Irish Design Week 2026: Welcome To The Table Workshop 1
As part of Irish Design Week 2026
Welcome to the table is a participatory visual project and exhibition exploring belonging, third culture identity and cultural exchange through the lens of food, table settings, and shared meal rituals. You are invited to co-create table environments inspired by different cultures and ways of living, with each table becoming a visual expression of heritage, cultural traditions, rituals as well as contemporary habits.
The project is rooted in the idea that identity is not only shaped by nationality but by lived experience, creativity, migration and memory and that it continues to evolve. Through designed tableware, surfaces, vessels and place settings, audiences are invited to experience different cultures.
From creating centrepieces with natural materials to exploring zines and Tunisian cuisine, our workshops during Irish Design Week 2026 will turn ideas into objects and shared experiences, with the resulting tables and stories displayed at Belfast Central Library and Second Nature.
Join us and develop ideas through making and exchange with contributions from designers, artists, researchers and food practitioners.
What’s on:
- Hands-on design and making workshops exploring table settings, objects and natural materials
- Conversations about food, culture, creative health and who gathers around the table
- Food and Gathering focused sessions with BIA! Zine, Larder East and Carthago including a Tunisian tasting tray
- An exhibition of student product design, workshop creations and food stories
- Evening showcases for Late Night Art and Design After Dark
About The Workshop
Meet at The Art Shop at Belfast School of Art
10.00-12.30 – An introduction with Belfast Design Week’s Christine James & Karishma Kusurkar and The Art Shop’s Celeste Owens. Belfast School of Art lecturers Dr. Pamela Whitaker and Dr. Adriana Ionascu explore who gathers around the table, intention, material objects, food, psychology, creative health and “glimmers.”
12.30-14.00 – A tour of Belfast Central Library – a vital third space in the community full of heritage, design and ideas for gathering
14.00-16.00 – Create a centrepiece for a gathering space using natural materials and join BIA! Zine for a very special workshop!
This is a free drop in event there’s no need to sign up just join us on the day!
