Linen in Lisburn- A walking tour

Come join us for a walking tour on Saturday 16th September from 11 - 12 am to uncover the legacy of Linen in Lisburn and Lagan Valley with historian and accredited tour guide John Bradbury.

The tour will illuminate key events, buildings and developments in the city from the influence of the Huguenots to the development and global influence of Barbour Threads.

Starting out in the Linen Rooms at R-Space Gallery participants will take a stroll about and stop at the following sites.

Return to RSpace Gallery for a warming cuppa and any follow up questions and comments. The full tour is expected to take approx 1.5hours.

Please wear comfortable shoes and weather appropriate clothing. This event is FREE but attendees are encouraged to donate a minimum of £5 to support the work of R-Space Gallery ( NIC106350). Cash donations are also accepted at the door.

Image - Linen Biennale Opening courtesy of Neal Cambell.

As part of R-Space Gallery's commitment to improving wellbeing through engagement in the arts, this year's Linen Biennale will be accompanied by art workshops highlighting the innovative use of intaglio printmaking in 18th Century Ireland. This Downpatrick Men’s Shed week four workshop is now sold out.

Francis Nixon and Theophilus Thompson were pioneering printers who, at the Drumcondra Printworks near Dublin in 1752, were the first to use copper plates successfully to create patterns on linen. By 1757 he had moved to England, joining George Amyand in his calico-printing factory at Phippsbridge in Surrey. The partnership continued until their deaths in the mid 1760s, and the firm continued as Nixon & Company, under which name this fabric was produced, until 1789. The technique quickly spread to London before J.P. Oberkampf took the technique to France creating the distinctive and prolific Rococo style typical of “Toiles de Jouy” prints, though the spread of this technique to Jouy is also accredited to Scotsman, Thomas Bell.

This community engagement project will engage a range of groups across Northern Ireland in creating their own printed design onto linen. Using the pastoral patterns established by Nixon and made famous at Jouy, participants will design a contemporary image reflecting the use of rural and city green spaces, areas that saw an upsurge in use and appreciation during Covid. They will be introduced to the intaglio process of drypoint, a cost effective and accessible alternative to copper engraving, from which they will print their designs onto linen. In keeping with the techniques employed in the mid 19th century, they will also apply colour with watercolour. One example of each participant's design will be retained for inclusion in a large-scale wall hanging in which individual prints will be stitched together. This piece will be displayed in Libraries near where each participant group is based. Equipment and tools will be provided.

About Robert Peters:

Robert Peters has over 35 years experience of working in the visual arts sector as an exhibiting artist, curator, arts facility manager and educator. He established Arts Creative to deliver high-quality art workshops to schools, community groups and within health settings. He uses traditional and innovative techniques to support creativity, wellbeing, education and community development. Techniques include painting, drawing, digital processes, 3D construction and all forms of printmaking. The visual arts provide a limitless source of material and techniques through which to foster skill development, personal growth, community development, emotional wellbeing and issue awareness.

As part of R-Space Gallery's commitment to improving wellbeing through engagement in the arts, this year's Linen Biennale will be accompanied by art workshops highlighting the innovative use of intaglio printmaking in 18th Century Ireland. This Downpatrick Men’s Shed week three workshop is now sold out.

Francis Nixon and Theophilus Thompson were pioneering printers who, at the Drumcondra Printworks near Dublin in 1752, were the first to use copper plates successfully to create patterns on linen. By 1757 he had moved to England, joining George Amyand in his calico-printing factory at Phippsbridge in Surrey. The partnership continued until their deaths in the mid 1760s, and the firm continued as Nixon & Company, under which name this fabric was produced, until 1789. The technique quickly spread to London before J.P. Oberkampf took the technique to France creating the distinctive and prolific Rococo style typical of “Toiles de Jouy” prints, though the spread of this technique to Jouy is also accredited to Scotsman, Thomas Bell.

This community engagement project will engage a range of groups across Northern Ireland in creating their own printed design onto linen. Using the pastoral patterns established by Nixon and made famous at Jouy, participants will design a contemporary image reflecting the use of rural and city green spaces, areas that saw an upsurge in use and appreciation during Covid. They will be introduced to the intaglio process of drypoint, a cost effective and accessible alternative to copper engraving, from which they will print their designs onto linen. In keeping with the techniques employed in the mid 19th century, they will also apply colour with watercolour. One example of each participant's design will be retained for inclusion in a large-scale wall hanging in which individual prints will be stitched together. This piece will be displayed in Libraries near where each participant group is based. Equipment and tools will be provided.

About Robert Peters:

Robert Peters has over 35 years experience of working in the visual arts sector as an exhibiting artist, curator, arts facility manager and educator. He established Arts Creative to deliver high-quality art workshops to schools, community groups and within health settings. He uses traditional and innovative techniques to support creativity, wellbeing, education and community development. Techniques include painting, drawing, digital processes, 3D construction and all forms of printmaking. The visual arts provide a limitless source of material and techniques through which to foster skill development, personal growth, community development, emotional wellbeing and issue awareness.

