What's On
Charys Wilson – Half Light
The work is inspired in part by the practice of forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku: a Japanese tradition of spending quiet, mindful time among trees. Research shows that this kind of intentional time in nature can reduce stress, improve mood, and even boost the immune system.
For many of us this kind of immersive experience can feel out of reach, especially during the colder months or in urban environments. This installation is a way to bring some of those benefits indoors: a moment of calm, light, and quiet connection.
Passages by Anushiya Sundaralingam
The boats’ delicate frameworks echo the human skeleton—structures that support yet fracture, heal, and hold history. This duality invites viewers to contemplate how displacement shapes the body and psyche alike.
Connecting Artists Collective – Group Exhibition
Connecting Artists Programme & Collective: This national annual initiative pairs artists who are neurodivergent or have an intellectual disability with mentors and nurtures their creative development and visibility. The programme
Art is Collective – Inner Space, Outer Place
Exhibition dates: 3 July – 30 July 2025 Late Night Art Belfast 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Thursday 3 July 2025 Artist Talk 11:00 am – 12:30 pm, Thursday 10 July
Reliquary, As Oubliette by Eibh Gordon
Simulacrums, representations and abstractions of the artist’s body exist in a state of contradiction. As a prayer for wellness in spite of the inescapable nature of death, as a record
Hell or high water III – Vikkie Patterson
Hell or high water II opened on the 24th July 2023 at the Market Place Theatre Gallery, Armagh as part of the John Hewitt International Summer School, and continued until
Pathways: d/Deaf and Disabled Artists Support Fund 2024 Group Exhibition
Some of the work is the development of ongoing practice and for others the award has facilitated new and innovative projects. We look forward to welcoming visitors to our open
Brian Connolly – Resident Artist
Brian Connolly was an Associate Lecturer in Fine Art, Sculpture, in the Belfast School of Art at Ulster University, Belfast, between 1995 and August 2022. He is a multi-media artist
Connecting Artists Collective – Group Exhibition
Group Exhibition by Connecting Artists Collective 1-28 August 2024. University of Atypical is delighted to invite you to our latest exhibition of the annual Group Exhibition from Connections Arts Centre,
Empty House – Christine Kernohan
Empty House – Solo exhibition by Christine Kernohan 4 June – 24 July 2024 University of Atypical are pleased to invite you to the opening of our 2023 Ulster University
Catharsis – Scott Ramsey
About this exhibition: Catharsis ‘The process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from strong or repressed emotions’ University of Atypical are pleased to host an exhibition of work by artist
The Drawing Rooms
Exhibition run: Thursday 21 March – Thursday 9 May 2024 Artist Talk – Friday 26 March 2024 1– 2pm Access: BSL Interpreter booked for artist talk on Friday 26 March.
