Ards Arts Centre in Newtownards is proud to present Drawn Together, an exhibition celebrating the life and work of acclaimed artist Richard Croft PPRUA (1935–2025). Curated before his passing last year, this mini-retrospective shines a spotlight on Croft’s lifelong passion for drawing – the foundation of his creative practice.
The exhibition brings together a selection of sketches alongside their corresponding paintings and prints, offering a rare insight into how Croft developed ideas from initial marks to finished works. Spanning over 70 years of sketchbooks, the collection explores themes of landscape and still life, often evolving into striking abstractions.
Born in London and based in Northern Ireland since 1959, Croft was a respected teacher and artist whose work captured the beauty of local and international landscapes. In 1967 he was elected as an Academician of the Royal Ulster Academy of Arts and was President of the Academy from 1997 – 2000.
As part of the programme, Amanda Croft, Richard’s daughter, will host a special gallery talk and tour, sharing personal reflections on his life and artistic journey.
Speaking about the exhibition, Amanda said: “My abiding memory of Richard was that he always had a pencil at the ready – drawings of people, places, ideas for paintings and prints all recorded in sketch books. We are delighted that Ards Arts Centre is hosting this exhibition of my father’s work. “
The exhibition will run Thu 26 Feb – Sat 21 March 2026 in Ards Arts Centre’s Georgian and Sunburst Galleries. Admission is free.
All are welcome to attend the exhibition’s Preview Event at Ards Arts Centre on Thursday 26 February, 7pm – 9pm.
For more information, visit: https://andculture.org.uk/whats-on/drawn-together