Creative Peninsula 2022 kicks off next week when artists and makers across the Ards and North Down Borough will give people of all ages and levels of experience the opportunity to see, learn about and even ‘try their hand’ at a host of different art and craft forms practiced in the local area. Now in its 21st year, the thriving annual festival of creativity, which will run throughout the month of August, is a wonderful showcase of the Borough’s talented artists and makers.
For those who want to roll up their sleeves and get ‘stuck in’, The Creative Peninsula Workshop Programme boasts a series of engaging and interactive workshops designed to explore the processes used to create unique pieces of art and craft.
Join artist Rosy Ennis for a Dry Point Printing workshop in Ards Arts Centre on Tuesday 9 August where you can learn how to make a dry point print using a scriber and plate. Adele Pound’s Developing Skills for Sketching from Life workshop on Wednesday 10 August will allow you to experiment with different ways of seeing and drawing from life.
If you fancy creating your own Bud Vase, Sharon Regan is holding a two-week workshop at the Arts Centre where you can create and decorate a beautiful ceramic bud vase. Drawing to Inspire with Pandora Butterfield in The Walled Garden, Helen’s Bay on Thursday 11 August will be centred around a still-life setup. Gain a deeper understanding of the drawing process and feel more confident and skilled in working from life all, in the beautiful surroundings of one of the Borough’s hidden gems.
Speaking about the programme, Emily Crawford, Arts and Heritage Manager with Ards and North Down Borough Council said: “Creative Peninsula presents a wonderful opportunity to try your hand at creating something special. With a variety of experienced makers to guide you through the process, you can try painting, ceramics, sketching or painting. These relaxed and sociable sessions will leave you feeling inspired and maybe even motivate you to pick up a new creative hobby!”
Booking is essential for all workshops. For more information and bookings, please visit the Creative Peninsula website: https://creativepeninsula.andculture.org.uk/
TOP 5 PICKS AT CREATIVE PENINSULA 2022
1. Creative Peninsula in the Square
Friday 5 August 2022: 11am – 5pm
Conway Square in Newtownards is transformed, for one day only, into an arts and crafts village with artists and makers selling their work and talking about what inspires them to be creative.
Exhibitors and demonstrations include glass engraving, wood turning, painting, pastels, felting, printing, drawing, textiles, ceramics and many more.
2. Creative Peninsula at the Walled Garden, Helen’s Bay and the Ulster Folk Museum
Saturday 6 August and Saturday 20 August
Visit Creative Peninsula at these beautiful venues where artists and craft makers will be performing demonstrations and showcasing their work
3. Workshops at Ards Arts Centre
Various dates and times
The Creative Peninsula workshop programme is a series of engaging and interactive workshops designed to explore the processes used to create unique pieces of art and craft.
4. Open Studios and/or Artists Own Workshops
Various dates, times and location
Covering the length and breadth of the Ards Peninsula, Artist’s studios and workshops are the place to visit for a sneak peek ‘behind the scenes’ of the Artist at work.
5. Reflections by MAP (exhibition)
Ards Arts Centre: 28 July – 31 August
Reflections will feature textile works from MaP (Makers and Practitioners), a collective of artists and designers from Northern Ireland, Wales and Finland.