Ballycastle SDLP Councillor, Dónal Cunningham has called for local based artists and craftspeople to link up in a bid to further promote the Arts and Crafts sector which exists in Ballycastle, Rathlin Island and the Glens of Antrim.
Councillor Cunningham said: “We have such a rich variety of artists and craftspeople. We are home to a huge variety of talents such as potters, painters, photographers, sculptors, jewellery designers and furniture makers and much more. Many have already come together for the Ballycastle Community Markets but I believe there is still a huge potential for this industry to grow further by targeting the tourism industry and encouraging visitors to visit Ballycastle, Rathlin Island and the Glens to sample art and craft.
Promoting our local arts and crafts serves also to promote the whole region, and can bring benefits for all year round. Once visitors discover how beautiful our area is and the quality of arts and crafts on offer they will want to keep coming back.
“Once we mark Moyle out as being somewhere that nurtures and encourages arts and crafts, we will be sending out the message that it is a great place for artists and crafts makers to earn a livelihood, and the sort of place where young and talented people can build a career.”
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