AN arts festival in the Glens of Antrim will return in-person this weekend after a two-year hiatus.
The Cushendun Big Arts Weekend will kick off with music from John Spillane on Friday.
There will also be music from Amanda St John on Saturday night and a rehearsed reading of Dublin playwright Elaine Murphy's ‘Little Gem’ by the Lurig Drama Group on Sunday night, both in the newly restored Old Church Centre.
An exhibition in Old Church Centre, ‘Reflections on Refugees: Communicating through Art’ includes work from local artist Raymond Watson.
A selection of Conflict Textiles will also be on show. The curator of Conflict Textiles, Roberta Bacic, will be giving a guided tour of the artwork and a workshop on Sunday afternoon.
The weekend includes dozens of activities, from spring wreath-making workshops to poetry, storytelling and singing events.
A family fun day on Sunday includes a painting workshop and a sandcastle competition on Cushendun beach.
Many of the events will centre on the Old Church building in the heart of the village.
The building was at risk of falling derelict. But it was given a new lease of life as a community arts venue when it finally opened in July 2019 after 13 years of work.
William Colvin, chairman of Cushendun Building Preservation Trust, said: "We are looking forward to welcoming everyone all back in person, to Cushendun for the Big Arts Weekend".
"These last two years have been challenging for everyone, but this year is special for us as the Old Church Centre, now fully restored, will be the centrepiece for the 2022 festival, and we cannot wait to welcome everyone inside," he said.
Full details of the programme can be found on www.theoldchurchcentre.com/big-arts-weekend
