Creative Peninsula – Northern Ireland’s premier celebration of Art and Craft, will showcase the Borough’s most talented artists and makers at the Twilight Market and Arts Night event next Friday, 4 August. Formerly known as ‘Craft in the Square’, this year’s event has been renamed and moved to the later time of 4pm – 9pm.
For one evening only, Conway Square and Ards Arts Centre in Newtownards will be transformed into a creative hub with 28 artists and makers displaying and selling their work. With a selection of ceramics, textiles, print, paintings and mixed media on offer and a drop-in area for children’s arts and crafts. Meanwhile, Ards Arts Centre will be alive with creative activity, so make sure to drop in and try your hand at printing, painting or drawing and watch artists at work, demonstrating their techniques.
Taking place throughout August, Creative Peninsula, which is now in its 22nd year, offers a range of free and bookable opportunities for people of all ages and levels of experience to see, learn about and even ‘try their hand’ at some of the many art and craft forms that are practiced in the local area.
Other highlights include;
Alfresco Demonstrations at North Down Museum: be inspired as you watch the Artists and Makers at work in the Courtyard of North Down Museum. There will be free demonstrations on offer throughout the afternoon and some hands-on activity to try yourself. Sunday 6 August. Free admission.
Bangor Art Tour and Tipple: join this walking tour of Bangor to visit three creative spaces where you can meet the makers and try your hand at making a print, enjoying a tipple along the way. Wednesday 2 August, £12. Booking essential.
Open Studios: some of the Creative Peninsula Artists have opened their studios to deliver workshops. For full details of participating artists and how to book, visit the Creative Peninsula website.
Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Jennifer Gilmour said:
“Ards and North Down boasts one of Northern Ireland’s most vibrant creative communities, with a remarkable concentration of talented artists and crafts people. The Creative Peninsula offers visitors an unparalleled opportunity to witness the very best of local arts and crafts and interact with the talented creators behind the artwork.”
View the full Creative Peninsula 2023 programme at: https://creativepeninsula.andculture.org.uk/
You can also pick up a programme and find out more information on all the events on offer from Ards Arts Centre or North Down Museum.