Photo: Hand carved and jointed ‘Gigi’ wooden cats; Maker: David Cousley; Photo credit: Craft NI
August Craft Month, the largest annual celebration of craft on the island of Ireland has officially launched! An incredible line-up of almost 500 events are taking place on both sides of the border this August, from hands-on workshops, demonstrations and exhibitions, to open studios and markets. Brought together by Design & Crafts Council Ireland (DCCI) and Craft NI, the programme showcases the exceptional talent, creativity and craftsmanship found throughout Ireland.
Benefield Spencer Glass, the North Antrim Coast’s only glassblowing studio, is inviting you behind the doors of their private studio to experience the magic of molten glass. Hands on glassmaking experience at Benefield Spencer Glass studio, located just a few miles inland from Ballintoy village. The experience includes demonstrations by professional glassmaker Andrea Spencer and takes a step … Continue reading Glassmaking Experience – Glass Making From Nature, Colours Of The Causeway Coast
The Association for Contemporary Jewellery and Silversmiths Northern Ireland exhibit Awe & Alchemy, celebrating the diverse approaches towards values, material possibility, sustainability, and social connections, through the art of jewellery and adornment. Showcasing the work of over 20 ACJ members from across the UK, Ireland and further afield, the exhibition opens on September 15th at … Continue reading Awe & Alchemy
Rachel Fitzpatrick is a designer and maker working at the interfaces of art, design and social practice. Re-Connecting explores the artist’s reconnection with making and colour while learning to reframe her creativity living with acquired brain injury. Re-Connecting spans the gallery spaces exploring visual elements of Rachel’s rediscovery of her creativity. Her work initially began … Continue reading Re-connecting
‘The Alchemy of Print’ presents an exceptional body of work by Trish Belford, encompassing new processes as well as designs created for famous fashion UK fashion designers. This exhibition is the culmination of a research and design project by Belford, funded by The Leverhulme Trust. Many of the techniques utilized during the time at Belford … Continue reading The Alchemy of Print
The 142nd Royal Ulster Academy Annual Exhibition of Art is taking place at Ulster Museum. The Royal Ulster Academy is the most enduring body of practicing visual artists in Northern Ireland, and its annual exhibition is one of the highlights of the Northern Ireland arts calendar. The 142nd art exhibition contains over 300 artworks that … Continue reading RUA Annual Exhibition
County Antrim Open Studios (CAOS) is a network of artists and makers who welcome visitors to their studios. Its members not only like to show people their work but they also like to talk about and illustrate some of the skills and techniques involved in their creative process. Their inaugural exhibition celebrates the first year … Continue reading Beautiful Work: Artists and Makers and the Creative Process
In this five-week course Fiona Shannon will teach participants the basics of hand-building including slab building, coiling, pinch pots and using press moulds to create a variety of different pots such as vases and bowls. In the last session, they will add colour to your pots using a variety of slips. Should participants have any … Continue reading 5-Week Hand-Building Course for Beginners & Improvers (Series 2)
The Big Bauble Showcase is a yearly staple at Craft NI Gallery, featuring a wide range of unique handmade baubles, in limited ranges or one-offs. The event is a highlight for visitors who come back each year to add to their collection. Stop by to admire and pick up a meaningful gift - these unique … Continue reading Big Bauble Showcase
Learn the basics of throwing on the pottery wheel to create a variety of different pots, mugs and bowls. You’ll also learn turning techniques and how to add handles and feet. In the last week you will add colour to your pots using a variety of slips. Should you have previous experience, Fiona Shannon will … Continue reading 5-Week Throwing Course for Beginners & Improvers
Craft NI Gallery are delighted to invite you to their Christmas exhibition, Ag925 /Au750 / Journeys in Silver and Gold. This will show new work from NI makers and a few special guests - the audience will enjoy seeing how they've responded to the theme with a play upon the silver and gold hallmarks! Conveying … Continue reading ‘Ag925 – Au750 / Journeys in Silver and Gold’
Craft NI Gallery are delighted to invite you to a very special night to of new seasonal work by NI designer-makers! Come along Thursday, November 2, 6 - 9pm (Late Night Art) at Craft NI Gallery for the opening night of not one, but two of our most special events: the Christmas exhibition, 'Ag925 - Au750 / … Continue reading Christmas exhibition and Big Bauble Showcase grand opening!
Ceramics artist Anna Donovan uses clay to tell stories through figurative sculptures. This curious exhibition will feature ceramic and mixed media sculptures playing with imagery inspired by a variety of mythological creatures combined with familiar carnival and circus tropes. Characters will have evolved from clowns, mermen, acrobats, strong men, and bearded ladies, to create a … Continue reading ‘Curious Carnival’
Ceramic Artist Fiona Shannon will guide you through designing and making your Christmas gingerbread house which you can use for your festive table. Designed for beginners, this class will be a fun creative environment to get crafty using a range of clay techniques. Your gingerbread house will be fired to be collected at a later … Continue reading Ceramic Gingerbread House Workshop
Contemporary designer and weaver Karolina Lisek from Little Tangle hosts a one-day tapestry weaving workshop exploring the art of hand weaving in a modern context. Karolina will teach the foundation skills of tapestry weaving with participants using her new larger sized frame looms. Participants will create an abstract wall hanging using a range of techniques … Continue reading Contemporary Weaving Workshop
Stop by for a lovely evening and an opportunity to browse for crafts, art and other seasonal gifts handmade by local artisans. Admission is £5 and all proceeds go in the aid of Air Ambulance N.I.
