I couldn't rate Queen's University any less than 5 stars, simply because I work here. The building…read moreitself is amazing, the surrounding gardens are beautiful and very well kept. It's also very close to Botanic gardens which its nice for lunch time walks. There's so many places in and around the area to go for a coffee, breakfast or lunch and dinner or drinks, spoilt for choice.

beautiful campus Not…read moreas beautiful as Glasgow ;), but still beautiful nonetheless. In all seriousness, it's the main Uni in the North and due to that, it's very hard to get in. Most students go to uni in Liverpool or Glasgow because of that. Go on a stroll through the campus with some nice walking shoes.

The gallery at Belfast Print Workshop isn't much more than a small room which you walk more or less…read morestraight into from Cotton Court, right opposite the Victorian façade of the Merchant Hotel. A sense of creativity and enthusiasm shows in the collection of prints that are for sale here produced by the workshop members who populate the studio units upstairs. Prints are made in the old fashioned traditional methods of engraving and intaglio and have a special quality that is far removed the computer generated stuff that surrounds us most of the time. I went to an exhibition opening there recently where a rarefied, small artist crowd had gathered which presumably consisted mainly of those associated with the workshop. It's pretty exclusive but also a good way of seeing what the type of work being produced in the higher echelons of the artistic community here in Belfast

Now to be honest I've only ever been here a couple of times before. Once was a long time ago at a…read morekind've 'open night' for the complex where an artist I know had a workshop in there and promised me free red wine. I know, I know...that's a cheap admission. Anyway, I'd only really been aware of the ground level gallery in this great building but it was amazing to check out all the different workshops and the variety of the print making available. Of special note was one dude who spent a lengthy time talking me through the process itself and how he achieved his end result. Apparently you can visit the workshops and buy the work as well. The 'open night' seemed to be successful as well as there seemed to be a lot of people in and buying or ordering work. The gallery downstairs is always worth a look as it every changing and there's plenty of young (and not so young) vibrant art on display. Pros: Unique gallery/workspace. Cons: Small exhibition space.

Studied here's on the BA Fine and Applied art course. Personally,was a waste of time. Wish I had…read morespent my time and money found something else. The course lacked in tuition and facilities. From what I have heard other courses are better than the one I did. So perhaps look at one of those. The building is pretty nice. Take the elevator as the stairs can be confusing working out where you are. The views from the newly developed building as of 2016 are awesome. The lighting is also great.

THE highlight of my year is ALWAYS the Ulster University (UU) end of year art and design…read moreexhibition. It's a fabulous, free day out where you can wander around the Belfast campus of UU enjoying recent graduate artwork. Also known as Belfast School of Art or The Art College. The building itself is an impressive architectural delight, full of natural light and is warm, welcoming and modern in atmosphere and design. Home to BA, Masters and PhD courses in all areas of design, fine arts, craft and architecture. You can literally see everything here - ceramics, silversmithing, jewellery, sculpture, painting, installation art, graphic design, film, interior and architecture etc. The graduate show is open to the public for approximately a week each June. Wear comfy shoes, as once you're in Belfast School of Art you'll literally spend a full day taking in all the wonderful, exciting and sometimes weird art on display. Most of the art is for sale, so if you fall in love with a piece you might be able to buy it - and who knows - it might even be by a future superstar Artist! Follow on Twitter @BelfastSchArt or via their website to keep track of the dates for the annual student exhibition ~ http://belfastschoolofart.com/

Unique by name and character, this art shop is a treasury of beautiful items including paintings,…read moreillustrations, prints, photos, ceramics, jewellery, scarves, soft furnishings and gifts. Displaying distinctive pieces by established artists and students of Ulster University's Art School, where it is located, this is the place to go if you want to purchase something special. All creations on display are for sale, plus there's the option to commission bespoke artwork. Unique also run occasional art workshops and events, so it's worthwhile keeping an eye on their website/ social media accounts.

There's nothing worse than long, dark, winter nights when all you do is sit at home in front of the…read moreTV. That's why evening classes are such a great idea, they are a perfect way to liven up your mid-week, learn something new, have fun and meet people. I've been attending art classes through Open Learning for the last few years which have included acrylic, watercolour and oil painting and I've loved every minute. A great way to relax, de-stress and pick up new skills. Open Learning which is based within Queen's University Belfast have been running adult day and evening classes for decades. The range of courses offered is extensive and includes art, complementary therapies, languages, computing, photography, creative writing, first aid, history, politics, music, wine tasting and philosophy plus many more options. Full course details can be found online at: http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofEducation/StudyattheSchool/OpenLearning/ Classes are taught in 10 weekly sessions starting each year in autumn, new year and spring. You need absolutely no prior qualifications or experience. It's just a case of enrol, pay a reasonable fee and turn up for class. Enrolment takes place online, by telephone, post or in person by dropping into the Open Learning Office located in 20 College Green, Belfast. There is an option to build up CAT (Credit Accumulation and Transfer) points and gain a Certificate if you wish. Or you can just do the classes for fun, as I do. I promise you will not be disappointed with these brilliant, interesting, leisure classes.

Really nice art store with a wide selection of items. Unfortunately, I was only searching for a new…read morejournal, but the journal selection was also quite extensive. 3-4 racks. Massive collection of Leuchtturms and Moleskins if that's what you're into. Would recommend. I grabbed one for a friend from a brand I didn't immediately recognize in a niche color. Staff seemed quite friendly additionally.

Absolutely delighted with my Bradbury Art Store delivery; was able to order over the phone and my…read moreWinsor & Newton art supplies were delivered to me the next working day. Canvas and oil paints - looking forward to using them. Excellent quick service, very helpful staff and great selection of quality art materials. This will help me carry on painting during the Coronavirus lockdown - thank you Bradbury Art, much appreciated.

I am in no way an art buff. I'm not an art anything in fact. But I do like to have a look around…read morethese places, even just to seem a little cultured to the store assistant who can obviously seen through my nods of appreciation. From the outside it looks a little more commercial to other galleries in the area. It always has advertisements in its windows, stating silly pointless things that you should already expect to find in a gallery (not signs saying 'pretty paintings!' but close enough). The price range clearly shows that the stuff here really is for someone who wants to make a serious commitment. Paying 4/5 hundred pounds for a painting the size of my palm is the biggest commitment anyone can make in my opinion!

Eakin's my favourite art gallery on the Lisburn Road. A lovely little family run gallery spanning…read moretwo floors of a red brick townhouse. Specialists in contemporary Irish art they also have some pieces from the past as well. You'll find a range of Artists' work here including George Callaghan, Brian Ballard, Neil Shawcross, Dean McDowell, Louis le Brocquy, J B Vallely and Terry Bradley amongst others. I always call in for a look when I pass Eakin. Yesterday I visited to view the beautiful, stylised, atmospheric paintings of George Callaghan. His harvest sunset paintings are mesmerising and I adore his 'Purple Haze' landscapes. A beautiful exhibition for this time of year as we near the end of October. Prices vary, ranging from smaller works for a few hundred pounds to larger paintings for a few thousand. If I win the lotto I may one day be able to buy instead of just browse! The owner Brian Eakin is very welcoming and their website's kept fully updated with all current paintings listed. However nothing beats a stroll through Eakin Gallery to see the paintings in the flesh.