As part of R-Space Gallery's commitment to improving wellbeing through engagement in the arts, this year's Linen Biennale will be accompanied by art workshops highlighting the innovative use of intaglio printmaking in 18th Century Ireland. (Week 4 Sold Out)

Francis Nixon and Theophilus Thompson were pioneering printers who, at the Drumcondra Printworks near Dublin in 1752, were the first to use copper plates successfully to create patterns on linen. By 1757 he had moved to England, joining George Amyand in his calico-printing factory at Phippsbridge in Surrey. The partnership continued until their deaths in the mid 1760s, and the firm continued as Nixon & Company, under which name this fabric was produced, until 1789. The technique quickly spread to London before J.P. Oberkampf took the technique to France creating the distinctive and prolific Rococo style typical of “Toiles de Jouy” prints, though the spread of this technique to Jouy is also accredited to Scotsman, Thomas Bell.

This community engagement project will engage a range of groups across Northern Ireland in creating their own printed design onto linen. Using the pastoral patterns established by Nixon and made famous at Jouy, participants will design a contemporary image reflecting the use of rural and city green spaces, areas that saw an upsurge in use and appreciation during Covid. They will be introduced to the intaglio process of drypoint, a cost effective and accessible alternative to copper engraving, from which they will print their designs onto linen. In keeping with the techniques employed in the mid 19th century, they will also apply colour with watercolour. One example of each participant's design will be retained for inclusion in a large-scale wall hanging in which individual prints will be stitched together. This piece will be displayed in Libraries near where each participant group is based. Equipment and tools will be provided.

About Robert Peters:

Robert Peters has over 35 years experience of working in the visual arts sector as an exhibiting artist, curator, arts facility manager and educator. He established Arts Creative to deliver high-quality art workshops to schools, community groups and within health settings. He uses traditional and innovative techniques to support creativity, wellbeing, education and community development. Techniques include painting, drawing, digital processes, 3D construction and all forms of printmaking. The visual arts provide a limitless source of material and techniques through which to foster skill development, personal growth, community development, emotional wellbeing and issue awareness.

As part of R-Space Gallery's commitment to improving wellbeing through engagement in the arts, this year's Linen Biennale will be accompanied by art workshops highlighting the innovative use of intaglio printmaking in 18th Century Ireland. This Downpatrick Men’s Shed week one workshop is now sold out.

Francis Nixon and Theophilus Thompson were pioneering printers who, at the Drumcondra Printworks near Dublin in 1752, were the first to use copper plates successfully to create patterns on linen. By 1757 he had moved to England, joining George Amyand in his calico-printing factory at Phippsbridge in Surrey. The partnership continued until their deaths in the mid 1760s, and the firm continued as Nixon & Company, under which name this fabric was produced, until 1789. The technique quickly spread to London before J.P. Oberkampf took the technique to France creating the distinctive and prolific Rococo style typical of “Toiles de Jouy” prints, though the spread of this technique to Jouy is also accredited to Scotsman, Thomas Bell.

This community engagement project will engage a range of groups across Northern Ireland in creating their own printed design onto linen. Using the pastoral patterns established by Nixon and made famous at Jouy, participants will design a contemporary image reflecting the use of rural and city green spaces, areas that saw an upsurge in use and appreciation during Covid. They will be introduced to the intaglio process of drypoint, a cost effective and accessible alternative to copper engraving, from which they will print their designs onto linen. In keeping with the techniques employed in the mid 19th century, they will also apply colour with watercolour. One example of each participant's design will be retained for inclusion in a large-scale wall hanging in which individual prints will be stitched together. This piece will be displayed in Libraries near where each participant group is based. Equipment and tools will be provided.

About Robert Peters:

Robert Peters has over 35 years experience of working in the visual arts sector as an exhibiting artist, curator, arts facility manager and educator. He established Arts Creative to deliver high-quality art workshops to schools, community groups and within health settings. He uses traditional and innovative techniques to support creativity, wellbeing, education and community development. Techniques include painting, drawing, digital processes, 3D construction and all forms of printmaking. The visual arts provide a limitless source of material and techniques through which to foster skill development, personal growth, community development, emotional wellbeing and issue awareness.

