We are delighted to announce that 18 new artists have been added to The Duncairn Art Shop. We were bowled over by the response to our Open Call back in late April, and are so excited to introduce you to some of the new artists here in our Art Shop Introductions Blog Series!

The Art Shop is open Monday – Friday from 10am – 3pm and you can find it in between the reception to the 174 Trust and the Café @ The Duncairn. We have moved around our displays and are over the moon to be able to showcase even more art and creativity from a wide range of artists from different backgrounds who work in various art forms – from printmaking to painting, crochet to ceramics, jewellery to poetry and more!

Call in any weekday to Support Local, Support Ethical, Support Artists and Support Each Other.

Alexander Edwards – Basketcase

The ancient craft of willow weaving is an integral part of our cultural heritage and, despite having struggled for time as an endangered craft, has experienced an artisan resurgence in the past decade. Alexander Edward proudly grows and harvests their own willow organically on the Strangford Lough shoreline before creating woven goods by hand in their urban Belfast workshop and trading under the name Basketcase Belfast. Through the varieties cultivated, and their natural variance in colour, Alexander is able to play with recreating some of the colour and texture we see in our shared local landscape. As a late-deafened artist, living with single-sided deafness, Alexander embraces the recuperating and healing nature of rhythmic craft work.

Angela Gillen - ANGELA GILLEN ART

Growing up in Belfast with a view of the Cavehill from my bedroom window, I have always loved to paint and draw my surroundings & in particular, mountains. Living in The Mourne area for over 20 years, the beautiful colours and symmetry in nature are what inspire me to capture what I see. From the naturally flowing lines that form a tiny shell, to the dramatic lines that shape the spectacular Mournes, Mother Nature can provide everyone with the inspiration to be creative! I use pyrography (‘writing with fire’) and mixed media on wood to create my pieces & I hope they will bring you joy and a little piece of nature into your home.

Anna Krzyzanowska – Concrete Jungle

Anna was born and raised in Radom, Poland, and at age of 26 moved to Belfast. With a very creative personality with many art skills, it’s no surprise that Anna creates such beauty out of concrete. Using everyday objects such as cartons and yoghurt pots, Anna creates unique and practical concrete pots and dishes for your home.

Anna McDonald Anakaa - Dooh Paint

I make paintings inspired by everyday life, drawing attention to overlooked spaces and buildings that catch my eye. Working primarily with acrylic paint built up in layers, I play with texture to mirror the constant changing of my environment. I seek to balance structure and spontaneity within compositions. I am drawn to strong architectural forms which anchor the paintings, while loose gestures and layered surfaces introduce movement and unpredictability. I hope that the work feels familiar while encouraging personal interpretation.

Caroline Murphy – PansySoup

I am a visual artist & graphic designer from Belfast, Northern Ireland. I am inspired by traditional art forms and design practices such as printmaking and collage as I enjoy unpredictable and spontaneous outcomes.

Catherine Gaston - CATHERINE GASTON ARTIST

Catherine Gaston is an artist based in North Belfast.

Graduating with a BA and Master’s in fine art from Belfast school of Art, Catherine has works in the collections of Arts Care, The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Belfast School of Art and many private collectors.

Catherine’s most current works explore a fascination with trees, nature and landscape. Intricate tree studies and paintings that capture fleeting light, skyscapes and changing landscapes surrounding Belfast City are her mainstay. Rooted firmly in her practice is a desire to capture the beauty, resilience, and power of nature and the transient yet constant inspiration and wonder it offers.

Charlotte Murphy – Sew, What’s the Craic?

I’m Charlotte, the maker behind Sew What’s the Craic — a Belfast studio where I turn old fabrics into bags with big stories. Most of what I use comes from around here: vintage tea towels, worn‑in denim, old shirts, bedclothes and whatever else I can rescue before it’s binned.

Every piece is cut and sewn by hand, one at a time, using fabrics that already carry a bit of story.

You’ll find my work at markets around Belfast and in a few local shops that back small makers

CORRINA ASKIN - CORRINA ASKIN WEBSITE

Author/illustrator, Character Designer, Animator, Immersive and Interactive Spaces Designer - Royal College of Art, London trained, Corrina has over 35 years experience. Multi award winning artist, including Bologna Children’s Book Fair, The White Ravens Award, Children’s Books Ireland Bisto Award for illustration, Blé publishing Award. Clients include Disney, MTV, Channel 4, RTÉ, CBeebies, The House of Lords, Queens and Ulster Universities, Belfast City Council, The Arts Council of Ireland and The Irish Film Board.

Katya Buryakova - Katya Buryakova Website

Katya Buryakova is an artist and illustrator based in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

She completed her degree in Graphic Design in 2018 and received her Master’s in Fine Art from Ulster University in 2022.

Working across painting, sculpture and illustration, Katya’s practice explores the connections between people, place and the natural world. Her work is shaped by curiosity, playfulness and a love of the textures, colours and characters found in nature.

Katya is currently focused on illustration, creating playful characters inspired by Irish landscapes, wildlife and everyday surroundings. Through her work, she hopes to bring joy, warmth and a sense of wonder into every home.

Janice Hughes - Cat Island Crafts

Janice Hughes is a visual artist based in Newcastle, Co. Down. Since graduating from the Glasgow School of Art in 2017, her practice has expanded from filmmaking to include creative workshops, exhibitions and commissions, alongside drawing, painting, collage and embroidery.

Cat Island Crafts began in 2024 as a collaboration with her mum, Jeanette Hughes, who taught her sewing and embroidery. Inspired by a love of cats and nature, Cat Island Crafts reimagines preloved items through playful, colourful hand-embroidered and felt designs. Bags, bookmarks, crafts and clothing are created using upcycled clothing and recycled materials.