With Creative Peninsula and August Craft Month about to kick off, I won’t trouble you with a long introduction. Suffice to say there is a lot going on and not just what is listed below. You can check out all the events on offer for you delectation and delight this summer via the Craft NI and Creative peninsula websites and, while you are at it, have a look at the summer events in Boom Studios!:
Oh and one more little plug – I am very happy to say that some of my new original drawings from earlier in the year are now rubbing shoulders with some very fab wildlife artists in the Scottish Ornithologists Club online shop.
Exhibitions
Exhibition Wildlife Art
This is a great and well established weekend exhibition of wildlife art taking place in Gordale Garden Center on the Wirral Peninsula from 28 to 30 July. This year I am taking part remotely and have 8 pieces in their online gallery which goes live on 28 July. All the pieces will remain available for the rest of the year.
Creative Peninsula Exhibition at Ards Arts Centre
The exhibition opening and official launch of the Creative Peninsula festival will be 6.30 – 8.30 on Thursday 27 July and includes an opening talk and demonstration
This year the exhibition has a theme – “Inspired By”. No prizes for guessing what I am inspired by, but you’ll have to come along to se exactly what I came up with as its a bit different.
Thursday 27 July – Thursday 24 August.
August Craft Month Exhibition at Craft NI
I am delighted to be taking part in this exhibition. Again its something a bit different, so you’ll have to wait for the exhibition before I reveal it! Why not join us for the official opening and late night art in the Gallery on Thursday 3 August from 6-9.
Thursday 3 August – Friday 15 September 2023
Monday – Saturday 10 -5
Late Night Art Thursday August 6pm – 9pm
Creative peninsula exhibition at North Down Museum
Another of my winter bird drawings from the beach at Millisle will be showing in this exhibition, Bangor’s Creative Peninsula celebration of local artists and crafts people.
Thursday 3rd August until Sunday 4 September
during museum opening hours
Craft Fairs
Creative Peninsula Twighlight Market and Arts Night
This event has a new twist this year being an evening event. The usual mix of local crafts people and artsits, myself included, exhibiting, demonstrating and selling in a one night only craft village in Conway Square, with live music, and drop in childrens crafts with Boom studios. Meanwhile the Arts Centre will be buzzing with creative goings on where you can see demonstrations and even try your hand at a new skill.
Friday 4 August
4 – 9pm
Conway Square, Newtownards 4-9pm
North Down Craft Collective in the Court House
Following from our very successful fair at Christmas, North Down Craft Collective will be back in Bangors Newest venue for an August Craft Month Event.
I’ll be at both these fairs with my all my usual stuff and a new thing or two to tempt you with!
Sunday 20 August
12 – 5 pm
Workshops and Demos
Sketching Landscape and Wildlife
On the afternoon of Sunday 30 July, I’ll be hosting a relaxed sunday sketching workshop at Cockle Row Cottages in Groomsport. This is a free drop in event, I will have some materials to use, but feel free to bring along your own weapons of choice! Here’s hoping the weather is kind to us
Sunday 30th July
2-4pm
Cockle Row Cottages, Groomsport
Make a Paper Bird Workshop, Newtownards
For the Creative Peninsula festival, I have a paper bird making workshop now available to book. We will learn about some basic paper cutting techniques and tools. You should come away with at least one paper bird decoration.
Tuesday 1 August
7 -9 pm
Ards Arts Centre, Newtownards
Alfresco Art
Another free event. This one always has a lovely relaxed Sunday vibe enjoyed by makers and public alike. Get yourself a brew from the Coffee Cure at North Down Museum and enjoy seeing local artists and crafts people demonstrating their skills in the courtyard. I’ll be there from 12 -2 pm, but there will be more makers in the afternoon.
Sunday 6 August
The Courtyard, North Down Museum, Bangor
12 -4pm
Make a Paper Bird Workshop, Lisburn
If you can’t make it to the Creative Peninsula paper bird making workshop, there is a another opportunity as I will be delivering it again in Lisburn as part of the Island Arts Centre August Craft Month Program. Bookings are now open.
Saturday 19 August
10.30am-12.30pm
The Island Arts Centre, Lisburn
Open Studios
Bangor Art Tour and Tipple
Join the Creative Peninsula team for a tour of Bangor’s creative spaces. Starting at North Down museum, where you will find me doing a short demo of paper crafting, then on for a peek behind the scenes at Boom Studios and Seacourt Print. With drinks along the way!
Wednesday 2 August
8-9 pm
Summer at Boom
Come and get a nosey round Boom studios, meet and chat with some of the artists in their studios , and see what we get up to all day. I’ll have my studio, over the road in Boom 2 open, so why not call in and say hello!
Saturday 12 August
11am – 5pm
Open House Festival evening Art Walk
Join Boom Studios Director, Marainne Kennerly, for a tour of creative spaces in Bangor and a glimpse into the vibrant artistic life of the city. I’ll be in Boom 2 waiting for a chat!
Thursday 24 August
6.30-9.30pm