Mayor of Ards and North Down Borough Council mayor, Alderman Alan Graham, has been discovering what it takes to be a maker, paying a visit to Portaferry-based wood turner Mike Mialls’ studio.
The visit took place in the run up to this year’s Creative Peninsula… a superb series of interactive creative events taking place in Ards and North Down from Friday 31 July to Sunday 9 August.
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Ards and Noth Down Borough Council mayor, alderman Alan Graham, right at the studio workshop of Mike Mialls in Portaferry to promote Creative Pensinsula.[/caption]
Now in its 14th year, the event, 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 practised in the local area.
Speaking about his experience, Mayor Graham said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my tour of Mike’s studio. He is a truly inspirational craftsman who produces a range of pieces, from beautiful hand crafted wooden bowls, to miniature furniture for dolls houses and his well-known bespoke Windsor chairs.
“The visit provided me with insight into the time, precision and passion that goes into making. Plus I had the chance to give wood turning a go myself, although I’m not sure I was much good at it! This is the unique experience visitors are offered as part of the Creative Peninsula and I would encourage everyone to come along and enjoy this special event.”
Mike’s studio is just one of the stops on the open studio visits that provide a ‘behind the scenes’ insight into the artist at work, be it a trip to a local ceramicist, painter, weaver, glass artist, wood turner or jewellery designer.
The immensely popular creative cafés where you and a friend can combine coffee, cake and catch up with the challenge of making some jewellery or ceramic items for the home, offer a fun experience for those who want to give making a go. As do the creative workshops, which offer the opportunity to learn and develop painting, drawing and craft work skills under the expert guidance of a local professional artist or maker.
Visitors also have the chance to see the art of making at ‘Craft in the Square’, taking place at the newly refurbished Conway Square in Newtownards on Friday 31 July. For one day only the space will be transformed into a creative hub with more than 35 artists and makers displaying and selling their work and talking about what inspires them. Free demonstrations including clay carving, dry felting, tiffany glass and making ceramic teapots will run throughout the day.
The 2015 Creative Peninsula brochure is available to download at:
www.ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/creativepeninsula
Tickets for bookable events are also available from this website.
You can pick up a programme and find out more information on all the events on offer from Ards Arts Centre, Ards Crafts, North Down Museum or any of the local Visitor Information Centres (Ards, Bangor, Groomsport and Portaferry) or contact the Ards and North Down Borough Council directly on 0300 013 3333.
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