I AM? Exhibition
I Am? – Exhibition Taking the theme of ‘I Am’ as a starting point or catalyst, the exhibition showcases a range of artworks representing each of the artists’ interpretation of
Introduction to British Sign Language
THIS COURSE IS NOW FULLY BOOKED Introduction to British Sign Language (BSL) Course (6 weeks). This course is designed for learners who have very limited or no previous knowledge of
Nocturnes by Joel Simon
Joel Simon, an artist with a rich background in film-making, unveils “NOCTURNES” as a series of narrative oil paintings. Drawing inspiration from the vibrant nightlife of Belfast, Simon’s exhibition captures
Call-Out Physical Theatre Masterclass
Call-Out for the Bounce Festival Physical Theatre Masterclass Venue: Duncairn Arts and Cultural Centre, Antrim Road, Belfast Date: Sunday 8 th October, 11am-4pm. Tutors: David Calvert, Jade Quinn and Paula
Dreaming of a village – Una Walker
Dreaming of a village: An Exhibition by Una Walker University of Atypical, Atypical Gallery Exhibition opening Thursday 5th October 2023 at 6.00pm Artist Gallery Talk – Friday 6th October 2023
Connecting Artists Programme
University of Atypical is delighted to exhibit work created as part of the Connecting Artists Programme 2023. Connecting Artists is a creative programme of the Connections Arts Centre which is
Epitaph – Amy Hannah
The University of Atypical for Arts and Disability is delighted to welcome you to Epitaph an exhibition of new work by artist Amy Hannah opening at 5.30pm on Thursday the
Upside Down – Ciaran Magill
Upside Down Ciaran Magill 4 May to 9 June 2023 About the Exhibition The University of Atypical is delighted to invite you to join us for the launch of, Upside
Urban Survival Kits Exhibition 2023
About the exhibition – what to expect Urban Survival Kits (USK) is an innovative Erasmus + programme led by the University of Atypical for Arts and Disability (UofA) in Belfast
Jacqueline Wylie: In Conversation
Jacqueline Wylie: In Conversation 24th February 2023 6pm – 7pm Join us for an informal gathering with artist Jacqueline Wylie for an exhibition tour and talk about her work and
Claiming Space, Creating Space Dr. Jacqueline Wylie
About the exhibition Claiming Space, creating space is a new solo exhibition by Dr. Jacqueline Wylie. Wylie is a multidisciplinary artist whose ideas are often shaped and informed by her
Commune – Group Exhibition
Commune Group Exhibition 1 December 2022 – 20 January 2023 Launch from 5pm – 8pm Join us on Thursday the 1st of December 2022 for Late Night Art for an
Images of Incoming
The Images of Incoming exhibition is the result of a project which engaged with some 50 women from Northern Ireland and Canada. The Northern Ireland -Canadian project emerged from an
Workshop Exploring melody, music and Rhythm – Project Sparks
Come along and explore melody, movement and rhythm with Project Sparks’ exceptionally talented disabled/neurodivergent mentors. Every voice and ability will shine in this inclusive music workshop, as participants explore their
Video Real Artist: Group exhibition
The University of Atypical for Arts and Disability and our partners Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, offer the ‘Video Real’ online exhibition by. Members of Fermanagh & Omagh District Council’s
Get it out of you! – Paul Moore
Get it out of you! is a new live work by Paul Moore who is particularly intrigued by the body and landscape, nature and machine in relation to our internal
My Place & Space – Group exhibition
The University of Atypical for Arts and Disability is delighted to work with our festival partners Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and Derry City & Strabane District Council, bringing new
Digital innovation – meet the artists- Grace Fairley, Porcelain Delaney
Introducing the first taster sessions from two outstanding neurodiverse artists. Grace Fairley, animation artist from Northern Ireland introduces her workshop on creating animated promotional gifs and Porcelain Delaney, theatre and
THE VIBES PLAY SKA /REGGAE – THE VIBES
Join us for the final live event of Bounce Arts Festival 2022 with a fun filled night of Belfast’s finest Reggae & Ska! Come out to play, get your toe’s
Weaving Threads – Andrew Ward, Cinzia Savonitti, Mary Lou McCord, Helen Hall, Linda Fearon
Weaving Threads is a multi-artform performance that brings together Open Arts’ participants who have developed their own artistic practice through support from DDASF grants, distributed by University of Atypical. Featuring
Adventures in Physical Theatre – Master Class -David Calvert
Join artist and artistic director David Calvert for a master class in tried and tested physical theatre methods. This unique session has been devised with all abilities in mind and
