MEET THE MEMBER – Craft NI Gallery
Our MEET THE MEMBER series has already taken you to Own Art galleries across England, Scotland, and Wales – but today we’re shining a spotlight on Northern Ireland and catching up with Andreea McManus, Marketing and Communications Officer at Craft NI Gallery in Belfast. She shared insights into the country’s vibrant craft community, the vital role Craft NI plays within it, and why supporting professional development is key to ensuring sustainable careers for artists and makers in today’s creative economy.
Founded in 2004, Craft NI serves as the lead development body for contemporary craft in Northern Ireland. In 2017, it joined forces with the well-known Craft & Design Collective, opening a dedicated gallery in the heart of Belfast that showcases the best of local makers’ contemporary craft. Supported by grant funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Belfast City Council, alongside income from gallery sales, Craft NI delivers training programmes and development opportunities designed to nurture and empower craftspeople. At its core, every initiative reflects the organisation’s charitable mission: to foster a thriving, sustainable craft sector across Northern Ireland.
The gallery showcases the work of more than 50 local makers, alongside guest artists from across the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Visitors can discover pieces in ceramics, jewellery, glass, wood, textiles, and mixed media – ranging from functional objects to decorative works at a variety of price points. Seasonal exhibitions, in particular, offer collectors the chance to acquire unique, one-of-a-kind pieces.
(Image: Adam Frew, Round Porcelain Bowl)
As Andreea explained, Craft NI “has always been keen to feature some of the best contemporary craft makers in Northern Ireland, while keeping the selection relevant for our customers and visitors from abroad.” She also highlighted that new makers are encouraged to apply for gallery representation. Applications are carefully reviewed by the Craft NI team and its Quality Panel, with new artists selected for the quality and originality of their work.
Northern Ireland’s craft community is a close-knit network – one that Craft NI is “proud to contribute to” through its ongoing support and sector development work. As Andreea highlighted, the country is home to many inspiring success stories. Generations of makers have flourished in Northern Ireland, including Michael and Deirdre McCrory, their daughter Cara Murphy – an acclaimed silversmith who has crafted four Grand National trophies – and Cara’s daughter Caitlin, now an award-winning silversmith and jeweller in her own right.
Ursula McGivern, Koi Pond
Today, the work of Northern Irish makers is increasingly visible on major international stages, with names such as Adam Frew, Anne Butler, Cara Murphy, Derek Wilson, Andrea Spencer, and Patricia Millar regularly appearing at high-profile events like Ceramic Art London and Collect.
Much of this creativity is rooted in a deep connection to place. Many makers draw inspiration from Northern Ireland’s dramatic landscapes and coastlines – whether in Andrea Hayes’ textile art or in the finely turned wooden bowls of Mark Hanvey, which Andreea describes as “wonderful reminders of a trip here.” Sustainability and heritage are also strong themes across the sector. Mourne Textiles, for example, have revitalised the original designs of founder Gerd Hay-Edie using vintage power looms, while also building exciting collaborations with renowned makers such as Margaret Howell and Carl Hansen. These partnerships reflect a wider ethos across Northern Ireland: a genuine commitment to supporting local makers and celebrating the value of craft – something Craft NI is proud to see at the heart of the community.
The gallery is a thoughtfully curated space, designed to present each work at its very best. But as Andreea explained, it offers far more than a visual experience: “the gallery is a warm and welcoming haven – quiet when needed, unrushed, and a step away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. It gives one the right state of mind to appreciate contemporary craft.” Adding to this atmosphere is the fact that many of the gallery staff are makers themselves, bringing a deep understanding and appreciation of the work on display. Andreea shared her hope that “visitors walk away inspired and with a greater understanding of the crafts and the skills of the makers involved.”
Craft NI also recognises the immense effort behind every handcrafted piece – and that being a maker means wearing many different hats. With this in mind, the gallery team is always ready to support artists, offering advice on pricing, packaging, and display, as well as providing training in areas like social media and marketing. Training and development sit at the heart of Craft NI’s mission – not only to support its gallery artists but to strengthen the wider community of Northern Irish craftspeople. The organisation provides practical support with in-house marketing and promotion, and keeps makers connected through a comprehensive weekly newsletter featuring open calls, residencies, and funding opportunities.
In 2020, Craft NI Gallery became part of the Own Art scheme, giving customers the option to spread the cost of purchases, interest-free and opening up the work of Northern Irish makers to a broader and more diverse audience. Andreea told us that, “Own Art has been a very welcome development for Craft NI Gallery and other galleries across Northern Ireland. It is transparent and easy to explain to customers.” The scheme is helping to make contemporary craft more accessible, offering customers flexibility while also providing makers and galleries with a welcome boost in sales. As Andreea explained, “At Craft NI, we know that sales are vital for a healthy and sustainable craft sector—they enable craft makers to continue doing what they do best: craft.” Own Art plays a key role in sustaining this ecosystem of makers, galleries, and collectors.
For customers, a handmade piece carries many layers of value: the skill of the maker, the hours invested, the mastery of materials, the originality of the design, and the artistic vision that brings it all together. Collecting craft not only brings personal enjoyment but also supports local makers and strengthens creative spaces within the community. As Andreea put it, “It could be a decorative piece that stirs your imagination every time you look at it, or a functional piece that makes you smile every time you use it – craft undoubtedly brings value to our everyday lives.”
Craft NI welcomes the way Own Art makes these experiences more affordable and accessible: “Arts and crafts are meant to be enjoyed. It’s great to see initiatives that allow people to do just that – be part of this cultural exchange, help make a difference to makers and the sector, and most importantly, enjoy the piece they fell in love within their own homes.”
Each year, August Craft Month takes place across the island of Ireland – a month-long celebration and a highlight in the cultural calendar, which Craft NI is always involved in. This year, their exhibition (Un)Bound invited contemporary makers to explore what it means to feel bound – to traditions, to skills, to disciplines, or to processes – and to reflect on when and why they choose to break or reimagine these ties. The exhibition runs until 27 September, with all works available to view and purchase both in the gallery and online.
Looking ahead, Craft NI has an exciting programme planned for the rest of the year. In October, the gallery will present an exhibition by ceramicist Derek Wilson, whose work currently features in the Ulster Museum’s Art of the Possible exhibition. Craft NI Gallery will also take part in the 145th Royal Ulster Academy Exhibition at the Ulster Museum this autumn, offering its makers an opportunity to reach new audiences in one of Northern Ireland’s most prestigious cultural venues. To close the year, the gallery will host a festive exhibition titled The Gift – the perfect place to discover unique, hand-crafted presents for your loved one.
“We have a lot to look forward to,” Andreea concluded.
Discover Craft NI for yourself:
Craft NI Gallery website: www.craftnigallery.org
Craft NI Exhibitions website: www.exhibitions.craftni.org
Follow them on Instagram: craftnigallery
With thanks to Andreea of Craft NI. This interview has been edited for clarity, length and readability.