Flax Art Studios

Flax Art Studios has a track record of 33 years of working at the cutting edge of contemporary art to significantly contribute to the regions visual art practice through studio provision; acting as a hub for professional development, international networking opportunities; and fostering greater understanding through outreach and engagement activity. Flax Art Studios was founded in 1989 by a group

of recent graduates seeking space to make large-scale sculpture and installation artworks. Space was eventually found in Edenderry Industrial Estate, an old linen mill building situated on the Crumlin Road in North Belfast. As the organisation developed the studios received funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Belfast City Council which allowed the organisation to continue a sustained growth by allowing artists to develop their practice and hold numerous exhibitions. In June 2003 the building in which the studios where housed was destroyed by fire. Fortunately, this disaster, which completely destroyed the entire organisation’s contents, including all facilities and artwork, was not the end for the organisation, rather it was taken as an opportunity to take stock and move on and develop further. In 2004 Flaxart moved into new premises on Corporation Street in Belfast City Centre. Most of the original Flax Artists took spaces along with some new additions. An area of 1,320 square metres provides ample room to house an industrial scale workshop, 7 large studio spaces, 11 smaller studio spaces, an international residency space and a communal fabrication area. A large mezzanine area accommodates the organisation’s office and IT facilities. Flax Art Studios moved to Havelock House in 2018 and is now based across 3 locations: Havelock House, 7 North Street and 31-35 High Street continues provide a portfolio of subsidised studio provision for the needs of emerging, mid-career and established artists, reaching over 100 artists. Particularly those working with sculpture, installation and new/time based media. Flax provides long term studio space for at least 70 artists, at least 1 international resident, 1 film maker in residence and 1 curator in residence. We will also provide at least 6 production residencies, we also open our workshop facility to external sculptural practitioners through our open workshop programme and have 26 workshop members.