Market Place Theatre & Arts Centre
A CELEBRATION OF CONTEMPORARY & TRADITIONAL CRAFT & VISUAL ART
FEATURING:
Craft Stalls | Craft Demonstrations | FREE Kids drop-in Craft Workshops
Great Music | Coffee Shop & Bar Sat 25 May 24 | 10.30am - 4.30pm
visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre
p 03300 561 025 f/marketplacearmagh
The hugely successful Armagh Craft Fair is back for a 12th year at The Market Place Theatre and Arts Centre. This event just keeps getting bigger and better as we celebrate hosting our largest number of fantastic artists and makers to date!! There is an exciting programme of creative activities throughout the day for visitors of all ages to enjoy and a stunning exhibition of contemporary craft & visual art in the main gallery, making this year’s Craft Fair a definite date for your diary!
The venue will transform into a vibrant hub of high quality craft, art and design activity for the day. Visitors can shop at 55 craft stalls from makers nationwide and experience traditional and contemporary craft demonstrations with some hands-on craftmaking opportunities. You will find printed and woven textiles, jewellery, wood, fine art, leather, glass, soaps, candles, ceramics and artisan food & drinks.
Children will enjoy getting creative at the FREE drop-in art sessions throughout the day, making this fun event a must for all families.
Live musical performances during the Fair will keep you entertained as you shop
for beautiful craft products, relax with a refreshing drink or simply enjoy the atmosphere. We look forward to welcoming you to experience and explore what’s on offer.
Check out our full programme of creative experiences, craft and arts-based workshops and exhibitions throughout the year in our season brochures.
For further information
w visitarmagh.com/marketplacetheatre
Immerse yourself in a range of craft demonstrations and hands-on experiences throughout the day: including traditional and machine lathe woodturning, wet felting, pyrography, hand-thrown pottery, slip casting ceramics, weaving, sewing skills, beeswax candle rolling, natural fabric dyeing, silver smithing and traditional Dorset button making. Now’s your chance to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in under the expert guidance of professional makers. Don’t forget to pop into the FREE Kids arts and crafts drop-in sessions for 'make and take' fun.
Marketa B. Art
Demonstration Only
Marketa Babackova demonstrates pyrography techniques - the process of burning wood with a heated object to create intricate designs. Using a soldering iron and blow torch, Marketa will illustrate different ways to make desired burn marks on a large design piece to create a beautiful image. This demo could inspire you to take on an exciting new hobby.
Molly & Me Candles
Hands-on experiences for adults and children | FREE
Visit Molly and Me Candles as they demonstrate how to hand roll Beeswax Candles. As well as being 100% natural and eco-friendly, beeswax candles are also natural ionisers. When burned in the home the layers of beeswax become translucent with gentle amber light and give off a beautiful mild honey scent. Have a go at layering honeycomb textured beeswax sheets and inserting a pure cotton wick before rolling your candle for a beautiful finish. You will be able to take your candle home to enjoy.
Harry Emerson | Loughview Crafts
Hands-on experiences for ages 12+ | FREE
Experienced wood turner Harry will demonstrate the art of woodturning on the lathe to create small bowls, pens and spinning tops. Harry will discuss the different types of wood used to create his finished pieces, as well as the processes of staining, lacquering and polishing. Children aged 12+ and adults can have a go on their own lathe to turn a small honey dipper, garden dibbler or spinning top.
Please note that timed sessions of 15 minutes will be available for this FREE hands-on experience. Please add your name to the list on the day at the Lough View stand.
Angela Turkington | Leopard & Lily
Hands-on experiences for adults and children | FREE
Angela Turkington will demonstrate three different methods of dyeing silks and linen using natural and plant materials such as leaves, flowers and foliage. You will learn the art of ‘bundle’ dyeing on pre-treated silk and watch as a freshly steamed bundle is unwrapped and the print patterns revealed. Watch the process of vat dyeing using fresh and dried plant material and finally try your hand at ‘happazome’ printing. Using a small tack hammer, you will hammer flowers and leaves directly onto linen or watercolour paper for an immediate print. You can then embellish with simple embroidery stitches and take your print home.
Debbie McCann | Wee Yarn Designs
Hands-on experiences for 12+ | FREE
This year try Dorset Button Weaving with a difference on a big wheel...
Visit the Wee Yarn Designs stall for a drop-in session to learn about the traditional craft of Dorset Button Making. Working with colourful threads to create beautiful patterns, you will learn about the history of the Dorset button and how it can be used today as a contemporary embellishment or as a piece of quirky jewellery! Debbie will demonstrate how to make a simple cross wheel button and then guide participants in the creation of their own brooch or necklace to take home. This year children can learn the skills of Dorset weaving on a large wheel with vibrant threads.
