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Shore Collective | Threads of Time: Industry, Ecology, and the River Bann

Shore Collective

Threads of Time: Industry, Ecology, and the River Bann

15 May – Summer 2026

 

The F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council are delighted to present Shore Collective’s exhibition Threads of Time: Ecology and the River Bann. Threads of Time is a collaborative, multi-disciplinary art project focusing on the River Bann and its impact on the towns, people and industries around Banbridge and Portadown. Through their art works, the members of Shore Collective explore the heritage of the Bann, from its days at the heart of Irish linen production to its contemporary role in agriculture and the environmental impact of industry.

Shore Collective is an artist-led initiative and group studio based at the heart of Northern Ireland. It was founded by a group of creative local people and brings together artists from across a variety of media including fine art painting, textiles, photography, performance art, music, writing, ceramics and sculpture. With group studio spaces at Mount Zion House in Lurgan, Shore Collective gives artists the opportunity to develop their individual working practice, engage with a wider audience and showcase their work together both locally and internationally.

The Shore Collective members who have contributed to this exhibition are:

Joanna Breen, Dermot Burns, Maurice Burns, Ciara Campbell-Crawford, Tara Campbell, Chris Dummigan, Shaun Fitzpatrick, Eimear Harkin, Caitriona Kearns, Riona Kearns, Louise Lennon, Ciaran Maginnis, Arlene Marks, Kelly McCluskey, Julie McGowan, Kathryn Nelson, Kate Ritchie, Aislinn Prescott, Sandra Turley and Carol Willey.

Shore Collective would like to express their thanks to Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council for their continued support.

Make sarks fly

Make Sparks Fly

There is no better place to learn the traditional skills of blacksmithing than the beautiful, historic location of Moneypenny’s Forge, on the Newry Canal outside Portadown. Come along and Make Sparks Fly in our forge, where there is a range of classes to suit everyone from beginners to the more advanced metalworker.

 

Prices:

One-off Taster Sessions – £35.00 per person

6 Week Group Sessions (4 people) –£720.00 per group

Educational Visits – £36 per group (see Education section for details)

Other packages are available on request

Please purchase here but sessions need to be arranged by contacting Sarah – 02837523070