Slow down and enjoy August Craft Month

COLERAINE man Jack Doherty, one of Northern Ireland's most successful potter/ceramicists, launched this year's August Craft Month.

Jack is chair of the Craft Potters’ Association and lead potter at the Leach Pottery in St Ives Cornwall.

His latest exhibition – his first ever in Belfast - is taking place at Ormeau Baths Gallery until September 11.

A host of events are taking place in the Causeway area as part of August Craft Month, Northern Ireland’s celebration of all that is best in local and international craft.

The Flowerfield Arts Centre in Portstewart is staging a series of events including the ‘Baubles with Brains and Materials with Meaning’ exhibition (from now until 14 August) which showcases work from this year’s graduates from the University of Ulster.

Using individual approaches to Silversmithing and jewellery, the exhibition will look at issues such as culture, religion, life, death, body, blood and the earth’s riches.

On August 3, Anne Boylan, a lecturer in Silversmithing and Jewellery at the University will lead a tour of the exhibition and discuss the production process and use of material and skills.

Flowerfield will also host a series of workshops including August potting with Adam Frew (Tuesday 17 August – Friday 20 August and Tuesday 24 August – Friday 27 August.

Meanwhile, as part of its 10th year anniversary celebrations, F MacCool & Co in Rugby Avenue, Coleraine is inviting people to visit its workshops to see linen, felt, ceramic production and traditional woodworking. The workshops take place on Wednesday, 4 August and 25 August.

This year’s August Craft month theme is ‘Slow’, which is inspired by the ideas and spirit of the Slow Movement, a global phenomenon that is a welcome antidote to the hectic pace of modern life.

The month will feature more than 40 events including exhibitions, talks, workshops, demos and guerrilla craft throughout Northern Ireland where skilled international and local designer-makers are working with clay, wood, glass, metal, fabric and recycled products.

For more information visit www.craftni.org

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