Ciara Campbell Ceramics
Hands-on experiences for adults and children | FREE
Ciara ‘throws’ a range of pots and vessels on the potter’s wheel – watch the complete process from ball of clay to completed pot. Children and adults can have a go at making a small pot on the wheel under Ciara’s guidance. All pots made can be taken home to dry and decorate. Ciara will have one footcontrolled and one hand-controlled wheel to accommodate wheelchair users.
Angeline Murphy Design
Hands-on experiences for 7+ | FREE
Rachel Leary Ceramics
Hands-on experiences for adults and children | FREE
Karolina Lisek | Little Tangle
Hands-on experiences for adults and children | FREE
Enjoy watching Karolina Lisek demonstrate basic weaving techniques while creating a fluffy, modern wall tapestry using upcycled materials. This demonstration will focus on zero waste ideology and showcase how to use leftover materials to create a unique wall decoration. Visitors are welcome to join Karolina to learn about the process and have a go at weaving using colourful threads, wool and fabrics.
Stephen Ryan | Green Wood Work Ireland
Demonstration Only
Using a foot powered woodturning lathe, Green Woodwork Ireland demonstrates a traditional woodland workshop in action.
Step back in time and immerse yourself in the skills of the craftsman producing his wares with the use of the shave horse and pole lathe. Children's toys, spoons, bowls and furniture are all produced using traditional techniques dating back hundreds of years. People of all ages are encapsulated by the rhythm of pole lathe and a craft that has long since disappeared from our woodlands and workshops. Adults and children alike can enjoy the work of the craftsman as he chats about the skills and history of this forgotten world.
Angeline Murphy, Local Designer, Textile Artist and Sewing Bee TV star will be on hand all day showcasing sewing skills and simple sewing techniques to give you the confidence to start your sewing journey. Come along and learn a variety of hand embroidery stitches and create simple designs or stitch up your very own key-ring.
Rachel Leary demonstrates different stages of the slip-casting method using a range of moulds to create a complete porcelain form. Have a go at pouring the liquid clay (slip) into a mould and watch as it soaks into the plaster. Decant the excess slip back out of the mould when it's ready and then open the mould to see the finished form and cut away the clay. Rachel will also show her handle moulds and how she adds handles to her porcelain mugs.
Laura Kidd Felt Art
Hands-on experiences for adults and children | FREE
Experience the art of wet felting with Laura Kidd as she demonstrates cobweb and nuno felting techniques using a variety of fibres, such as merino, corriedale and Shetland as well as a selection of plant based fibres. Learn to card wool, layer fibres and introduce a range of other fabrics such as muslin and satin into felt works to create beautiful works of art. This tactile craft is addictive so come along and have a go at creating small pictures and samples, which can be made into brooches, framed pieces, decorative embellishments and so much more. Throughout the day, Laura will also be experimenting with some felt soap, which is always fun for all ages!
Tara Campbell | Made by Tara
Hands-on experiences for 10+ | FREE
Tara Campbell Goldsmith will be demonstrating a range of jewellery making techniques for visitors to enjoy throughout the day. Watch the Goldsmith in action as she takes you through the skills required to make beautiful pieces of jewellery, including, piercing, soldering, stone setting, delft sand casting, silver clay and kea-boo an ancient Korean gilding technique. You will have an opportunity to use some of the tools from Tara’s kit to try out some techniques demonstrated on scrap precious metals.
Nancy Moreland | Nifty Needles
Hands-on experiences for 8+ | FREE
Try your hand at Inktense, the art of colouring designs onto fabric using watercolour pencils then outlining your design with red-work embroidery. Suitable for children and adults, Nancy Moreland will show you a range of stitches to complete on a small sample piece. If you love traditional sewing, stitching, knitting, crocheting, quilting and other textile art forms, Nancy will be happy demonstrate her skills and chat to you about some of her current projects.
Joanne Gault | New Forge Pottery
Hands-on experiences for adults and children | FREE
Visitors to the New Forge Pottery will have the opportunity to watch the process of throwing different types of vessels using the pottery wheel, including bowls, plates, tall vases and miniature vessels as well as learning about Raku firing. You will have an opportunity to have a go on the pottery wheel under supervision to make your own small bowl or vessel. As the pottery process requires clay to be fired in a kiln, your piece of pottery will be unfired but can be labelled and left to dry while you continue your visit to the event. Your small pottery piece will be ready for collection before leaving.
