Late Night Art at The Crescent

Our current Late Night Art 2026 series has been curated by Conall McCauley! Conall is working with talented Befast-based artists to bring you a series of creative hands-on activities.

The Crescent is proud to be home to one of the largest colony's of Swifts on the island of Ireland. Each summer, Swifts trace an extraordinary migration route across continents, soaring through skies that stretch from Northern Europe to the southern reaches of Africa. Their journey is continuous, instinctive, and enduring.

For May's Edition of Late Night Art, and in collaboration with Wild Belfast, join us to celebrate the magnificent Swift. You will have the opportunity to learn more about this incredible red listed species, and create artwork inspired by the swift’s migration as both subject and metaphor: a way to reflect on how movement shapes not only geography, but identity, memory, and belonging.

Guided by artist Perla Mansour, you can use stencils, paints, and mixed media, to create a symbolic poster representing the swift’s migratory journey. The visual language of the posters will be shaped by a curated colour palette inspired by the regions swifts traverse: sun-bleached ochres of the Sahara, deep blues of the Mediterranean, earthy greens of European landscapes, allowing colour to act as both map and mood. At the heart of each poster will be the silhouette of a swift in flight. 

Posters created, can be displayed on a temporarily exhibition, grouped together to form a collective constellation of journeys. 

Also on the night Wild Belfast ecologist, Conor McKinney, will be on-site, to share learning about the Swifts, and will highlight the conversation measures The Crescent's building has is place to support the Swifts, including the Swift bricks installed on the external walls of the building. 

This is a free event with all materials provided. As always, no previous experience or booking is required - but get down early to grab a spot!  

Practical Info: 

• When: Late Night Art is the first Thursday of the month and activity is between 5.30 - 7.30pm 
• Location: Cafe Husk at The Crescent
• You don’t need to pre-book, and you can pop in any time
• All art materials, tea, coffee and wine provided
• About 14 people can participate at any one time, but there’s plenty of space around to enjoy refreshments, or maybe take it turns with someone! 

Do join us and soak up the atmosphere of Late Night Art, get creative and immerse yourself in Belfast’s art scene.

Conall McCauley is a Belfast-based Artist, Filmmaker and Arts Coordinator. Conall has a BA in Film Studies from Queen's University Belfast and has worked throughout Ireland as a freelance sound artist, animator, arts festival coordinator and curator. Conall is the 2025/26 Late Night Art Curator at The Crescent Arts Centre, and is focused on workshop collaborations with community outreach organisations.

For over 10 years Late Night Art has run across the whole of Belfast on the first Thursday of every month with many galleries opening their doors for an evening celebration of the vibrant visual arts scene.