Enjoy a variety of eclectic events in Belfast this month
A month-long celebration of local craft makers across Ireland is well underway and this August Craft Month a host of exciting events are taking place in Belfast.
Celebrating the vibrant local craft scene, people will have the chance to experience exhibitions, demonstrations and workshops across a variety of crafts right on their doorstep as well as supporting local makers by buying products and learning more about their work.
Local makers such as Jodi Coyne, Anna Donovan, Cara Murphy and Helen Noble will all be involved in the celebrations and events this year.
The programme provides unmissable opportunities to experience, participate in, support, buy and learn about the local stand-out craft sector and, with 168 events on offer across Northern Ireland, provides the perfect excuse to hit the road for a craft inspired adventure or staycation.
Here are some of the many exciting events taking place in Belfast:
- August craft month exhibition: Pathways
Location: Craft NI, 115-119 Royal Avenue, Belfast
Date: Thursday 3rd of August to Friday 15th September, (Craft NI is closed on Sundays).
Price: Free
This exhibition aims to celebrate and profile excellence in Northern Irish Craft with makers asked to respond to the theme of Pathways, a nod to the journeys audiences make to visit August Craft Month from across the island and beyond.
When creating pieces for this exhibit, makers were free to interpret the theme of pathways how they wished, whether as a series of connections, reflections of travels or environment, experiences or actions, a personal journey or a journey in the making.
Exhibiting makers include: Adam Frew, Adele Pound, Karen Hamilton, Pennie Metcalfe, Red Earth Designs, Sarah Cathers, Tamzen Lundy Designs and Tracey Johnston.
- Fibre to Fabric: Ulster University Seminar
Location: Ulster University, York Street, Belfast
Date: Wednesday, 16th of August, 10am to 12pm
Price: Free
Join researchers Alison Gault and Anna Duffy and guest speaker, Mourne Textile’s creative director, Mario Sierra, for an interactive seminar on the innovative project aiming to restore Northern Ireland’s textile heritage.
The project’s mission is to restore vintage flax processing and spinning equipment to create a sustainable circular supply chain in Ireland.
A unique opportunity to engage with industry experts, attendees will have the opportunity to talk with the speakers and learn about the project’s heritage restoration and sustainability efforts firsthand.
- Wall Head Planter
Location: Top Floor, Conway Mill, 5-7 Conway Street, Belfast
Date: Saturday, 19th of August, 10am to 4pm
Price: £70
Join ceramicist Anna Donovan at Conway Mill to spend a day making a stoneware clay wall mounted head into which a plant can be homed.
Using a press mould of a generic form of a human face each piece is added to and manipulated by the participant to create a unique character.
Participants are advised to bring a packed lunch.
- ‘The Craft of Learning’ with Cara Murphy
Location: Ulster Museum, Stranmillis Road, Botanic Garden, Belfast
Date: Thursday, 17th of August 1pm-2pm
Price: Free
As part of August Craft Month an award winning Northern Irish contemporary silversmith, Cara Murphy is talking about her work, skills and approach to experimentation in this not to be missed event at the Ulster museum.
Cara’s work is held by both private and public collectors across the world and include commissions from 10 Downing Street and the design of several Randox Grand National Trophies.
The talk will focus on Cara’s career and explore how crafts people continuously strive to learn more to better their own skills and share their knowledge with others.
This important initiative is delivered by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Craft NI in partnership with Design & Crafts Council Ireland.
For more information, and to see the list of events taking place across the island visit www.augustcraftmonth.org.
Share your own adventures by tagging @craft.ni, @augustcraftmonth23 and use the hashtags #augustcraftmonth2023 and #makeseekbuy