One of the most popular festive markets on the North Coast returns! The Christmas Craft Market opens on Saturday 11 November from 10am-4pm and continues until Thursday 21 December. In the Christmas Craft Market visitors will find unique, handmade presents - from pottery and fashion accessories to jewellery and glass homeware, beautiful artwork, artisan food … Continue reading Christmas Craft Market
Join in for a festive workshop making multiple Christmas decorations. Each participant will be given a sheet of porcelain to make beautiful fine porcelain decorations impressed with lace or textured rollers and personalised with letter stamps to make each one individual! Each child that attends this class needs to be accompanied by a parent for … Continue reading Kids Christmas Decorations
Participants will use a jeweller's pierce saw to create a beautiful brass ornament, and choose from a selection of designs that are beginner-friendly. If time allows, they'll also be able to add additional texture and personalised stamping to their ornament and their choice of eco-friendly ribbons to finish it all off. This is a small … Continue reading Pierce-Sawn Brass Ornaments
Join local ceramicists Rebecca Killen and Laureanne Kootstra (The Clay Project) for a Christmas workshop exploring the creative process of slip casting to make a pair of Christmas baubles. 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 … Continue reading Slip Casting Christmas Baubles Workshop
Join us at Tetto at The Bullitt Hotel, Belfast for Tales of Glass celebrating the “tales of folks” and the folktales surrounding glassmaking in Tyrone. Hear from Gary and Ciara Currie - the founders of Tyrone Crafted Glass - who’ll share the history of Tyrone Crystal, their story of setting up a new glass design venture as … Continue reading Tales of Glass
Come along to the Tyrone Glass Experience Open Studio, for a guided glass tour and workshop at their new studio space in Dungannon. This experience gives you the opportunity to get to know glass-making up close - from the stories behind glass objects - including their treasured glass sword - to the origins of glassmaking … Continue reading The Tyrone Glass Experience: Open Studio
Ever wanted to turn your junk mail and scrap paper into something beautiful and handmade? This 2-hour workshop will go through the basics of paper making using a mould and deckle and participants will get to try their hand at the craft with plenty of hints and tips from Dee to assist. No experience needed. … Continue reading Intro to Papermaking
Gel plate printing is a unique, fun and creative way to create artworks. During the course of this workshop, participants will explore a variety of ways to use the Gel plate to create their own designs. Using inks and paint along with a range of Italian printing papers, fabrics , found objects and foliage, they … Continue reading Gel Plate Printing and Collage
Come and visit a unique shopping experience this Christmas at North Down Museum. Browse the museum’s galleries, which are filled with beautiful hand-made products from local artists and makers. The perfect place to get that special gift and support your local crafters. The shop is free to explore during normal opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday … Continue reading Pop-up Christmas Shop
This fused glass workshop is a gentle introduction to glass fusing, specifically designed for complete beginners. During the 5 hour session during which you will learn about glass fusing, types & compatibility and tools, various design techniques and safety in the studio. Participants will make up to 3 Christmas decorations. A number of designs will … Continue reading Kiln Fused Glass Christmas Decorations
The Burnavon Winter Craft & Food Fair is back for 2023, showcasing some of the most talented crafters and food producers from across the country. There will be a range of handmade jewellery, art, textiles, homeware, artisan food makers, and more, all available to buy on Saturday 25 November. This is an ideal opportunity to … Continue reading Burnavon Winter Craft & Food Fair
A special ceramic group show which brings together the work of 18 established artists who have been invited to consider form, function and/or flourish, and create work that demonstrates the breadth of expression, skill and innovation in contemporary ceramics. The exhibition continues until 21 December, and includes makers such as Malcom Murchinson, Anna Donovan, Claire … Continue reading Form | Function | Flourish
North Down Museum is hosting a special Late-Night Christmas Shopping event at its Pop-Up Christmas Shop. Join in for an evening of music, artists demonstrations and shopping. The museum will be festively decorated, the coffee shop will be open, the visitors will be able to see the museum and purchase unique gifts in a completely … Continue reading Made in AND Late-Night Christmas Shopping
In this workshop with textile designer, Debbie McCann, you will be introduced to the heritage craft of Dorset Button making and shown how these fascinating buttons can be made into stunning Christmas decorations to adorn your tree. All materials will be supplied including plenty of sparkly yarn and ribbon in festive colours. Max No: 8 … Continue reading Festive Dorset Button Making Workshop
Castle Ward will host its Christmas Artisan Market from 1-3 December. In the theatre space and Stable yard you will find a handpicked selection of local designer/makers and food vendors showcasing their work and locally produced products– a great day out and opportunity to pick up locally handcrafted Christmas products. The Stable yard will be … Continue reading Christmas Artisan Market
Support your local artists and makers and be inspired to purchase a wonderful handcrafted Christmas gift, made in the borough of Ards and North Down! For a unique shopping experience, join the makers and artists of the Creative Peninsula as the popular Christmas Fayre makes a welcome return to Ards Arts Centre for 2 days … Continue reading Creative Peninsula Christmas Fayre
Ceramic Artist Fiona Shannon will guide you through designing and making your Christmas gingerbread house which you can use for your festive table. Designed for beginners, this class will be a fun creative environment to get crafty using a range of clay techniques. Your gingerbread house will be fired to be collected at a later … Continue reading Ceramic Gingerbread House Workshop
Support your local artists and makers and be inspired to purchase a wonderful handcrafted Christmas gift, made in the borough of Ards and North Down! For a unique shopping experience, join the makers and artists of the Creative Peninsula as the popular Christmas Fayre makes a welcome return to Ards Arts Centre for 2 days … Continue reading Creative Peninsula Christmas Fayre
Castle Ward will host its Christmas Artisan Market from 1-3 December. In the theatre space and Stable yard you will find a handpicked selection of local designer/makers and food vendors showcasing their work and locally produced products– a great day out and opportunity to pick up locally handcrafted Christmas products. The Stable yard will be … Continue reading Christmas Artisan Market
