The final preparations are being put in place at Strule Arts Centre, Omagh, for the annual celebration of August Craft Month 2022 which this year will showcase two exceptional craftsmen, Fermanagh native ceramicist Padraig Drugan and Des Cullen.

August Craft Month 2022 is an initiative that showcases summer craft events and talented makers across the island of Ireland through a partnership with Craft NI, the Design & Crafts Council of Ireland and Cork Craft and Design.

Padraig Drugan is a ceramic artist from Fermanagh who is currently based in London. He will present his collection called ‘Curved Earth’, an exhibition of sensuous forms and figures. Through inspiration from nature and organic forms, Padraig shapes clay into curvaceous forms and figures that evoke a feeling of sensuous movement.

Padraig’s work varies from one-off hand-built pieces to a series of decorated forms and figures made within plaster moulds and his work has featured in exhibitions in London, Dublin, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and New York.

Also exhibiting is Des Cullen, a creative artist currently living and working in Manorhamilton, North Leitrim and works primarily with stone. He will display an extraordinary collection of sculptural forms called ‘Flow/Fold’ where his talents and inspiration are reflected through his understanding of how ‘spirit’ or ‘energy’ flows and folds in nature.

Des will talk about his featured work at the opening of the exhibition on Thursday, August 4 at 7pm in Strule Arts Centre. The exhibition will be on display until Saturday, August 28 from 9.30am to 5pm and admission is free.