Pots, Paints and Plays with Gemma Bradley

Musician and broadcaster Gemma Bradley returns home to her rural roots to spend some quality creative time with three arts practitioners living and working in her native Mid Ulster.

She meets butcher turned painter Conor Larkin and observes his practice, both on location and in his studio, where she tries her hand at watercolour work, before learning how to throw a clay pot with ceramic artist Stephen McGuigan.

Gemma then heads to the Bardic theatre in Donaghmore, where actor Brian McMahon takes her through a performance workshop. Inspired by the artists, all of whom are making it work for themselves in the place where Gemma’s own creative journey began, she returns to the site of her first public performance, where she reflects on the importance of supporting talent and making space for creative people in rural Northern Ireland.

The documentary was developed and created by Glasgowbury and funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland/Department for Communities, through their Stability and Renewal Programme for Organisations.

Paddy Glasgow, Creative Director of Glasgowbury, said, “The documentary brought together a group of young creatives and professionals in the film industry, mainly from Mid Ulster, who over Covid were challenged with the task of making a documentary, a project that would develop their skills and enhance their careers. We are delighted that the BBC have accepted the programme as an acquisition and look forward to sharing it with everyone” Watch the documentary at https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0014569