Creative Peninsula 2026 – A Celebration of Artists and Makers in Ards and North Down
Ards and North Down Borough Council has launched the Creative Peninsula 2026 programme, marking 25 years of showcasing the Borough’s artists and makers. This established festival highlights the strength and diversity of the local creative sector, offering visitors the chance to engage directly with artists and their work.
Running throughout August, the programme includes a mix of free and bookable events, including open studios, exhibitions, workshops and demonstrations. This year’s featured artist is Lisa Ballard, whose landscape paintings explore colour, light and scale, inspired by her surroundings in Donaghadee and her travels. Lisa will open her studio on 15 and 16 August as part of Open Studios Weekend.
Seacourt Print Workshop, Bangor, will host Imogen Donegan as its resident artist for 2026/27 through the inaugural Artist in the Community Residency, supported by Ards and North Down Borough Council and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. As part of Creative Peninsula, Seacourt are holding an Open Studio Week (10–15 August), where visitors can meet Imogen and take part in a series of free activities including printmaking, storytelling sessions and a sketchbook workshop.
To celebrate the arrival of the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil, Ards Arts Centre will host a special Musical Instruments Meet the Maker event showcasing beautifully hand-crafted musical instruments by three acclaimed local makers – William Smyth Harps, Boardman Violins and Avalon Guitars. Taking place on Wednesday 5 August from 7pm to 9pm, this informal evening offers audiences a unique opportunity to hear directly from the makers about their craft, see how their instruments are created and played, and engage in conversation with the artisans behind the work.
Highlights also include the popular Twilight Market and Arts Night in Conway Square, Newtownards on Friday 7 August, featuring live music from the Rare Aul Stuff and Jordan Lively, craft stalls and local food and drink, and a free Heritage Craft Afternoon at North Down Museum on Sunday 2 August, showcasing traditional skills such as knitting, natural dyeing and woodwork.
The Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Craig Blaney said: “Creative Peninsula is a highlight of our Arts calendar and an important celebration of the talent within our Borough. I encourage residents and visitors alike to explore the programme, visit local studios and support our creative community.”
“The Creative Peninsula programme continues to showcase the quality and variety of creative practice across the Borough,” said Emily Crawford, Arts and Heritage Manager at Ards and North Down Borough Council. “It provides valuable opportunities for people to experience and engage with local artists and makers.”
The full Creative Peninsula will go live and tickets to bookable workshops and events will go on sale on: Thursday 25 June at 12noon.
For more information, visit: creativepeninsulaandculture.org.uk