Crip/Work: What happens if the show doesn’t go on?- Isolde ÓBrolcháin Carmody
Being disabled, D/deaf or neurodiverse is a challenge to ableist assumptions about what bodies and brains can do. Being an artist challenges capitalist assumptions about how to value work and
Joe Kenny Live for BOUNCE 2022 – Joe Kenny
Join Joe Kenny live for an exclusive matinee show as part of BOUNCE 2022. An unmissable show for the shoppers, Joe will be performing songs from his debut EP Perfect
Accessible Residencies – what might a best practice model look like? – Jamie Wyld
What might an accessible residency look like or be like for artists who are d/Deaf, disabled, or neurodivergent? In collaboration with University of Atypical and COVEN BERLIN, videoclub has been
Cadavre Exquis – (Exquisite Corpse) A participation art game – Davidt Dunlop
We’re super excited to welcome our first Bounce Arts Festival artist in residence, Davidt Dunlop. David is taking over the Crescent Arts Centre’s Cafe space and you’re invited to drop
TRANSIENCE… Intimate Moments at the Piano – Ruth McGinley
An intimate evening of piano music that promises to draw the listener into McGinley’s unique and soothing sound world. ‘Transience’ is a musical journey through fleeting moments of musical storytelling
Shussssh! – Open Arts
Shussssh!! Ok so we know this kind of thing happens on the downlow but why not pop along and witness this unique public intervention starting with an acapella song from
Creative Dance and Movement Masterclass – Helen Hall
Come and explore, create dance and movement with Helen. Helen will guide you through movement tasks to allow you to express your own unique way of moving. This will be a
My Life With Them – Book Launch
“I’d like to write my life story.” ‘My Life With Them’ is the non-linear autobiography of Larry MacAree. His book is filled with rich anecdotes about Belfast from the late 1960s
Song Of The Bones – VOKXEN
The story of Ireland’s last Witch Trial ‘The Song of the Bones’ is a piece of dark, immersive storytelling gig theatre; merging our electronic pop music with puppetry and spoken
CHILL – A relaxed classical concert
The Crescent and Belfast Music Society are delighted to present an afternoon of accessible high quality classical music for people with additional access requirements and their families. Join Christopher, Cecily
Something for Nothing? – Jo Verrent
Don’t expect something for nothing (especially from disabled creatives)! Sound familiar? ‘Could you just tell us how…?’ ‘Have you any contacts you could pass on?’ ‘Where can I find further
New Encounters: A Poetry Workshop for Blind and Partially Sighted People
This workshop will be held in a supportive space where you can unleash your love of poetry and is especially tailored to blind and partially sighted people. You’ll awaken your
Anthropause – Warriors of the Dystotheque, Reverse Jazz, Micky O’Brien
Warriors of the Dystotheque presents Anthropause The House and Techno session Ft Reverse Jazz & Micky O’Brien Warriors of the Dystotheque have spent the past 20 years DJ’n across the
Scenes from Inner Space – Blue Chevy Ensemble & Paula Clarke
1st Experience: 7.00pm – 7.40pm 2nd Experience: 7.40pm – 8.20pm 3rd Experience: 8.20pm – 9.00pm The Blue Chevy Ensemble, in collaboration with deaf performer/activist Paula Clarke, presents Scenes from Inner
LIMINAL – Hugh O’Donnell
Liminal is a new performance artwork by artist Hugh O’Donnell is part of Bounce Arts Festival 2022 and is live only once, not to be missed! Liminal explores in between
Feeding Carrots from the South to Wild Donkeys in the North – Shiro Masuyama
The division of the country of Cyprus appears to me to have more serious implications than the current divisions still existing in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where I live. Political conflict
Still Livin’ – Larry MacAree
“It’s an exhibition about my life. I’ve always been an artist for a long time. I’m related to an artist, thousands of years back.” (Larry MacAree) Still Livin’, a new
Welcome to Urban Survival Kits (USK)
This creative partnership sees the University of Atypical work in collaboration with local participants from the NOW Group, Belfast and our European partner organisations from Cotopaxi, Poland; Blauschimmel Atelier, Germany;
Tairseach
Irish performance artist Sinéad O’Donnell will collaborate with Selina Bonelli (Maidstone, England) and Marta Bosowska (Poznan, Poland) on a new disability-led project and hybrid way of creative engagement. After a period of online dialogue and virtual and in-person research, the project will culminate in a residency and live public performance in Belfast.
