Rathmullan Makers Market to bring special exhibition to Derry this month

Rathmullan Makers Market will be bringing a cross-border Connecting Creativity Art & Craft exhibition to Derry this month.

A burst of colour and community spirit is coming to UV Arts C.I.C this September.

The exhibition involves a group of around twenty artists and crafters who will be taking over UV Arts C.I.C, The Garden of Reflection Gallery, Bishop Street in Derry for two weeks from Monday 15 to Saturday 27 September.

Rathmullan Makers Market was born in December 2023 with a Christmas market as a test run to gauge community interest and explore its potential for a craft collective and regular event in Rathmullan. It quickly tapped into an already existing vibrant artist community and as interest spread, more creatives from throughout both Donegal and Derry began to join, and the regular seasonal markets have now become a staple for visitors and locals alike.

Rathmullan Makers’ Market is fostered and supported by the ‘Connecting Communities Project’ and ‘Rathmullan the Way Forward’, and funded by the International Fund for Ireland. The markets are held regularly in the Pier Sheds in Rathmullan and showcase everything from unique artworks, stained glass art, felt art, upcycled crafts, jewellery, ceramics, candles, soaps and bath bombs, home baking, hot food and facepainting. As well as the market there is also live music and creative drop-in workshops on various dates to create a festival vibe and attract families. 

Now the market season has come to an end after a busy summer, many of its creatives will be decamping to UV Arts C.I.C in Derry with a diverse range of unique and handmade wares, inviting visitors to browse, buy, and be inspired by its twenty exhibitors. Most of the makers are seasoned creatives, but this exhibition will also feature two of the Connecting Youth Forum Members – Lily Mae with some stunning landscape pieces from around the Bushmills area, and Grace, with captivating photo prints of her hometown of Ballycastle. This is a massive opportunity for these young people to be amongst such established Makers, so please, if you can – make sure to call in and see everyone’s work!

Come along and meet the makers on Saturday, September 20 at 3pm. All are welcome! The exhibition runs from 12pm until 4pm daily on 16 Bishop Street, Derry-Londonderry.

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The Connecting Creativity Art & Craft Exhibition has been supported through the Connecting Communities project and organised by lead-partner, Rathmullan the Way Forward.