Behind The Studio Door

CEX
Sep 22
2 min read

Updated: Oct 27

QSS & Creative Exchange; Open Studios 2025. Saturday October 25th 11.30am - 5pm

Katherine St Angelo's studio space at Creative Exchange

Step inside the city’s creative engine rooms as over 65 artists open their doors across Creative Exchange & QSS Studios & Gallery, during the Belfast International Arts Festival.

Roam around at your own pace between 11.30am and 5pm or book onto a guided tour* for more in depth conversations with a specific artists about their work, inspirations, and creative processes. Complimentary refreshments will be available at both venues.

QSS Studios & Gallery provide affordable, high-quality studios for professional visual artists at all career stages and host a year-round programme of exhibitions and events.

Creative Exchange Artist Studios is home to a collective of artists working across ceramics, sculpture, textiles, and painting, all in an atmosphere that nurtures creative exchange and experimentation.

Both studios are vital to East Belfast’s cultural landscape. It’s a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how contemporary art is shaped, shared, and quietly sustained in this corner of the city.

Tours

There will be between 4 - 5 designated visits with artists at each venue. Guided tours are at 12:00 (beginning at Creative Exchange and finishing at QSS at 13:30) and 15:00 (beginning at QSS and finishing at Creative Exchange at 16:30). There is a short 5min walk between venues via the Newtownards Road, so please wear weather appropriate clothing.

*Tours are currently fully booked but more spaces might become available though cancelations. Please email gallery@queenstreetstudios.net to be notified about ticket availability.

Accessibility at Creative Exchange

Our main studios are in Unit B4 on the ground floor of Portview Trade Centre, and our Emerging Exchange studios are in A-Block on level 2. There is lift and stair access to the upper floors, but space within individual studios is limited. Free parking is available on site. If you have any access or mobility needs, please get in touch in advance so we can do our best to accommodate you during your visit.