade, Newcastle, BT33 0HH, United Kingdom
Join local ceramicists Rebecca Killen and Laureanne Kootstra for a full day workshop 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.
Three of your cast porcelain pieces will be fired and ready to be collected from The Ash Gallery before 26th March.
Tea, coffee and lunch provided.
