Art and Home

Thinking outside the Box for Holywood Culture Night

Culture Night right up our street



A week or so before we met Gordon Hewitt (one of the organizers of Holywood Culture Night), Art & Home had a meeting with the Chamber of Trade & Commerce.



We asked if we couldn't organise a day of Culture in Holywood, a day when we could celebrate the local talents and showcase the town's niche shops, galleries and traditions. A day that would bring together the whole of the town, from the barracks to Church Road and all in between. Speaking to Gordon was very much a serendipity moment. The Holywood Shared Town initiative of Culture Night was something that we, a local business, were already crying out for. In a town filled with culture, creativity and coffee, what could be better?

There was never any doubt that Art & Home would be involved in Holywood's first ever Culture Night. Being a creative bunch we jumped at the chance to get on-board and have more ideas than we know what to do with! (So we will shelve these until next year). We have tried to be inventive and to think outside the box ...hence the Cow Parade!



It's no secret that Art & Home are paying homage to the famed Cow Parade , the world's largest outdoor public art event. There will be a paddock with around twenty of these gorgeous creatures all decorated or made by local businesses, community groups and organisations. We are also organising our biggest ever display of artwork by Holywood artist, Tom Kerr; and shall be displaying some of his artwork and poetry on one of the big screens as part of the night's proceedings. There shall also be an artist painting live from our shop window plus much more!



Art & Home has been a part of Holywood's High Street for 40+ years, but we have never seen an event organised in the town which was as inclusive and that takes on board the feelings of the whole town. We have been really touched by the way the community has come together to make Culture Night happen. To see local traders give their time, ideas and resources freely, in this economic climate; added to the swell of enthusiasm and excitement it is bringing is truly inspiring.