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The Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough, joined by local elected representatives, has toured the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio to witness progress on its major extension.
The visit highlighted the scale of the redevelopment, its expected benefits for the wider community, and the council’s strategic plans for the site ahead of reopening in autumn 2026.
With the scheme now in its final phase, attendees viewed substantial works already completed on site.
Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough, Councillor Mary O'Dowd, said: "It is fantastic to see the significant progress being made on this major construction project at the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio. This investment demonstrates our commitment to enhancing cultural infrastructure across the Borough, creating a high-quality, accessible and inclusive space for residents and visitors. Once complete, this expanded facility will provide greater opportunities for learning, creativity and engagement, further strengthening the Gallery’s role as a key cultural destination."
The expansion will double the size of the facility and deliver a new collection gallery to showcase more of F.E. McWilliam's nationally significant work, a large education and community space, expanded storage, an extended shop, café and tourism information area, a Changing Places facility, a larger car park, and two new multi-purpose rooms for programming and hire.
The extension is being delivered by Hall Black Douglas (architects), McKelvey Construction (contractor) and Nick Hall Architects (exhibition designers).
The council expressed thanks to funders including the UK Government, The Wolfson Foundation and the Northern Ireland Museums Council. The council is also contributing to the project to provide modern amenities and support the gallery’s growth as a leading cultural destination.
The gallery remains open for much of the construction period and is currently hosting an exhibition by local artists, Shore Collective, Threads of Time: Industry, Ecology, and the River Bann, alongside a summer workshop programme.