SWADDLE – Dominic McKeown
The University of Atypical is delighted to invite you to join us for the launch of SWADDLE, a thought provoking new exhibition by Dominic McKeown. Dominic received the University of
Accessing Architecture Exhibition
ISL Promotional video BSL Promotional video The Exhibition runs until Friday 27 January 2022 at the University of Atypical Gallery at 109-113 Royal Avenue, Belfast. Below is a virtual tour
strangely disjointed & idiosyncratic
Dara Condon was the recipient of the University of Atypical’s Graduate Award 2019 and we’re pleased to see this promising graduate’s exhibition realised. Dara’s inspiration derives from eclectic pools of
Fittings & MisFittings
The DisOrdinary Architecture Project was established in 2008. Since then a network of disabled artists have collaborated with architecture, interiors and built environment students, educators, researchers, practitioners and other interested
‘Where Do We Live’ Drawing Workshop
With James Ashe Free James Ashe invites you to take part in a series of artist-led workshops that will be an expansion of his ‘Where Do We Live’ map project
Jacqueline Wylie – “Life Goes On”
Jacqueline Wylie began to document the impact of Covid-19 on herself and the spirit of her local community of Ballymacarrett in May 2020. Most of the photographs were taken while
Disability, Covid-19, & the ‘Second Shift’
The second shift refers to Arlie Hochschild’s 1989 book, which describes the labour performed at home in addition to the paid work performed in the formal sector. It is comparable
Helen Hall – The Moving City
Dance/Movement Workshop Free The University of Atypical is delighted to work with award winning local dancer Helen Hall in offering a series of experimental workshops exploring dance and movement to
LOOK UP! with James Ashe
James Ashe invites you to download his Belfast map and draw on the blank side what you see in your area, interesting features of the built environment that sometimes get
International Women’s Day 2021
Niamh Scullion Reading 3pm – 4pm Join us on International Women’s Day for an afternoon with Belfast based writer, maker and doer Niamh Scullion. The theme for this year’s IWD
Plaster Casting Workshop with Model Citizen
We had hoped to have people in the gallery to take part in a one-off plaster casting session with architect/maker John Donnelly of ‘Model Citizen’ but we can’t right now!
Brian Kielt – Confessional
Titled Confessional, this solo exhibition features portraits and landscapes which combine found and original imagery. The shifting perspectives of these paintings prompts the viewer to – physically – take a
Acupuncture for Artists
Mental ill-health amongst artists is three times the national average. To coincide with Confessional’s themes of trauma and anxiety, we are offering free acupuncture sessions for artists in partnership with
Gillian O’Hagan & Helen Sloan – Missing Voices
Over a five week period, Helen and Gillian worked with a group of nine adolescent girls from four schools across Belfast. Using smartphones, the girls produced a series of 34
Alma Haser – Pseudo
Pseudo is a series that plays on what’s real and what’s not. In a world where we are constantly told about Fake News, not to believe the first thing you
Richard Canning – The Space Between
The Space Between is an expansion of the work in Richard’s final MA end of year show and explores the consistencies of construction and deconstruction. For this exhibition, Richard has
Mary Cody – String
Mary’s practice investigates the material nature of painting today. Through her steady, considered and labour-intensive approach, layers of wool, string and acrylic are carefully articulated onto canvas. Only Mary knows
Jane McCormick – Not Half Right
Launch: Saturday November 10th 2018 2pm to 4pm Exhibition Dates: November 12th to December 21st 2018 She describes it as a monologue of misery, made slowly with many intermissions and
Maurice Hobson – Faces Caught In Time
Born in Caledon, Co. Tyrone in 1957, Maurice Hobson was injured in a bomb-blast in Dungannon in 1975 and sadly passed away in 1987, aged just 30 years old. The
Robin Price – Air of the Anthropocene
Air of the Anthropocene is a fascinating National Lottery-funded art project created by artist Robin Price and University of Birmingham environmental scientist Professor Francis Pope. The project documents air pollution