Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council are seeking public comments on enhancement proposals at F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio, in Banbridge.
The popular tourism facility that attracts attracted over 50,000 visitors last year, recently secured a £3.5m investment from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, as one of ten successful projects announced for Northern Ireland. The project is supported by an additional £397,000 Council investment.
The Studio and Gallery opened in 2008 and is dedicated to the memory of sculptor Frederick Edward McWilliam, one of Ireland’s most influential and successful artists. It features a permanent display of McWilliam’s work, temporary exhibitions of Irish and international art, a popular craft shop and café, and attracts a wide range of local, national and international visitors.
The proposed designs will see the Studio and Gallery transformed by extending the exhibition space to create a more open and engaging area to host events, educational programmes and increase visitor capacity.
The proposed designs will be available for public viewing at both the FE McWilliam Gallery and Studio and Banbridge Civic Building from Wednesday 1 November to Tuesday 7 November at 9am – 5pm. A drop-in event will take place on Tuesday 7 November from 1pm – 4pm, where members of the public will have the opportunity to discuss the development with the Design Team. Everyone is welcome to attend.
