ABOUT US

HISTORY

Flaxart is an artist-run organisation which was founded in 1989 by a group of recent graduates seeking space to make large-scale sculpture and installation artworks. Space was eventually found in Edenderry Industrial Estate, an old linen mill building situated on the Crumlin Road in North Belfast.

As the organisation developed the studios received funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Belfast City Council which allowed the organisation to continue a sustained growth by allowing artists to develop their practice and hold numerous exhibitions.

THE FIRE

In June 2003 the building in which the studios where housed was destroyed by fire. Fortunately, this disaster, which completely destroyed the entire organisation’s contents, including all facilities and artwork, was not the end for the organisation, rather it was taken as an opportunity to take stock and move on and develop further.

RELOCATION

In 2004 Flaxart moved into new premises on Corporation Street in Belfast City Centre. Most of the original Flax Artists took spaces along with some new additions. An area of 1,320 square metres provides ample room to house an industrial scale workshop, 7 large studio spaces, 11 smaller studio spaces, an international residency space and a communal fabrication area. A large mezzanine area accommodates the organisation’s office and IT facilities.

FLAXART STUDIO HOLDERS

Alastair MacLennan, Barbara Freeman, Aisling O’Beirn, Daniel Jewesbury, Eleanor Phillips, Tony Hill, Joanna Karolini, Fiona Larkin, Martin Boyle, Una Walker, Leo Devlin, Lisa Malone, Mike Hogg, Philip Napier, Aideen Doran, Fionnuala Doran and Deirdre McKenna. Flaxart also provides office space for Bbeyond, an organisation dedicated to the promotion of performance art. www.bbeyondperformance.org

RESOURCES

Flaxart is unique in its provision of space for artists working on a large scale and Studio holders have all made an impact on Belfast through public art commissions and projects made possible by Flaxart facilities. We currently provide space for 18 artists and have increased access to the facilities through an associate membership. The work these artists produce is exhibited or sited locally and internationally and viewed by a range of audiences. Facilities include:

• an industrial scale workshop
• 7 large studio spaces (downstairs)
• 11 small studios spaces (upstairs)
• a communal fabrication area
• audio visual equipment
• broadband internet access