'Secret Garden' to bloom in Derry’s Craft Village

Workshops will begin this Saturday to create a “Secret Garden,” a magical exhibition that will transform Derry’s Craft Village for the summer from end of next month.

Supported by Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Craft Development Programme - funded by Invest NI and the European Regional Development Fund - and the Inner City Trust, there will be a number of workshops and opening day events which people can get involved in alongside experienced local crafters and artists to make the garden bloom.

The first of the workshops takes place this with others following throughout the month of May covering, for example, decorative wire techniques, felting, embroidery and zip flowers. The workshops are free but spaces are limited and booking is therefore essential.

Drop-in workshops will also be held as part of an opening event for the exhibition on 30 May 2015.

Deirdre Harte, Craft Development Officer with Derry City and Strabane District Council, said the workshops were a "great opportunity" for people from all backgrounds to contribute to the "blooming" of the Secret Garden exhibition.

She added: "Help to create flowers, butterflies, spiders or trees that will make up the garden using a range of craft disciplines and techniques in workshops delivered by experienced crafters.

“The exhibition is an imaginative approach to bringing to life the skills and creativity of our local craft sector and this is your opportunity to be part of it”. “Finding amazing things in unexpected places is one idea behind the Secret Garden exhibition but another is to showcase large-scale installations by artists who usually create small-scale products. The challenge for the artist is to make something in keeping with their style but on a much bigger scale or, to use familiar techniques to create completely unique objects.”

For further details of the workshops taking place between 25 April and 21 May and to book a place go to - www.facebook.com/SuzanneWoodsArrooDesigns to leave a message; email [email protected] or ring Suzanne Woods on 07706 858244.