Contagious Creativity at Creative Exchange

Creative Exchange provides studio space for local artists in Belfast, creating an affordable space for them to work in and to contribute to the city’s cultural, social, economic and environmental landscapes.

Sinead O’Neill is the Studio Manager of Creative Exchange. A large portion of her day-to-day work is the general admin and running of the studios, which also involves managing the finances and funding. As a relatively small studio in Belfast, it is important to Sinead that the current economic climate does not hinder Creative Exchange’s progress and development as a business.

Another large and growing element of Sinead’s role is identifying opportunities for Creative Exchange to grow and excel in Belfast’s art scene. By promoting its social media channels, she is creating real brand awareness for the business and new opportunities for the current artists to exhibit and sell their work in Belfast and beyond.

What does the scope of artists look like in Creative Exchange?

There are currently 10 artists exhibiting and selling their art within Creative Exchange’s studios, some of them very high-profile artists in Belfast.

Derek Wilson is a high-profile ceramicist based at Creative Exchange in Portview Trade Centre. Presented by a very prestigious gallery, Wilson has travelled the world to exhibit his ceramic and sculptural works, and he recently held a solo exhibition in Tokyo, Japan. You will be greeted with Wilson’s tableware pieces at a range of Chloe flagship stores globally.

Ted Pim is an Irish painter from West Belfast who combines an ‘old master’ aesthetic with a distinctly modern twist. His extraordinary work aims to surprise the viewer, and he has succeeded globally. Pim has exhibited in galleries worldwide, travelling to Paris and Miami, and there are many eyes on the wonders he creates at Creative Exchange.

There are many other unique artists with studio spaces at Creative Exchange, including Jude Fenton, a landscape artist from Belfast, and Ray Duncan, a founding member of Creative Exchange. Ultimately, there is a beautiful blend of artists who are simultaneously making art and exhibiting it globally. It is almost a balancing act between the individual artists, who help each other maximise their creative potential.

Where does the inspiration behind Creative Exchange lie?

A combination of inspiration points makes Creative Exchange the successful place it has become. Each individual at the studio brings a wealth of external influences and life experiences from a range of jobs and paths in life. Essentially, the people make it a success.

The artists are aware that there are often preconceptions that art is ‘just a hobby’, but for many art is their life. Art is a passion, and it fulfils our innate need to be creative.

The primary purpose of Creative Exchange is to provide an affordable space for local artists to achieve their undeniable potential. The team is aware that many people suffer from a lack of creativity in their lives, and although it is a cliche, the benefits of having creative channels speak for themselves. Having a clear creative escape allows you to leave the stresses of everyday life behind, focusing your mind and harnessing your true potential. This is particularly important in the aftermath of the pandemic, which stripped many of our passions from us and left us having to remember how to harness these powers again.

What brought Creative Exchange to Portview?

Being from North Belfast, Sinead knows there is a historic sense of ‘staying close to home’ in the city, and people typically don’t venture further than Belfast city centre. Luckily, this is changing.

What drew the team to Portview Trade Centre is the undoubted potential of the building and the East Belfast area as a whole. Portview offers mindblowing views of Belfast, from the cityscape to the mountains beyond. This is a truly inspiring aspect of the building, allowing the artists to be inspired by the spectrum of Belfast and its culture.

In terms of heritage, Portview is an inspiring place for artists to work. It is the perfect example of how we can reuse old buildings. As a renovated mill, it is abridged with culture and heritage to fuel creativity.

What makes Portview truly feel like home is the people. The team at Creative Exchange feel part of a familiar community, or family. From the moment you enter the building, you are transported into ‘your own wee world’, and the only thing that could make it better is if more people knew about the wonderful atmosphere at Portview. There is a real variety of people to work alongside and bounce creative ideas off.

Ultimately, Creative Exchange has worked hard to create a space within Portview where a wide variety of local artists can thrive creatively. Creating a space with creativity is nothing short of contagious.

Find out more about what Creative Exchange is getting up to. Visit their website (opens in a new tab) or have a look at their social media channels.