Ann Feely

Ann Feely, BA Hons, followed the traditional route of formal art training; ‘A’ Levels, a Diploma in Art & Design and then graduating with a BA Degree (with hons) in Textile & Fashion Design in 2002, from the Belfast College of Art (University of Ulster). She is an Artist, Designer, Creative Educator, and an Arts/Events Project Manager living in Belfast, close to the river Lagan. Her work is inspired by her local surroundings of wildlife, trees, water, flora and Irish landscapes. Ann wants to convey the power, beauty and fleeting moments of nature using spontaneity and unplanned elements as well as deliberate design within each piece.  Ann works primarily in oils, acrylics and mixed media using techniques best suited to capture an atmosphere of a place she visits, using her own creative style, to produce colourful, textured, dynamic pieces of work.  She is a former Interior Designer at Fulton’s Fine Furnishings, was the Community Arts Development Officer at Craigavon Borough Council, Director for Belfast Print Workshop and the Outreach & Education Officer for the Crescent Arts Centre, from 2011-2020.  Ann has served as Chair of AIM (Arts in Motion), a large innovative community arts development organisation based at Oxford Island and was a member of Shore Collective, a professional artists led collective covering County Armagh. Ann has major public artworks sited in Banbridge Co. Down - at Solitude Public Park and Gate Lodge Memorial Park - having won public art tenders via Banbridge District Council.  She has exhibited her paintings in various public buildings and group shows, including, in The Hallows Gallery, R-Space Gallery, Island Arts Centre and had her first solo exhibition in 2016 at the Crescent Arts Centre, opened by renowned Irish Artist, Bill Gatt, who had been a positive influence in her chosen career path since Bill taught her ‘A’ level Art & Design.  Ann has taught art and design classes and workshops since 2007 in partnership with Council, schools, community organisations and galleries, including at FE McWilliam Gallery & Studio. Ann’s paintings are held in private collections across Northern Ireland and in a public collection at the South Eastern HSC Trust. Since covid, Ann, has taken the opportunity to go full time in her arts practice and hasn’t looked back.