IN THE CITY // Crafty Belfast

Last week, the lovely and talented Hannah Wilson and I ventured into the City Centre to Craft Workshop aka Crafty Belfast for their new gallery opening. Some of Hannah's prints were featured in the gallery along with other local talent. Crafty Belfast is run by the vivacious and eccentric Emma Giles. I met her two years in her salon when I was looking for a job and she's come a long way from the one room salon/art gallery. She's taken over the front room of Parsons Hire on Wellington, and it's amazing!

Emma has combined what I believe are all of her passions - beauty, fashion, art, music, and surrounding herself with things that make her happy. The shop is a huge space filled with paintings, revamped furniture, re-worked clothing, tea cups, candles, sculptures, figurines, I think there might even be a kitchen sink somewhere, needless to say, there are lots of things to see! The workshop also holds a salon where you can have a consult, where a whole new look will be created to bring out the best you /something I firmly believe in also being a hairstylist/ They run craft workshops where you can learn new crafts or to create your very own fine art. The front bit is a tea room where you can enjoy delicious teas, coffee, and treats.

I think it’s great that local up and coming, as well as established artists are given a relaxed, inviting, eclectic environment to display their art in, and have people come and enjoy it. They also promote a lot of underground music going on in Belfast. A good friend of ours, whom I refer to as Secret Joel /he used to run Secret Belfast- a group that gives you the low down on sweet things happening in the city/, has designed a line of fashion tees that are being sold in the shop as part of their retro line.

If you haven’t seen it yet, drop in, the shop is a lot to take in, it’s pretty cool. See if you can spot Hannah’s prints. Speaking of art, the gallery opening went really well. The shop was included on the list of Late Night Art, a night of galleries and museums being open late and people checking them out in large groups. At one point there were so many people no one could move and then all of a sudden there was a ton of space. The art featured in the gallery is all types from all sorts. There was even some photos taken by a 12 year old girl that were brilliant. It was shocking. There was some graffiti which I noticed had been shown at the Ulster Hall when they did their Street Art event. There were just a lot of different pieces most worth checking out. If you’re curious a list of the featured artists is on the Craft Workshop facebook page.

Take a little lookey at the website and the next time you’re in town drop in!
Crafty Belfast
Facebook//Craft Workshop

IN THE CITY is a weekly article written by
Leah Gallant that looks at city life, culture,
music and events in Belfast.

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