Causeway Coast and Glens Arts Service is thrilled to unveil an exciting programme of cultural events, workshops, and exhibitions at Roe Valley and Flowerfield Arts Centres for 2025.

As the dark winter nights draw in, it's the perfect season to embrace cosy hobbies and uplifting experiences that bring warmth and light to your days. With something for everyone this January through to April, whether you’re a seasoned art enthusiast, a family looking for fun, or someone ready to try their hand at something creative, the new season’s line-up promises to engage and inspire you.

Flowerfield Arts Centre Highlights

At the heart of Flowerfield’s season is ‘Here, There & Them: Contemporary Irish Art from the ACNI Collection’ (11 January – 1 March). This stunning exhibition, featuring works from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s prestigious contemporary art collection, showcases a dynamic mix of mediums and interpretations of place, offering an eclectic view of modern Irish artistry. Join us for the exhibition launch on Saturday, 11 January, at 12 noon, including a guided tour by representatives from the Arts Council’s Collections and Acquisitions team.

Other must-see exhibitions include ’Thin Place’ by Bob Speers (15 March – 26 April), ethereal landscapes exploring the significance of bogs as ‘thin places’ and ‘The Way I See It’ (8 March – 26 April), a thought-provoking collection of 26 photographic viewpoints captured by women from Causeway & Mid Ulster Women’s Aid, with accompanying writers responding to the images.

Live music fans can look forward to Northern Lights Sessions from MÚLÚ, Gráinne Meyer & Paddy McKeown (7 March) and The Boondocks (5 April). Plus there will be Monday Matinee screenings each month including Golden Oldies like Some Like it Hot and Roman Holiday. On 28 March enjoy an evening of poetry from Cherry Smyth with One Mountain: SOLD featuring musical accompaniment from award winning vocalist Lauren Kinsella.

Creative workshops at Flowerfield include textiles, painting, ceramics, Tiffany-style glass, and monoprinting for adults, plus special 2-day courses with Janey Moffatt (textiles) and Damian Gorman (creative writing). Mums Meet and Make returns, offering workshops for mums on maternity leave with babies under one, including silk painting and yoga sessions. For children, Weekend Wonders creative workshops will have themes include Chinese New Year, Irish Language Week, and special sessions for Mother’s Day and Easter.

Roe Valley Arts Centre highlights

Roe Valley Arts Centre kicks off the season with ‘anama’ by Anne McAlarney (11 January – 1 February), a minimalist exhibition exploring the tension between the lost and found. Join the launch on 11 January at 1pm to meet the artist and discover her intriguing oil paintings.

Live Music Now will return with their popular Song and Scones concerts plus there will creative workshops for adults in film-making, painting, textiles, and more. Bites of Burns (23 January) and St. Brigid’s Mantle for Imbolc (31 January) offer unique culinary and craft experiences.

Kids can unleash their creativity with hands-on workshops in painting, abstract sculpture, and pottery, plus a fun bread-making session Bake and Bond (8 March), for guardians and children, led by Erin from The Edible Flower. Families can also enjoy the NI Science Festival’s exciting Look Closer screening, mini-lab workshops, and Celtic Chemistry activities during February half-term.

The centre’s major highlight is the Steinbeck Festival in February, celebrating the literary giant’s legacy with a packed programme including Mark Carruthers in Conversation with Fergal Keane (7 February), poetry evenings, local historic tours, and talks by the likes of photographer James Hughes, Dr. Linda McKeown and Declan Lawn and Louise Gallagher, two of the team behind the hit Television Series ‘Blue Lights’. There will also be special screenings for secondary school GCSE students of ‘Of Mice and Men’, with guidance on the novel and discussion on Steinbeck’s local connection. The Festival will also have a performance by Blues sensation Muireann Bradley.

There will be two exhibitions as part of the Festival. Steinbeck Connection Children’s Book Cover Exhibition (22 Feb – 22 Mar) showcasing imaginative and colourful book covers designed by local primary school pupils and the Steinbeck Dust Bowl Photography Exhibition: Leaving (3 Feb – 22 Mar) featuring 20 stunning photographs that capture the poignant theme of departure, offering visitors a deeply moving and thought-provoking experience.

Stay Cosy, Get Creative

Whether you’re exploring stunning art, enjoying live music, or finding joy in creating something new, this season at Roe Valley and Flowerfield Arts Centres offers countless ways to lift your spirits and connect with your community.

For full programme details and booking, visit roevalleyarts.com or flowerfield.org. You can also call Roe Valley (028 7776 0650) or Flowerfield (028 7083 1400).

Brochures are available from both centres and throughout the Borough.