This February, the grand interiors of Powerscourt House will be transformed into a vibrant hub of Wicklow excellence as Made in Wicklow presents its most ambitious programme to date. Titled “For the Love of Creativity,” this month-long event celebrates the county’s rich heritage of making while marking a significant expansion of the brand. Established as a platform for exceptional making, Made in Wicklow is broadening its horizons for 2026, bridging the gap between hand-crafted skill, contemporary fine art, and the moving image.
The 2026 programme represents a major milestone for the platform, which now represents 55 exceptional craft practitioners from across the county. This year, the brand expands into the visual arts with “Art in the Ballroom,” a curated showcase of 160 pieces following a county-wide open call managed by the Schoolhouse for Art.
Evelyn Murray, Project Lead at Made in Wicklow and LEADER Rural Development Officer at County Wicklow Partnership, notes that the initiative is ‘ designed to highlight Wicklow as the heartbeat of local creativity, uniting the skill of individual makers with the county’s global reputation for film and culture’.
At the heart of the programme is a double-showcase of pure craft, led first by the “Head, Heart and Hands” exhibition (30th January until 8th February ) and then followed by what will be the spectacular “In Glorious Technicolour exhibition ; From Screen to Craft”. While “Head, Heart and Hands” serves as the core celebration of the 55 makers currently on the platform—displaying mastery in ceramics, woodcraft, textiles, and metalwork— “In Glorious Technicolour” takes that craft a step further. This collaboration with the Irish Costume Archive Project features original costumes from world-renowned productions like Breakfast at Pluto, In the Name of the Father and The Tudors, displayed alongside bespoke works by Wicklow makers who have interpreted these iconic garments through their own craft disciplines.
The programme further encompasses a dedicated short film showcase titled “The Powerscourt Edit,” a curated weekend of Artists talks from WCC Arts Office, a book launch by Dr Nadia Ramatour, a high-fashion exhibition by international designer Claire Garvey and a milestone 25th-anniversary celebration for the Traveller-led creative enterprise, Shuttleknit.
By housing these diverse disciplines under one roof, the programme underscores the artistic vibrancy and economic importance of the local creative sector, offering the public a comprehensive look at the talent driving the Garden County’s creative economy.
This project is made possible through significant investment and collaborative support. It is funded by the LEADER Rural Development Programme 2023–2027, Wicklow County Council, County Wicklow Partnership, and Screen Wicklow. The initiative is further supported by Wicklow Tourism, Wicklow Arts Office and the Local Enterprise Office, Wicklow, ensuring a joined-up approach to promoting the county’s cultural assets.
This month long programme kicks off on January 30th and runs through March 1st, with the majority of exhibitions offering free entry to the public. For full programme details and to explore the work of the 55 practitioners, visit www.madeinwicklow.com.