Celebrate art and craft in Ards and North Down with Creative Peninsula 2021

Now in its 20th year, the Creative Peninsula, organised by Ards and North Down Borough Council, 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.    

Highlights of the 2021 programme include: 

Alfresco Afternoons take the opportunity to interact with local artists and makers through free demonstrations and hands-on activity to try for yourself in the beautiful surrounds of the newly refurbished courtyard at North Down Museum, Bangor. 

Creative workshops for adults, offering you the opportunity to learn and develop painting, drawing and craft work skills and more with teaching from a range of local experts. (Workshop fees from £15pp, must be pre-booked). 

Virtual Artist Talks will take place this year online featuring facilitated Q&A’s with some of the borough’s inspiring makers and others will offer a sneak peek into their studios with mini recorded studio tours. There will also be an opportunity to tour the Creative Peninsula exhibition at Ards Arts Centre virtually for those that can’t pay a visit in person. 

The month of creativity starts with Creative Peninsula in the Square at Conway Square in Newtownards on Friday 30 July, 10am – 5pm.  For one day only the space will be transformed into a creative hub with more than 30 artists and makers displaying and selling their work and talking about what inspires them.  Free demonstrations, live music and the opportunity to buy local will run throughout the day.  

Welcoming the return of the popular annual event, Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Mark Brooks, said:  

“With one of the largest concentrations of Artists and Craftspeople living and working in Northern Ireland, Ards and North Down is home to a thriving creative industry.  The Creative Peninsula gives visitors the unique opportunity to see some of the very best of local arts and crafts, and to meet and engage with the makers behind the pieces.”  

“Whether you just want to observe and soak up the atmosphere, or you prefer to try your hand at making, this year’s programme offers something for everyone.  I hope to welcome many visitors to our Craft in the Square event, to our Alfresco Afternoons and at our creative workshops.”