Threads of Empowerment – Ulster Museum Exhibition

People worldwide have communicated their experiences of violence and conflict, human rights violations, poverty, oppression and environmental issues through the form of textile narrative.

The result is a visual record and a form of artistic expression based on personal, and often very poignant testimonies.

This collaborative exhibition at the Ulster Museum will explore the strengths and highlights of the Conflict Textiles collection – its history, international diversity and the important themes it addresses.

Learn more about the Conflict Textiles collection and associated activities through this link.

What to know

  • This exhibition will take place in Art Gallery 3 at the Ulster Museum
  • It’s free to visit and no booking is necessary.
  • Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00 until Sunday 27 April 2025

Drawing Support: Murals, Memory and Identity

The tradition of political mural painting here began in 1908, making it the longest, continuous example in the world.

Murals can be found all over Northern Ireland, in both cities and small towns. They have been part of the Ulster Museum collection for over two decades. Like murals do, this exhibition explores themes of identity, cultural expression and conflict legacy.

Bill Rolston has been photographing political murals in Northern Ireland since 1981 and has become a leading authority on the subject. This exhibition will be based on his photographs, many of which have been published through five volumes entitled Drawing Support between 1991 and 2022 and on his website.

What to know

  • This Ulster Museum exhibition will be open from Saturday 13th April 2024 and run until December 2024.
  • We recommend this exhibition for ages 14+.
  • It’s free to visit the Ulster Museum and no booking is needed.
  • The Ulster Museum is a shared space, and at times, private events take place in the room where this exhibition is on display, which means there will be days when the exhibition will not be accessible to the public. If you are coming to the museum specifically to see this exhibition, we advise contacting the museum in advance to check if the exhibition is going to be open.

Bad Bridget at Ulster American Folk Park

The Bad Bridget exhibition at Ulster American Folk Park (on display until April 2024) tells the stories of the thousands of women who left Ireland for North America between 1838 and 1918. Many of whom found themselves facing troubles and struggling to survive.

Through a sensory experience of the lives of these women, visitors are taken on a journey beginning with their lives in Ireland, their experiences of life alone at sea to seeking jobs once they landed in America; as well as the real life experiences of living in poverty within the tenement housing of the period.

Bad Bridget is a continuing collaboration between the museum, Queen’s University Belfast and  Ulster University and is based on significant research carried out by Dr Elaine Farrell and Dr Leanne McCormick.

Razieh Art Exhibition in Antrim Library

Antrim Library is welcoming an art exhibition from artist Razieh, a local artist from Afghanistan and has settled in Antrim. The exhibition will be open to the public from 2nd September onwards.

Come along to the exhibition and enjoy all of the colourful and inspirational work that will be exhibited during the month of September. This event is a partnership between Libraries NI and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.

Young Men, Masculinities and Imprisonment: An Ethnographic Study in Northern Ireland

You are invited to the launch of ‘Young Men, Masculinities and Imprisonment: An Ethnographic Study in Northern Ireland’ (Palgrave Macmillan) by Dr Conor Murray.

 

The event will take place on Wednesday 20th September 2023, 5-7pm at Ulster University’s Belfast Campus (BC Building).

 

Running order for the event:

 

5-5.30pm

 

Wine and canapes Atrium
5.30-5.40pm Welcome by Dr Brendan Coyle

 

BC-03-115
5.40-6pm Young Men, Masculinities and Imprisonment by Dr Conor Murray

 

BC-03-115
6-6.30pm Panel Discussion: Chaired by Dr Brendan Coyle, with panellists Dr Conor Murray (UU), Professor Shadd Maruna (QUB), Fiona Greene (CEO NIACRO), and representation from Department of Justice. BC-03-115

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.30-7pm Q&A, and Close BC-03-115

 

No Alibis Bookstore in association with Springer Nature are happy to offer a Special Launch Price of £34.99 (RRP £110.00). Please order your copy HERE or visit https://noalibis.com/

 

Please register for the event: Eventbrite

 

 

 

Flowers from around the world workshop

The event will be held on scheme in Girona Close. Gardening together to make window boxes for yourselves and your neighbours. We’ll make beautiful boxes of flowering plants from around the world to bring hope and cheer to our homes for autumn and little flowering bulbs to show us signs of spring in the winter months.  A Fun intergenerational event for all members of your family with all materials and tuition provided.  Gardening helps us to sew hope for the future while nurturing our present happiness and mental health.

Contact: Deirdre.nash@habinteg-ulster.co.uk for more information

Good Relations TOGETHER Youth Event

A showcase event to highlight the different cultures and
traditions that reside in our community and surrounding areas. This will be an evening of dance, art work, culture cuisines and much much more. All is welcomed!!

Contact: eglintoncommunity@yahoo.co.uk for more information.

 

Inspiring Women through the Art of Photography & Storytelling Exhibition in Cookstown

Over a period of 14 weeks, a group of 8 women from Cookstown of all ages and from various diverse backgrounds, came together to learn photography. The project was about much more than merely taking photographs, it involved empowerment, sharing experiences, storytelling, building confidence, writing
journals and learning through art. Connections were made and friendships were formed.

This was an individual project as well as a group project.

On Wednesday 2oth September 2023 (6-9pm) the book will be exhibited and launched in the Hub, Cookstown.

The event will be compered by Tim McGarry.

Shared Spaces Photo Exhibition

The Shared Spaces Project exhibition presents photographs and reflections from young people aged 16-18 who live in or grew up in Belfast. It tells us how public spaces, such as restaurants, parks, streets or buses, are viewed and how they shape young peoples’ experiences of community relations in the City. Featuring discussion with the young people and the researchers who interviewed them, the exhibition will help us take stock of how young people in Belfast view progress made toward good relations, stimulating thinking on remaining challenges.

The exhibition is being held at The Crumlin Road Gaol on the UN International Day of Peace as part of the ‘Our Lives, Our Legacy’ event organised by Springboard Opportunities. The event includes a youth -led immersive exhibition and performance that will explore the legacy of the Good Friday Agreement and share young people’s hopes for the future.

Inclusive Global Histories Trail

The Inclusive Global Histories exhibition is the start of Ulster Museum’s journey into decolonisation, diversity and inclusion.

Across Ulster Museum, new labels are considering our history, nature and art galleries through an inclusive global lens. These interpretations include multiple perspectives and encourage dialogue. These new interpretive panels are part of the Inclusive Global Histories exhibition located within the History Galleries.

More information on specific objects can be seen via the Ulster Museum website and social media channels, as featured objects from the World History collection have been selected from each of the continents.

A new interpretive guide to decolonising our collections is available online.

Free to visit, Ulster Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 17:00