Chance to get crafty in Ballymena and Antrim during August

As part of August Craft Month, the Five Artists in a Byre exhibition will be held Sharon Adam's studio on the Frocess Road Now in its third year, the Five artists exhibition will run from from August 12-28.

August Craft Month will be launched at the Mid Antrim Museum, The Braid, on July 27 with ‘Film Makers’, an exhibition presenting new work from six makers responding to heritage footage from Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive.

Featuring functional and conceptual pieces by Sharon Adams, Sheena Devitt, Nicola Gates, Alison Fitzgerald, Ronan Lowery and Peter Surginor, the exhibition will show how their encounter with the archive has inspired new ideas and developments in each of the makers’ work.

Sharon Adams, one of the makers featured and the exhibition project manager, is also presenting ‘Five Artists in a Byre’ at her studio on the Frocess Road at Cloughmills. Now in its third year, the Five artists exhibition from August 12-28 presents works in a natural palette among the original fixtures of a disused byre, last used for milking by the previous owners in the 60s.

Alongside this will be three workshops – Textile Tapestry Weaving and Macrame Plant Hanging (August 19) and a Spoon Carving Day (August 20), which the public can find out more about by contacting - [email protected]

On August 5 there will be a Claytastic Workshop with master ceramicist Adam Frew at the Songbird Studio Gallery at Galgorm Castle. Adam will tutor a small group of potters to create their own individual sectional porcelain piece. Some throwing experience is essential. To find out more call 07728814479.

On August 5, Pogues Entry Historical Cottage is hosting a Mixed Craft Day a chance to have fun with traditional craft activities and make unique and personal items to take away. It will also be holding a Sea Glass and Beachcraft workshop on August 19.

There are a number of events at Clotworthy House and Antrim Castle Gardens. On August 5 there is ‘Wood in the Garden’, a demonstration and exhibition of woodturning at the bandstand and there will be a Summer Minion Madness at Clotworthy House, Antrim Castle Gardens on August 12 at 11am and 1pm, for ages six-11. Clothworthy House is also holding a two day Silver Necklace, Earrings and Charm Bracelet workshop on August 26 and 27.

For more details or to book any of these events call 02894481338.

There will be more than 60 workshops held right across Northern Ireland covering all from a workshop teaching bladesmithing to surviving a zombie apocalypse at Hot Milk Forge in Martinstown. For full details of all events visit: augustcraftmonth.com.