Late Night Art at The Crescent

Our next series is curated by artist Amy Ortiz! Amy is working with talented Befast-based artists to bring you a series of creative hands-on activities.

The next 3 editions (Oct+Nov+Dec) will be led by the collective Nettle (Collette Conway and Kate Fossey) - a new, local art collective bringing unique art workshops to venues across Belfast with inclusivity, joy and community in mind.

The theme for October’s Late Night Art is Still-Life Drawing: Fruits & Flowers. 

Expect fruits, flowers, and vases to take over the Cafe area in The Crescent as Nettle create a modern take on the traditional still life. So why not pop in for a relaxed sketching session led by Nettle. 

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 be drawing at any one time, but there’s plenty of space around to enjoy refreshments, or maybe take it turns with someone! 

This is a great activity to enjoy by yourself or with friends and family. All are welcome and no experience is required! 

Do come along and soak up the atmosphere of Late Night Art, get creative and immerse yourself in Belfast’s art scene!

About the artists:

Amy Ortiz is a Belfast-based visual artist specialising in digital illustration and print design. A 2022 graduate of Communication Design from Glasgow School of Art, they have since produced a variety of creative print commissions for local charities and businesses. Alongside their ongoing freelance work, including as 2024/25 Late Night Art Curator at The Crescent Arts Centre, Amy is currently pursuing a Master’s in Arts Management with a focus on thoughtful and inclusive arts practices.

Nettle are a new collective bringing bespoke art workshops, activities and markets to a variety of organisations and venues. We plan unique art events with inclusivity and community in mind. Having worked together in their day jobs, as well as facilitating a weekly art and craft night and summer market, Collette and Kate enjoy working together and play well to each other's strengths. 

Collette Conway is a Derry born artist who is now based in Belfast. She graduated from Belfast School of Art in 2020 with a First Class Honours in Painting. Since then, she has exhibited in shows across Belfast and Derry in venues including The MAC (2020), The Nerve Centre (2019) and QSS (2021), and Ag Dul Ditreo na Greine in Arcade Studios (2022). Collette is an experienced Art Facilitator, she has been working for over a year with organisations such as Young At Art and Arts For All to deliver art events to a variety of people.

Kate Fossey is a Belfast based artist, working on her individual practice as a signwriter and illustrator having originally moved over from Birmingham to do a Masters degree in Conflict Transformation and Social Justice. Kate has experience as an Arts Facilitator with Creative Beans Collective and Nettle. Having co-run Creative Beans Collective for over a year, Kate is familiar with facilitating creative events with community and accessibility in mind and is interested in making them as fun and joyful as possible. 

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.