As part of R-Space Gallery's commitment to improving wellbeing through engagement in the arts, this year's Linen Biennale will be accompanied by art workshops highlighting the innovative use of intaglio printmaking in 18th Century Ireland. (Week 3 Sold Out)

Francis Nixon and Theophilus Thompson were pioneering printers who, at the Drumcondra Printworks near Dublin in 1752, were the first to use copper plates successfully to create patterns on linen. By 1757 he had moved to England, joining George Amyand in his calico-printing factory at Phippsbridge in Surrey. The partnership continued until their deaths in the mid 1760s, and the firm continued as Nixon & Company, under which name this fabric was produced, until 1789. The technique quickly spread to London before J.P. Oberkampf took the technique to France creating the distinctive and prolific Rococo style typical of “Toiles de Jouy” prints, though the spread of this technique to Jouy is also accredited to Scotsman, Thomas Bell.

This community engagement project will engage a range of groups across Northern Ireland in creating their own printed design onto linen. Using the pastoral patterns established by Nixon and made famous at Jouy, participants will design a contemporary image reflecting the use of rural and city green spaces, areas that saw an upsurge in use and appreciation during Covid. They will be introduced to the intaglio process of drypoint, a cost effective and accessible alternative to copper engraving, from which they will print their designs onto linen. In keeping with the techniques employed in the mid 19th century, they will also apply colour with watercolour. One example of each participant's design will be retained for inclusion in a large-scale wall hanging in which individual prints will be stitched together. This piece will be displayed in Libraries near where each participant group is based. Equipment and tools will be provided.

About Robert Peters:

Robert Peters has over 35 years experience of working in the visual arts sector as an exhibiting artist, curator, arts facility manager and educator. He established Arts Creative to deliver high-quality art workshops to schools, community groups and within health settings. He uses traditional and innovative techniques to support creativity, wellbeing, education and community development. Techniques include painting, drawing, digital processes, 3D construction and all forms of printmaking. The visual arts provide a limitless source of material and techniques through which to foster skill development, personal growth, community development, emotional wellbeing and issue awareness.

As part of R-Space Gallery's commitment to improving wellbeing through engagement in the arts, this year's Linen Biennale will be accompanied by art workshops highlighting the innovative use of intaglio printmaking in 18th Century Ireland. (Sold Out)

Francis Nixon and Theophilus Thompson were pioneering printers who, at the Drumcondra Printworks near Dublin in 1752, were the first to use copper plates successfully to create patterns on linen. By 1757 he had moved to England, joining George Amyand in his calico-printing factory at Phippsbridge in Surrey. The partnership continued until their deaths in the mid 1760s, and the firm continued as Nixon & Company, under which name this fabric was produced, until 1789. The technique quickly spread to London before J.P. Oberkampf took the technique to France creating the distinctive and prolific Rococo style typical of “Toiles de Jouy” prints, though the spread of this technique to Jouy is also accredited to Scotsman, Thomas Bell.

This community engagement project will engage a range of groups across Northern Ireland in creating their own printed design onto linen. Using the pastoral patterns established by Nixon and made famous at Jouy, participants will design a contemporary image reflecting the use of rural and city green spaces, areas that saw an upsurge in use and appreciation during Covid. They will be introduced to the intaglio process of drypoint, a cost effective and accessible alternative to copper engraving, from which they will print their designs onto linen. In keeping with the techniques employed in the mid 19th century, they will also apply colour with watercolour. One example of each participant's design will be retained for inclusion in a large-scale wall hanging in which individual prints will be stitched together. This piece will be displayed in Libraries near where each participant group is based. Equipment and tools will be provided.

R-Space Gallery will be providing a free screen-printing workshop (SOLD OUT) delivered by artist Lucy Turner to both celebrate Earth Day and coincide with the gallery’s exhibition “McCaw-Allan ... A Tea-Towel Collection”. The exhibition presents a collection of linen tea towels produced by Lurgan company McCaw Allan over several decades. The exhibition runs from 22 April to 19 May.

The screen printing workshop will be held in Lisburn City Library, 3 Linenhall St, Antrim, Lisburn BT28 1FJ

The workshop will allow the participants to explore printing onto linen using floral motifs. They will create an artwork made from overprinting paper stencils in a wide range of colours. Being Earth Day, recycled materials will be used. Lucy will explain her work process and ethics and will bring some of her screen prints to view and her personal screens to print with. All materials are included. Bring a packed lunch. Participants are invited to visit the exhibition in R-Space Gallery, Castle Street, after the workshop.

About the Artist

Lucy Turner is based in Bangor, Co Down. She received a Masters in Fine Art from the University of Ulster. As an artist Lucy has developed her own style in printmaking pushing boundaries by developing her unique and experimental style. This investigational approach has given her the opportunity to participate in international exhibitions and residencies both in Ireland and abroad. Her experimental process includes screen printing directly on copper, brass or stainless steel creating sculptural wall art suitable for interior and exterior settings, this process has awarded her many commissions primarily in the health care sector. She is currently artist in residence in HMP Maghaberry where she teaches ceramics.

This workshop has been funded by the Lurgan Townscape Heritage Scheme, an initiative supported by the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and the National Lottery Players through The National Lottery Heritage Fund.