Interesting exhibitions over the next month

Art is many things to many people. So Christmas is the time of Christmas shows , a time to give every artist an opportunity to sell their wares in the rush into Christmas future. Or a time to see what Art does for social cohesion or to make you think. But you have to remember that Art is not just for Christmas it's for life.............so if you want to get a mixed view of Art and what is going on in Belfast at the moment I thought I'd give you a list of interesting shows running in the run up to Christmas. If you want the concept but not the product go for William McKeown at the Ormeau Baths Gallery until 6th Jan.Where you can see dawn and tomorrow and 5 days all togtether. A witty way to fill a large gallery with the waiting room...worth a chuckle. Belfast's new turbine hall and the new Catalyst space shows another chuckle with Levan Lahart and guenine Irish Mug Gives a new perspective to a Chill factor.

If you want to see how Art can challenge social stereo types tomorrow night at the Golden thread Ardoyne young women's group show an exhibition for their photos developed with Zoe Murdoch based on how some people treat them like animals. Also worth remembering is that The Golden thread represent a large selection of excellent local artists in it's sales room also run on a social economy basis.

So other shows are opening over the next couple of weeks this Thursday Belfast print Workshop open their annual Christmas show where members get an opportunity to show just what they have been up to this year opens from 7pm wine and mince pies included. As a number of members have had breakthroughs this year I think it's really worth supporting them and to remember also that BPW Gallery is a gallery run on a social economy basis so all profit goes to the running of the gallery and the workshop.In the enviornment of cuts it's important to remember that.Exhibition runs until 24th Dec.

Opening next Thursday late night art day is The Engine Room gallery 7pm where a good eclectic range of painters and printmaking show their wares. 6 o'clock Creative Exchange in portview trade centre shows 50/50 a selection of small works from their artists. Also opening that night is a selection of artists chosen by Carrie Neely at the waterfront and Fashion Souk shows Art as illustration also at the waterfront with Trisha McNally.Creative exchange open their small works exhibition and coming up 11 Dec postcard from an unknowen artist but there is a catch, you can't read their names it's on the back where for the large sum of £50 you can purchase Art from a selection of artists are they all artists?? are they not? Not one electrician among them?

Shan Maxwell focuses on Angels on Friday 3 Dec at Strawberry fair in Strangford and Platform Arts (above poundstreachers) Opens Saturday 4th Dec evening(7 would be a good guess) with a selection of their own artists..................So this Christmas remember art can be many things to many people, so why not it mean something to you..................;-)