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Strand Cinema Belfast

Strand Cinema Belfast

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Exhibitions

12th DEcember ' LATE NIGHT ART ' AT CONNSWATER - TARA MOLLOY

Late Night Art East – the second Thursday of every month, 6-8pm
Free exhibitions and arts events in Connswater, Arches Centre & Portview Trade Centre

Tara’s love for film has always been a driving force in her photography. Inspired by visionary directors like Paul Thomas Anderson, David Lynch, and Darren Aronofsky, she embarked on a unique creative journey: crafting 12 photoshoots inspired by iconic movies and directors she admires.

This collection features  beloved films such as Black Swan, Boogie Nights, and Fire Walk with Me, with each shoot meticulously designed to capture the essence of the films. Bringing these cinematic visions to life was made possible through the incredible talent of 13 models, who embodied the characters with passion and authenticity.

Josh Denny transformed the stunning photographs into retro-style movie posters. The result? A striking 2025 calendar that celebrates the artistry of film and photography in perfect harmony.

This project not only showcases Tara’s creativity but also deepened her appreciation for the intricate craft of filmmaking—the synergy of ideas, storytelling, and artistry that turns visions into reality.

Explore the calendar and step into a world where photography meets cinema magic.

Also open 6-8pm 12th December – Platform Arts and QSS studios (above Wyse Byse).

Free entry and open to all

 

14th NoveMBEr ' LATE NIGHT ART ' AT CONNSWATER

Late Night Art East – 14th Thursday of every month, 6-8pm
Free exhibitions and arts events in Connswater, Arches Centre & Portview Trade Centre

 

If you were to ask filmmaker and photographer Stephen Mullan for a list of his Top 5 happy places, Screen 2 of The Strand Cinema would be on it. 

The Sunday before it’s closure for renovations Stephen gathered a small team to photograph in it one last time. This was not only a homage to Screen 2 but also to golden era of Film Noir and cinema of the 40s, with the art deco style of The Strand inspiring the photographs, tone and the mood. 

These photographs set out to recreate the bygone days of now much sought after lobby photo. The publicity still that would adorn the cinema foyer walls displaying a mixture of shots from the film and the star’s portraits. 

The star’s in question are Screen 2 and the incredible photographer, model and singer, Njambi Njoroge. Being a lover of classic cinema, Njambi effortlessly channelled Noir’s great actresses like Gene Tierney, Lauren Bacall, Lana Turner and Hedy Lamarr. 

Connswater Shopping Centre is host to multiple arts organisations and community creatives such as Strand Arts Centre (while we are closed for refurbishment), Platform Arts,  Arts Care, Open Arts and Fighting Words.  Join us for ‘Late Night Art’ openings of art exhibitions, and music in the mall.  What not end the night at the nearby Boundary Brewery at Portview?

 

Free entry and open to all

 

10th OCTOber ' LATE NIGHT ART ' AT CONNSWATER

Late Night Art East – 2nd Thursday of every month, 6-8pm
Free exhibitions and arts events in Connswater, Arches Centre & Portview Trade Centre

Danny is never out of reach of his camera, enabling him to respond to one-off, serendipitous moments in the world around him.

Working at the Strand Arts Centre since 2021, he has been able to capture fleeting moments within the Strand’s iconic venue, be it a beautiful sunset, a packed screening, a ray of light pouring through a window.
 
His position at the Strand also gave him unusual insight and access into the venue, allowing him to take photographs of a unique candour and honesty. This honesty extends to Danny’s production of his images: in this age of ‘photoshop’ and image modification, he consciously does not utilise filters or tools of post-production.  Rather, he values the tools of the camera itself, experimenting with lenses, shutter speeds and aperture, resulting in the creation of a wide variety of images. However, throughout all of his photographs is a characteristic sense of playfulness.
 
Earlier in the year there was an exhibition of a few of my photos of the Strand cinema which i took while i was working there. They range from behind the scene views to captures of the building that people who pass it would be more familiar with and i compiled these into a photobook which is being launched at this event. i have also curated some shots from outside of this collection and will have some prints for sale too. Alongside this there should be a new book of photos, but this time they are from my travels over the last few years. Hopefully see you there… danny
 
Danny Meegan will be launching his new photobook and selling copies of his Strand photobook.
Connswater Shopping Centre is host to multiple arts organisations and community creatives such as Strand Arts Centre (while we are closed for refurbishment), Platform Arts,  Arts Care, Open Arts and Fighting Words.  Join us for ‘Late Night Art’ openings of art exhibitions, and music in the mall.  What not end the night at the nearby Boundary Brewery at Portview?
 

Free entry and open to all

 

12th september ' LATE NIGHT ART ' AT CONNSWATER SHOPPING CENTRE & PORTVIEW TRADE CENTRE


Image – James Ashe

Late Night Art East – 2nd Thursday of every month!
Free exhibitions and arts events in Connswater & Portview Trade Centre

Connswater Shopping Centre is host to multiple arts organisations and community creatives such as Strand Arts Centre (while we are closed for refurbishment), Platform Arts,  Arts Care, Open Arts and Fighting Words.  Join us for ‘Late Night Art’ openings of art exhibitions, short films, Del Pierro cafe and a live DJ HART in the mall.  10 minute walk away, at Portview Trade Centre there’s an exhibition Creative Exchange on Floor 2 Block B 7-9pm.  Why not end there and have drinks at Boundary Brewery?

