Our Stories Festival

The Our Stories Festival was a captivating journey through the worlds of art, science, and culture. Held from November 21–24, 2024, this vibrant festival brought together renowned artists and thought-provoking thinkers to explore the stories that shape our lives.

'Eclectic' Exhibition

Eclectic was a dynamic exhibition curated by Ulster University graduates Ezra Pinkerton and Niamh McWilliams-Small.

This vibrant collection of work from 27 different Belfast School of Art graduates offered a glimpse into the creative minds of Belfast's next generation of practitioners, highlighting their unique perspectives and artistic styles.

From exploring queer identity and mythological themes to celebrating heritage and Irish iconography, the illustrations on display dove into a diverse range of subjects.

Seen | Belfast Trust

As part of Good Relations Week and in celebration of Belfast Trust being announced as a Trust of Sanctuary, the Seen exhibition was on display across Belfast Trust centres throughout October. A vibrant launch event, complete with speeches, singing, and celebration, highlighted the experiences of those who are too often marginalised.

Each child's portrait was exhibited across:

Royal Victoria Hospital
Grove Wellbeing Centre
The Arches Wellbeing Centre
Bradbury Wellbeing & Treatment Centre

Seen | Outdoor Exhibition

Seen — an outdoor exhibition shining a light on the stories of society’s most vulnerable.

In 2023, Oliver Jeffers joined a group of asylum-seeking children and young people in a church hall in Belfast for a magical day of creativity and storytelling. The young people were asked to draw pictures of their hopes and dreams, around which Jeffers sketched their portraits. The collaborative drawings give a powerful impression of what is important to young people who have fled other countries, revealing how they wish to be seen.

This outdoor exhibition celebrates each child's life, declaring no child should be forgotten.