The photography exhibition is now open to the public. Please contact An Creagán Centre on 028 8076 1112 for opening hours.
We have uploaded some photographs of the exhibition and the opening night to An Creagán’s new Facebook page. Have a look!
We were happy to welcome Fiona Cassidy back to An Creagán for a book reading and signing following the publication of her first novel ‘Anyone for Seconds?’ Fiona kindly referred to the creative writing class she took at An Creagán Arts Programme as being ‘the place where it all began’ in the authors note of her first book.
You can find out lots more about Fiona Cassidy on her website.
Fiona Cassidy pictured with Clive (Arts Officer, An Creagán) and John (Manager, An Creagán)
Fiona with classmates, Marian and Mona, from the creative writing class she participated in at An Creagán!
An exciting range of arts workshops are commencing this February at An Creagán Centre, near Omagh in Co. Tyrone, as part of the centres Arts Programme. An Creagán Arts Programme, which is funded by National Lottery Funding through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Lloyds TSB Foundation for Northern Ireland, has gained a strong reputation attracting the best of local and national talent to deliver arts workshops at the centre. The spring term is no exception with high quality workshops in Digital Photography, Jewellery Making and Salsa Dance.
Sarah Fyffe
Join Clare Brady and learn to Salsa as she brings the inimitable Sabroso Salsa Dancing experience to An Creagán. Sabroso is the North West’s First and Number 1 Salsa Club who are proud to have the only two UKA qualified Salsa Instructors in the region, Clare being one of them! She has taught the art form from Kildare to Belfast and her clear passion for Salsa comes across in her teaching. Clare will be teaching the LA Style Salsa (there are three styles Cuban, LA and New York) and there are a lot of moves and turns in this fun dance that is known and enjoyed worldwide. This is a great opportunity to try something a little different. All abilities are welcome and you don’t need to bring a partner!
Carol Kinloch Beaded Designs
Finally, Jewellery designer Carol Kinloch will guide participants through the process of creating their own unique pieces from beautiful glass beads, including necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Carol, a life long crafter, has been creating jewellery for six years, recently finding herself drawn to working with glass seed beads and hand stitched designs. Carol, who’s beaded designs are stocked in An Creagán Craft and Gift Shop, enjoys creating wedding jewellery which lets her indulge in her love of Swarovski crystal beads. During the Jewellery Making course participants will learn the basic techniques of planning, threading, knotting, weaving and fitting clasps and can choose from a range of colours, sizes and finishes to create dazzling, unique pieces to take home with them. No previous artistic experience is necessary for these relaxed, fun and creative workshops and all materials are provided.
For more information or bookings please contact Clive McFarland, Arts Officer at An Creagán Centre on 028 8076 1112 or email arts@ancreagan.com
One of the songs recorded at An Creagán recently
Local bands have been recording at An Creagán in recent weeks with engineers from The Nerve Centre. Check back soon to hear the final songs!
Fiona Cassidy
“I have always enjoyed writing and when I heard about the classes which were being mentored by John Bradbury, a writer from Belfast, I decided to enroll in the hope that it might give me the push I needed to start submitting my work to publishers.” Fiona said. “It was a wonderful experience as not only was John a great teacher but the others whom I attended the classes with were good listeners and always full of useful suggestions and encouragement. I would advise anyone who is interested in writing or honing the skills they have to attend creative writing classes as not only do you meet people with similar aspirations to yourself but you can also pick up a lot of useful hints and tips from their experiences.”
Anyone for Seconds?
Fiona will be doing a reading and book signing in An Creagán Centre on Thursday 17th December at 7.30pm. Come along and get a book signed by a local author and give your loved one the perfect Christmas present!
Although a work of fiction, Fiona’s first novel, deals with issues that have presented themselves in her life, predominantly her experience of being a single mother, embarking on a relationship where her partner has children and starting a second family. “As a single parent for a number of years and being involved in complex family circumstances – where our household can fluctuate from five to seven to accommodate my partner Philip’s children – I know how challenging and difficult both situations can be.” Fiona explains. Fiona’s home is a very noisy, busy abode but a happy and fun-filled one nonetheless.
“I often wondered what way things would have worked out had the children been older when we first began going out together and thought it would be fun to explore that situation as I could see the scope for lots of humour and entertainment whilst tackling an issue which seems prevalent in our society with the disappearance of the ‘nuclear’ ‘2.4 kids’ family.”
Fiona is currently working on her second novel which is to be published next year. You can find out more about Fiona and her writings on her website.
Upcoming arts courses running in An Creagán Centre for the new year include Digital Photography, Salsa Dancing and Jewellery Making. Anyone who would like further information on the arts programme at An Creagán can contact the Arts officer on 028 8076 1112.
The art piece below is a combined outcome of our sculpture workshops in which participants were challenged to create a piece of public art. The piece is inspired by the natural plant forms found in the surrounding bogland area at An Creagán and is on permanent display at the centre. Students also created their own unique sculptures to take home with them.
The Rainbow Club are currently taking our 10 week arts & crafts workshop, trying everything from painting on glass to working with wire, wax and collage.
We will post images of final outcomes on completion of the workshops. Thanks to the volunteers for helping out each week!
Local photographer Harry Dale sent us these photographs he took at An Creagan Centre during one of our photography workshops last season. Please click the images to enlarge.
We will be running more photography workshops soon so watch this space, or email arts@ancreagan.com to join our arts mailing list. You can see more of past participant Harry’s photographs on his website.
Youth Theatre, Mosaic Art and Band Recording
Published September 14, 2009 Uncategorized Leave a CommentAnother exciting round of arts workshops are launching at An Creagán Centre this October as part of the centres busy arts programme. An Creagán Arts Programme, which is funded by National Lottery Funding through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Lloyds TSB Foundation for Northern Ireland, has gained a strong reputation and continues to attract the best of local and national talent. This term is no exception with high quality workshops in youth theatre, mosaics and unique band recording sessions.
Band Recording Sessions
A fun and fast paced theatre programme for young people is taking off at the centre this October. These drama workshops, which will be taking place on Thursday evenings, are facilitated by popular local artist Peter McLaughlin who has over 25 years experience working in theatre and television. The participants will gain knowledge of working with many of the aspects in theatre from improvisation work, character construction, script development and stage craft combining in end of series performance for friends, family and the public at An Creagán Centre this Christmas!
Youth Theatre
Finally, award winning ceramicist Deirdre Lagan Eastwood makes a welcome return with a brand new workshop in Mosaic Art for Beginners. In these workshops Deirdre will explain the process of creating mosaics. Create beautiful indoor and outdoor unique mosaic pieces for your home and garden including mirror frames, plant pots and stepping stones. No previous artistic experience is necessary for these relaxed, fun and creative workshops and all materials are provided.
The arts programme at An Creagán Visitor Centre has an ongoing schedule of arts workshops and events. For more information on the programme or to enroll on any of these workshops please contact the centre on 028 8076 1112 or email arts@ancreagan.com
An Creagán Arts Programme 