£3.50 per child | Payment to be made to tutor at the stall | Available all day
Creative crafting fun without the MESS!
Under the guidance of the Jumping Clay team, let your imagination run wild as you model a range of cute characters, emojis or animals in 3D, using brightly coloured, non-messy, non-toxic, air-drying modelling clay. Drop-in workshops available throughout the day with a choice of making fridge magnets or pencil toppers.
Join the fabulous ‘A Misty Kind of Blue’ to enjoy FREE hands-on drop-in creative craft making fun and experiences throughout the day. Kids will love the carousel of fantastic crafts to make, so don’t miss out on this very popular 'make and take' experience. All materials provided. Parent or guardian must stay with the child/children at the art session.
Exhibition runs until 6 July 2024
Dundalk’s Bridge Street Studios, one of the oldest and largest independent artistic collectives in Ireland, presents their latest visual art exhibition, 'Shed'.
The 'Shed' exhibition features the works of nine dynamic professional artists and craftspeople. Their collective expertise spans a wide array of media, including paintings, sculpture, prints,
Visit The Market Place
Gallery to see the latest exhibition and MEET THE MAKERS
© Rachel Tinniswood
Silk and Wax-crop
ceramics, textiles, and mixed media. The artists have explored the theme of "shed" with rich imagery, allusion, and symbolism, crafting responses and connections on personal, local, and universal levels.
Drop into Bridge Street Studios' 'Shed' exhibition in the Gallery to hear the stories and ideas behind the artworks. Meet the makers of the sculptures, paintings and textiles on show 12-1pm and 2-3pm.
w bridgestreetstudios.com
Our largest Craft Fair to Date, Check out ‘WHO’S HERE’ 55 High Quality Craft Stalls
Angeline Murphy Design
Big Red Kitchen
Buick House Candles
Carol Willey Ceramics
Ciara Campbell Ceramics
Cobden & Brown Chocolate
Coranny Forest Pottery
Creinagh Knitwear
Crochet by Amy M
didART Studio
Discovery Glass
Dúlra Jewellery
Erincraft Jewellery
Figment Ceramics
Fiona Kerr Jewellery
Glass I Studio
Green Wood Work Ireland
Jackie Sleator Textile Artist
Jonathan Hackett Art
Jumping Clay
Keith Sheppard Glass
L Trueman Art
Laura Kidd Felt Art
Leopard & Lily
Lichen Ceramics
Lindy Makes
Little Tangle
Lough View Crafts
Louise Lennon Art
LUS Aromatherapy
Made by Tara
Máiréad Duffy Art
Marketa B. Art
Molly & Me Candles
Naturally Soap
New Forge Pottery
Nifty Needles
Paula Stapleton Design
Pauline Currie Jewellery
Peggy's Family Farm
Rachel Leary Ceramics
Ruth Osborne Art
Scents by Suzanne (So It Is)
SoulScapes
Sugar Island Crafts
Suzanna Banks Art
Suzikay Designs
Symphonia Spirits
The Curly Pigs
The Gathered Seam
Thomas' Artisan Cakes
Vine Haugh Ceramics
Wee Yarn Designs
Wild About Soaps
Wild Shore
For further information and full directions
visitarmagh.com/ marketplacetheatre
Entertainment and Refreshments all day [Open from 11.00am – 5.00pm]
Make a day of it! Relax, have a drink and listen to a fantastic line-up of live music performances.
Leah Jordan | 11.30am – 12.30pm
Acoustic singer and songwriter Leah Jordan from Co. Armagh kicks off the entertainment at the Armagh Craft Fair. 'Home' is still her favourite place to perform. Covering Artists such as Stevie Nicks, Amy Winehouse, Heart, Thin Lizzy, Raye and Foo Fighters. Leah’s vocals and guitar playing will have you endlessly entertained by her unique take on any song. Come down early to catch Leah’s set.
Art Deko | 12.30pm – 2.30pm
A contemporary collective that ranges from a two-piece to a six-piece band. Art Deko seamlessly blend jazz, pop and blues into their performances, captivating audiences with their infectious rhythms and unique sound. Don’t miss Art Deko’s lunchtime session which is sure to leave listeners craving more.
Eva Kearney | 2.30pm – 4.30pm
Singer/songwriter Eva Kearney – Aqua Tofana recently released her new EP ‘My Troubles’ and was the 2023 overall winner of BuskFest Festival in Banbridge 2023. She will be performing a mix of songs as well as her original music which she describes as ambient soul rock.