Creativity, Community and Stories at the Courthouse
September was a busy and creative month at the Courthouse, bringing together local history, arts, storytelling and hands-on workshops for people of all ages.
We started the month with our Bushmills Memories Drop-In Event, delivered in partnership with Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust, The National Trust and Causeway Coast and Glens Museum Services. Community members brought along photographs, objects and memories to help contribute to the Museum Service's exhibition on the Giant's Causeway and the history of tourism in the area. It was a fascinating afternoon filled with stories, discoveries and shared memories.
Creativity flourished throughout the month with several group programmes led by talented local artists.
Christina from Meraki Art worked with participants from Ivy Leaf during a four-week mixed crafts programme. From decorating personalised tote bags to experimenting with clay, participants embraced new creative challenges while building confidence, friendships and skills along the way.
We also welcomed Ballycastle Base Group for the beginning of a creative programme with Christina. Participants designed and painted individual jigsaw pieces that represented their personalities and experiences. Together, these pieces will form a meaningful collaborative artwork to be proudly displayed at their premises.
September also marked the conclusion of our four-week programme with CAN, facilitated by Natasha Duddy. Participants created vibrant glass sun catchers, each uniquely designed before being brought together to create a beautiful collaborative display. The finished artwork will brighten the CAN base and serve as a lasting reminder of the programme.
Storytelling returned to the Courthouse with the first of our Autumn Storytelling Sessions, led by Resident Storyteller Colin Urwin. Filled with stories, songs and plenty of laughter, the session provided a wonderful opportunity for people to come together and enjoy a good yarn in great company.
Our popular Kids Crafting at the Courthouse sessions also returned after the summer break. Young crafters got creative during a Back to School themed workshop, decorating pencil cases and taking part in school-inspired crafts. Later in the month, our Portraits session encouraged children to create funny faces and imaginative self-portraits, resulting in plenty of colourful artwork and smiles.
September was a fantastic month of creativity, connection and learning. From celebrating local heritage and sharing stories to exploring new artistic techniques, it was wonderful to see so many people engaging with our programmes.
A huge thank you to all of our artists, partners, funders and participants for helping make these events such a success.
If you're part of a community group and would like to take part in one of our creative workshops, we'd love to hear from you. Visit our community page to discover the range of workshops available and find out how your group can get involved.