Derry’s largest community arts and cultural festival, Féile 2011 has a huge series of Arts & Crafts workshops

Arts & Crafts at Féile

Derry’s largest community arts and cultural festival, Féile 2011 has a huge series of Arts & Crafts workshops for all ages as part of this year’s programme.

On Friday, August 5, local artist Tina McLaughlin will be hosting a Lantern Making Workshop at The Arts Factory. Bring your own jars and glass containers and transform them into beautiful outdoor lanterns. Cost: £3
On Saturday, August 6, there will be a choice of activities to choose from.
Participants can learn how to create their own unique fabric landscape by reusing and recycling scrap material and fabric. Later that day, participants can take the opportunity to create a modern twist on the traditional apron using bold pattern fabrics between 2pm and 5pm. All materials will be provided at these workshops. Cost: £10 per workshop.
A workshop for 5 to 11 year olds will take place on Monday, August 8, between 10am and 12noon. Kids will be able to explore the possibilities of turning everyday junk into creative craft projects, like an egg carton fire truck! Cost: £1.
On Tuesday, August 9, between 2pm and 4pm An Druma Mór in the Gasyard Centre will be turned into the Limerick room where people can drop by and try their hand at writing one of the most beloved forms of nonsense verse, facilitated by Poetry Chick Pamela Brown. Each limerick produced will be framed and displayed until Féile ends.
On Wednesday, August 10, it will be possible to either receive expert tuition by florists from Blooming Belles, or take part in a Jewellery making workshop hosted by Lorraine McWilliams. Cost: £10 per workshop.
On Friday, August 12, a photography masterclass will be hosted by Brandywell born artist Emmett McLaughlin who has carved out a career in photography in Liverpool where he has shot international DJ’s and worked for some of the biggest publications in music, fashion and wedding photography.
This week he comes home to deliver a workshop in photography, lighting, planning and post production. Examples of emmetts work can viewed at: www.robertemmett.co.uk/
And finally on the closing weekend of the Féile, a Kiln Sculpture building and firing workshop will be on offer. Renowned artist, Brian McGee is planning to construct a kiln which will itself be a sculpture and fire it to coincide with the Féíle finale festivities.
To book your place on any of the above workshops, call the Féile office on: 71. 262812. Early booking is advisable as numbers are limited.