Free entry and open to all.

In our screening room we have “Best of the Strand Shorts” showcasing our favourite films from previous Short Film Nights curated by Conor Charlton.  Tickets are £5 to watch all of the films,  6.15 – 8.15pm or you can ‘tap to watch’ donation for one or two films.  

6pm – 8.30pm at Connswater
7 – 9pm Creative Exchange at Portview
7 – late Boundary Brewery for Drinks

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MORE INFO:

With funding from Belfast 24 ‘Bank of Ideas’, Platform Arts are collaborating with The Strand Arts Centre, Arts Care, Open Arts, Fighting Words and Creative Exchange for an evening to celebrate the arts in East Belfast. This will be a night to discover the artistic talent and creative spaces right on your doorstep.

On the 12th September, Platform Arts will be exhibiting new work from Reuben Brown and Darcy Patterson, the Strand will be hosting a screening of short films alongside their temporary exhibition ‘The Strand through the Ages‘, Arts Care are hosting a new exhibition of work from university students with learning disabilities in collaboration with Arts for All, Open Arts will have their new Connswater space open to the public for gamelan and sound bath sessions, Fighting Words are running an open creative writing session and Creative Exchange are hosting their new members show on the 2nd Floor of Portview Trade Centre.

Free mini pies will be provided by Hearty Growers with Pie in the Sky at Connswater Shopping Centre, with a complimentary half pint at Boundary Taproom to conclude.

 

Modelling our picture house past: revealing Belfast's Lost Cinemas

Sunday 16 June 

Free 

Exhibition open: 2pm – 5pm 

Artist’s Talk: 3pm

First floor gallery    Please note, unfortunately there is no step free access to the first floor gallery

At the end of the 1930s, Belfast boasted almost 40 cinemas or ‘picture houses’. Local designer Stuart Marshall has spent recent years researching this rich history and has painstakingly recreated some of the city’s lost cinemas in drawings and scale models. 

This exhibition presents together – for the first time – Stuart’s exquisite work, including models of the Curzon, the Mayfair and the Avenue. Also on display will be Stuart’s ‘work in progress’ of a 1:50 scale model of the Strand as it would have looked upon opening in 1935.  

This exhibition is a unique chance to both view this stunning work and learn more about the craft behind them. At 3pm Stuart will give an illustrated talk, and discuss his process of creating the models. 

Made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund

THROUGH THE EYE OF a lens: scenes of the strand by danny meegan



Opening 26th March 6pm – 7.30pm until 17th May
Danny is never out of reach of his camera, enabling him to respond to one-off, serendipitous moments in the world around him.
Working at the Strand Arts Centre since 2021, he has been able to capture fleeting moments within the iconic venue, be it a beautiful sunset, a packed screening, a ray of light pouring through a window.
His position at the Strand also gives him unusual insight and access into the venue, allowing him to take photographs of a unique candour and honesty. This honesty extends to Danny’s production of his images: in this age of ‘photoshop’ and image modification, he consciously does not utilise filters or tools of post-production.
Rather, he values the tools of the camera itself, experimenting with lenses, shutter speeds and aperture, resulting in the creation of a wide variety of images. However, throughout all of his photographs is a characteristic sense of playfulness.
The Strand is delighted to exhibit a range of these photographs together, for the first time. Taken in the final months of the Strand in its present form – prior to closure and refurbishment – the images in this exhibition take on particular significance. They are a fascinating document of the Strand in a specific point in its long history.
This will be a family friendly event, with refreshments and themed activities for kids.
The exhibition will continue until Sunday 7 April, drop in viewings 
Mon-Fri 10am-5pm (for other times call 02890655830 to arrange)
Made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
*Unfortunately there is no step free access to the first floor gallery space.
 

Neon : Illuminating 'the Pictures'



Sunday 19 May – one day only

Free
(booking not required)

Exhibition open: 2pm – 5.30pm
Discussion: 3pm

First floor gallery
Please note, unfortunately there is no step free access 

[followed at 5.45pm by a screening of Casblanca – featuring iconic neon signage
at ‘Rick’s Café Américain’ – for a special price of £5]

The Strand Arts Centre is delighted to invite you to a special celebration of Neon which became closely intertwined with the development of cinema architecture from the 1930s.
 
The exhibition will feature rarely seen archival photographs, footage from NI Screen’s Digital Film Archive and, of course, bespoke neon lighting, alongside contemporary artworks utilising the unique lightform.
 
At 3pm join us for refreshments and a discussion on the past, present and future of Neon. Speakers will include the Strand’s Heritage Officer Rosie Hickey, visual artist Johanna Leech, and representatives from ‘AM Light’ Neon Manufacturers including ‘master glass-bender’ Adrian McNevison and ‘apprentice’ Chris McNevison.
 
Made possible by:
The National Lottery Heritage Fund. 
Northern Ireland Screen’s Digital Film Archive with support from the Department for Communities. The UTV Archive in this exhibition is courtesy of the partnership project (ITV, Northern Ireland Screen and PRONI)
 
Thanks to:
Johanna Leech and Stuart Calvin, of ongoing neon project ‘Bending Glass’
AM Light
Colman Rooney
Kevin Killen
Rosie Hickey