ABOUT US
Clonmany Community Centre is proud to be able provide crafters with the space and facilities of our Craft Training Centre so that they can develop their art within their home community. We also facilitate a range of crafting classes, to find the class that suits you why not browse the selection below!
Facilities include:
Woodworking/Woodturning specialist area with many woodworking tool ie: lathes, chisels, power saws, planes, sanders etc.
Pottery Studio & Kiln this specialist are also includes a slab roller, many wheels, a full size kiln, an extruder etc.
Spinning & Weaving workshop where we have a number of different spinning wheels and looms. We have table top looms, frame looms, and full size looms.
We have a workshop for messier arts like painting, basket weaving and much more.
We will be offering a real taste of Irish heritage with traditional spinning and weaving experiences.
We also have a fantastic fabric shop, often described as an ‘Aladdin’s Cave of treasures,’ that carries just about any pattern of fabric you could imagine!
Pottery
Our Pottery Tutor at Clonmany Community Centre is Brian McGee of Brian McGee Ceramics. A lifetime of working in pottery from his studio in Donegal while also teaching his skills has ensured that Brian McGee has a broad and intimate knowledge of his craft. He has expertise in a very wide range of techniques over the years including throwing, Raku, modelling, pit firing, and kiln building and is an enthusiastic and generous teacher.
Brian was born in Derry and studied Art and Design (Ceramics) at Birmingham Art College. He worked in a variety of potteries until setting up his own studio in 1987 in St. Johnston. He was the director of Craftworks Pottery School in Derry from 97 to 2001, training people to work in the pottery sector.
His work includes public sculpture such as St. Finian Mural 2014 at Scoil Naomh Finian Quigleys Point Donegal, the Mosaic Plinth and sculpture 2013 (In collaboration with Maurice Harron) Clonmany National school and the Seeing it through Mural 2007 (Bloody Sunday memorial) Gasyard Wall Derry
He works part time as a lecturer in ceramics at the North West Regional College in Derry.
Be sure to keep an eye out here & on our Facebook page for announcements of any future pottery classes, as Brian runs several pottery & Raku, an ancient Japanese style of pottery, courses and workshops throughout the year here at Clonmany Community Centre!
Basket Weaving
Our Basket Weaving classes are run by Brendan Farren from www.biggreenart.com. Brendan Farren is originally from Newtownards, Co. Down, and now lives in Inishowen, Co. Donegal, with partner and 3 children on a small organic farm. He has been a self-employed artist since 1992. Since 2004 he has grown willow and other natural materials on his land, and uses these materials where possible in his sustainable creations.These classes are run on varying dates throughout the year. Please email info@clonmanycommunitycentre.ie for more information on our next Basket Weaving course.
Similarly to our pottery courses & workshops, we have several 1-day Basket Weaving workshops throughout the year, generally taking place on a certain Saturday from 10am to 5pm, & they are always extremely popular! Be sure to keep an eye out both here & on our Facebook page for announcements on any future workshops.
Felted Art
Claire Harkin is a woven Textile Artist based in Clonmany and runs Claire’s Handwoven Craft. She graduated from the National College of Art in 2004. Her work is inspired by the beauty of nature and the scenery that surrounds her in Donegal. Claire has a passion for heritage and weaving and would love for the dying craft to be passed on to future generations. She likes to teach textile crafts such as hand-weaving, Tapestry and felt making.
Patchwork
Are you a beginner interested in getting an introduction & learning the basics of either Patchwork? Well now is the perfect time, as if the interest is there, we hope to be running a beginner-friendly, 4-week course in the coming weeks!
Wood Turning
Yarn Spinning
Yarn spinning is the method of turning fibres, such as wool, cotton and silk into yarn which can then be woven into fabric. We use fibres sourced from local farm animals such as sheep and alpacas. Alpaca fleece is becoming more and more popular in Europe (having now been exported from its native South America to many corners of the globe) and is beautifully soft and silky. It’s also hypoallergenic which is a great option for those suffering from allergies. Spinning is a popular skill, and at Clonmany Community Centre you have the opportunity to learn with one of our expert spinners – come along and join one of our courses or spinning workshops.
