THE FINEST in craft from across Northern Ireland will be on show for the festive season at Flowerfield Arts Centre, as the building prepares to welcome a special Christmas Craft Showcase from late November through to Christmas.
The event promises to offer a host of interesting ideas for Christmas gifts for the style-conscious, including work by top designers in ceramics, wood, glass, textile and willow – and there’s a chance of winning hundreds of pounds’ worth of crafts in a special prize draw.
The showcase is NOT a craft fair, stresses Malcolm Murchison, the borough’s Arts Officer, but rather a two week selling exhibition with everything available for immediate purchase: ‘We decided to bring the best in contemporary Northern Ireland craft and put it on display at the centre for a longer period.
‘The idea is that people will have the chance to come along, see the work on display, perhaps meet the craft makers and find out more about their work – and pick up a unique handmade gift for a loved one.’
The morning of Saturday December 3rd will offer a special chance to see the work and meet some of the craft artists – Catherine Keenan will be hosting a bead making workshop for jewellery that morning and Adam Frew will offer a pottery demonstration on the wheel in the reception area, from 11am to 1pm. The centre will be offering some seasonal hospitality in the form of mince pies and mulled wine all morning.
Among the works on display throughout the showcase will be textiles by Nicola Farrell, glass by Matt Pothecary, exquisite wood gifts by John Piekaar, ceramics by John McKeag, lovely recycled jewellery by Lesley Frew, glass by Scott Benefield, silver gifts by Lotus de Wit, painted ceramic landscapes by Rachel Mather, willow baskets by Alison Fitzgerald and ceramics by Gail Mahon, among others.
Also taking part will be the trio of artists based at Flowerfield, all of whom have been involved in pulling the showcase together – glass artists Catherine Keenan, offering some of her popular jewellery and Pia Raeymaekers with her amazing glass creations, and ceramics artist Adam Frew, who makes unusual and attractive jugs, pots, bowls and much more.
The works will be on display and clearly priced on the ground floor corridor throughout December. Some of the artists have donated lovely pieces to the centre to help promote the event, and those attending the showcase are invited to sign up for the Flowerfield mailing list – to be in with a chance of winning a piece of contemporary crafts by one of the artists.
Monday 28th November- Thursday 22nd December
Festive Day: Saturday 3rd December
