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Down Arts Centre hosts exhibition of artworks from the Arts Council NI Collection to celebrate August Craft Month

10th August, 2026

Down Arts Centre will host, Objects and Innovations, a new exhibition of selected contemporary works from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland Collection. This exciting exhibition is available to view from 6th August- 18th September and brings together a mixture of craft and sculpture by established and emerging artists, as well as some of the Collection’s most recent purchases, including works by artists Sheena Devitt and Maya Todd.

collage of craft pieces featured in the exhibition.
Pictured are some of the art works from the Arts Council NI Collection now on display at Down Arts Centre including, (L-R) Samantha Moore, Marilyn Anne, Sheena Devitt, The Language of Trees, Alison Lowry, Jewel Blue (image credit: Glenn Norwood), Samantha Moore, Drinking Set, Adam Frew, Large Pot with Blue and Black, and Maya Todd, This is Not a Chair (image credit: Richard Davis, Digital Arts Studios).

The Collection is considered a leading public contemporary art collection in Northern Ireland representing artists at the forefront of visual arts practice. From a total of over seven hundred artworks, 33 works have been selected for the exhibition in Down Arts Centre.

In this exhibition visitors can experience the breadth of designer/makers and visual artists currently practicing in Northern Ireland and includes works in ceramics, glass, jewellery, textiles and sculpture.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Glyn Hanna said: “We are delighted to work with Arts Council of Northern Ireland to be able to present this exhibition from their Collection as part of August Craft Month at Down Arts Centre.  The exhibition offers an opportunity to access some of the works that are held in trust by the Arts Council for the people of Northern Ireland. This exhibition provides an example of some of the innovative skills and the traditional craftsmanship of makers working across Northern Ireland.

We would like to take the opportunity to invite residents and visitors to visit the exhibition to connect with the stories and traditions behind each piece.  Through the Arts Council’s Collection and this exhibition, we are glad to support the rich cultural identity that makes Newry, Mourne and Down so special. I look forward to visiting this exhibition at Down Arts Centre during Craft Month.”
Joanna Johnston, Visual Arts and Collections Officer, Arts Council of Northern Ireland added, “The Arts Council’s Collection is a leading contemporary collection for Northern Ireland, acquiring art works that represent some of the best visual art of our time. We are excited to see a selection of works from the Collection on display at Down Arts Centre, available to view for free, ensuring that more people from all backgrounds can enjoy the arts.  

This exhibition has come about thanks to our Art Lending Scheme which provides an opportunity for public venues to borrow works for display from the Arts Council’s Collection. By offering the Collection for public display, we are helping to showcase the work of our artists and to introduce the public to Northern Ireland’s wealth of creative talent. The Arts Council’s expert staff are on hand to help in the selection and curation of works for a range of public venues.”

The Arts Council’s Art Lending Scheme is free and is available to borrowing organisations both within and outside Northern Ireland, who are interested in exhibiting works from the Arts Council’s diverse catalogue of works, dating from 2003 to the present day. For more information go to: artscouncil-ni.org/collection

The exhibition at Down Arts Centre will be on display from 6 August to 18th September 2026. Admission is free. For more information on all event taking place as part of August Craft Month visit https://augustcraftmonth.org/