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Craft NI showcase at RUA’s 144th Annual Exhibition celebrating the strength of Northern Ireland’s craft designer-makers

20th October, 2025

The Royal Ulster Academy of Arts (RUA), Northern Ireland’s largest artist-led visual arts organisation, has launched their 144th Annual Exhibition at the Ulster Museum.  The exhibition is now open to view and continues until 4 January 2026, as part of the Belfast International Arts Festival, and supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.  For the first time, Craft NI, the sector-lead body for the promotion and development of craft in Northern Ireland, will present a guest showcase within this landmark exhibition, debuting in one of the region’s most prestigious visual arts events with an exciting presentation of ceramics, glass, textiles, jewellery and metalwork by some of Northern Ireland’s most accomplished contemporary designer-makers.

Anne Earls Boylan's jewellery is included in the 144th Royal Ulster Academy Annual Exhibition at the Ulster Museum.  

Watch the video below.

This inaugural partnership between the RUA and Craft NI brings together two leading organisations dedicated to nurturing and celebrating artistic excellence. The showcase will feature a thoughtfully curated selection of works, demonstrating some of the creative innovation, design, and technical mastery within Northern Ireland’s thriving craft sector.

Simon McWilliams, RUA Director, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Craft NI to this year’s Annual Exhibition. Their makers represent the very best in contemporary craft and complement the world-class work by our own RUA members. This collaboration highlights the strength of Northern Ireland’s visual arts and celebrates the shared dedication to artistic excellence.”
Katherine McDonald, Craft NI Director, added: “We’re so pleased to have been invited by the RUA to bring the work of some of Northern Ireland’s talented designer-makers to the 144th show. The exhibition recognises the shared values between fine art and craft — dedication to practice, mastery of materials, and originality of vision.”

The Academy has a long-standing commitment to recognising craft as an integral part of contemporary visual culture: RUA academicians exhibiting this year include celebrated ceramicist Anne Butler, glass artist Alison Lowry and renowned silversmith Cara Murphy, whose exquisite, sculptural silver vessels and tableware have been commissioned at the highest levels, including Downing Street and as the maker of four Grand National trophies.

The Craft NI Showcase will further expand on this celebration of material-based practice, featuring works by Adam Frew, Andrea Spencer, Anne Earls Boylan, Caitlin Murphy, Celine Traynor, Derek Wilson, Grainne Watts, Jack Doherty, Jakki Trainor, Janice Gilmore, Joel Smith, John Piekaar, Mark Hanvey, Mario Sierra (Mourne Textiles), Patricia Kelly and Scott Benefield. From wheel-thrown porcelain to blown glass sculptures, woven textiles to meticulously crafted jewellery, visitors will encounter a diverse spectrum of work that demonstrates both tradition and innovation.

In total, the RUA’s 144th Annual Exhibition will present over 360 works spanning painting, sculpture, photography, print, digital media, textiles, and craft — ensuring a vibrant, diverse, and inspiring survey of the visual arts in Northern Ireland today.

For more information visit https://belfastinternationalar...