Established in 1995 by Ards Borough Council as a a showcase for local crafts, today Ards Crafts' bright contemporary interior provides the perfect platform for the rich diversity of traditional and modern craft now being produced in the Ards Borough and Northern Ireland. Visitors can choose from a rich array of crafts from creative ceramics and decorative pottery to stylish woodturning, textiles, jewellery, mixed media and glass. Ards Crafts also offers a wedding list and a gift wrapping service.

'As the Craft Development function of Ards Borough Council, Ards Crafts has developed key partnerships and links with other Council departments e.g. Tourism, Arts and Economic Development as well as with external agencies such as Craft NI to significantly raise the profile of Craft throughout the region and Northern Ireland' explains Heather Parker, Craft Development Manager for Ards Borough Council.

'Craft is one of the Creative Industries sectors which is growing strongly and we will continue to support creativity in as many ways as possible'.

Craft NI Making It Programme
Ards Borough Council, in partnership with Kircubbin Regeneration Committee, is proud to be supporting an accomplished Jewellery Designer as part of CraftNI's Making It 2007 Business Incubation programme.

Lotus de Wit will be resident at Maxwell's Courtyard in Kircubbin and her work will be on display and for sale shortly in Ards Crafts. She will also be exhibiting her work as part of the Art in the Loft 'Flowing Forms' exhibition in August 2008

Quest for Creativity
A new initiative 'Quest for Creativity' has been developed by Ards Crafts to encourage visitors and the general public to enjoy a self-guided journey to Craft studios and public artwork in the Ards Borough area. To embark on either Journey 1 or Journey 2, pick up a guide from Ards Crafts, Ards Tourist Information Centre or Portaferry Tourist Information and Visitor Centre'.

Art in the Loft
Once again this very successful series of Art and Craft exhibitions will return to the Portaferry Tourist Information and Visitor Centre.

• 3rd - 28th June - Seacourt Print Workshop: 'Small Works, Big Imagination'
  A selection of original, limited edition prints from Seacourt Print Workshop.

• 2nd - 30th July - Exhibition Hosted by Ards Crafts: 'Loft Living'
  A selection of interiors from designer makers in the Ards Borough and Northern Ireland, hosted by Ards Crafts.
  
• 2nd - 30th August - Exhibition Hosted by Ards Crafts: 'Flowing Forms'
  An exhibition of contemporary jewellery from three of Northern Ireland's accomplished silversmiths; Nora Watson, Fiona Kerr and Lotus de Wit.

The Creative Peninsula Open Studio Event, 1st - 10th August 2008
Now in its 7th year, the Creative Peninsula event aims to promote visual artists and craftspeople living and working in the Ards Peninsula.

Organised by three Council sections - Ards Tourism, Ards Crafts and Ards Arts - the event this year will comprise of the well established exhibitions' programme, open studios and taster workshops, as well as some new additions, including artists' talks and a more vibrant Craft in the Square Day on Friday 1st August featuring craft demonstrations, music, and a Children's Creative Peninsula.

Further detailed information on this event will be available shortly on our dedicated website www.creativepeninsula.info

Alternatively telephone Ards Tourist Information Centre on 028 9182 6846 or email tourism@ards-council.gov.uk

We also provide

• Access to training for craftspeople in partnership with Ards Borough Council's Tourism Development Department
• Craft Business Surgeries - advice and signposting service for current and potential craftspeople (in partnership with Ards Borough Council's Economic Development Department).
• Networking opportunities
  www.craftmark.ie
  www.craftni.org
  www.craftanddesigncollective.com
  ardsartscollective@hotmail.co.uk
  www.ardsart.com

How can you contact us?

Ards Crafts is situated within the Ards Tourist Information Centre at 31 Regent Street, Newtownards BT23 4AD (beside the bus station)

If you have any comments or suggestions about the services offered by Ards Crafts or would like to know more about our work, please do not hesitate to contact us either in person, in writing, by telephone, email or fax.

Tel 028 9182 6846
Fax 028 9182 6681

ards.crafts@ards-council.gov.uk

Our opening times are

Mon. - Fri. 9.15am - 5.00pm
Sat. 9.15am - 5.00pm

Ards Crafts has been awarded the Charter Mark for excellence in customer service.