Artist Studio

The second floor consists of a large loft style studio currently occupied by visual community artist Jim Russell. Jim - primarily an illustrator - works with a variety of media to conduct exciting, interactive community workshops. Arts for All is delighted to have Jim operate from the premises, he adds vitality and life to the Cultural Hub. Jim uses the Hub as a base to develop his work and to work with community groups, transferring his skills to north Belfast residents.

Current Work

Jim’s community arts scope has has been very varied over the last year including large scale murals in Belfast and Newry and a high degree of working with special needs young people and adults in residential care homes. Outdoor work has been an important element during this phase with several arts and gardening projects to improve psrticipants' confidence. The Children's Hospital has been a particular demonstration of how art and personal wellbeing works so well. Jim's interest in illustration and storytelling resulted in the publication of A Postcard from Greencastle, a collaborative project with children's author Declan Carville and Grange Primary School. Jim is currently a mentor with two of Arts for All's older mentees. He is working with them to develop their painting skills.