19-20 March
Our fabulous pilot Causeway Craft Trail showcases unique makers across the borough in March
As part of our Causeway Craft Trail throughout the month of March, experience some of the outstanding creative talent in our borough by visiting maker's studios during our Open Studio Weekend!
On Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 March, makers are throwing their doors open to welcome you. See them demonstrate how they make their work, hear how their craft careers have developed and maybe have a go yourself! All whilst exploring our stunning coastline and landscape - gather some friends or family, jump in a car or catch a ride and take a scenic trip to experience world renowned craft talent on our doorstep!
It's a fascinating experience that will allow you to take in some of the hidden gems of this beautiful region, visiting artists and craftspeople in the places that inspire them and observing them at work. Twelve makers/collectives will warmly welcome you to their Open Studios, spanning a range of craft disciplines including pottery, glass, jewellery, textiles, willow weaving, boat making and more. Meet the makers inspired by our sea and land and embrace your creative spirit.
You can visit the following Causeway Craft Trail makers during the Open Studio Weekend during the times below:
Adam Frew Ceramics, Aghadowey / Sat 2-5pm
Atlantic Craft NI, Louise McLean, Portrush / Sat & Sun 11-3pm
Fiona Shannon Ceramics, Portstewart / Sat & Sun 11-3pm
Blackheath Pottery, Coleraine -/ Sat 10-5pm, Sun 11-4pm
Benefield Spencer Glass, Ballintoy / Sat 10-1pm
The Boat House Gallery & Studio Collective, Giant's Causeway / Sat 11-4pm
Frankie Creith Gallery & Studio, Portrush / Sat 11-3pm
Stone Row Artisans Collective, Coleraine / Sat 10-5pm
Maker's House, The Designerie, Bushmills / Sat 11-3pm
Elements Studio, McCall Gilfillan, Castlerock / Sat & Sun 1-5pm
Valkyrie Craft Boatmaking, Castlerock / Sat 1-4pm (from Flowerfield Arts Centre)
Puffin Gallery, Ballycastle / Sat & Sun 2-4pm
Kick-off your journey off with a visit to potter Adam Frew who throws functional and one-off pots at his converted barn studio in rural Aghadowey, before heading along the River Bann to Elements Studio at Downhill, where McCall Gilfillan creates artworks in a variety of media.
Enjoy spectacular views as far as the Isle of Jura as you stop off at the workshop of Valkyrie Craft Boatmakers perched in the hills before heading down into the bustling town of Coleraine to lose yourself in the treasures at Stone Row Artisans, a collective of talented designer-makers and artisans.
Watch potter Babs Belshaw at work as you pause for a homemade bake in the cafe at Blackheath Pottery near Coleraine, then head to the coastal resort of Portstewart to the studio where ceramicist Fiona Shannon, a resident in Flowerfield Arts Centre, creates tableware inspired by the wild Atlantic coastline.
In neighbouring Portrush, stop to watch basket-weavers Louise and Trevor McLean of Atlantic Craft NI, working on their traditional heritage crafts in the studio behind their home, and don't forget to visit nearby Frankie Creith Arts, a gallery displaying mixed media works.
Then head back inland to the village of Bushmills to visit Maker's House, a collective of creatives above The Designerie, a social enterprise supporting more than 70 local creative designer-makers, before continuing to the Boat House Gallery & Studio at Innisfree Farm, next to the famed Giant's Causeway and home to five creative makers in a variety of media.
Pay a visit to the Benefield Spencer Glass Studio in Ballintoy - Northern Ireland's only artisanal glassblowing studio - before making your way to Ballycastle and the Puffin Gallery, an artist-led gallery and creative hub.
