Safehouse Art Gallery

I’ve never actually been to the Safehouse Gallery for an exhibition, although I have been impressed by the artwork there when I come here for the Voicebox Comedy night. It’s a cracker little venue for comedy and films — very shabby and almost like going into someone’s house because of the main room which reminds me of a living room. It’s in Donegall Street which is worth exploring for itself for the galleries, shops, pubs and community organisations all crammed in here. The Safehouse fits right in and is definitely worth a visit, no matter what’s on.

If you are looking for a bohemian arty slightly underground feel then go to visit the Open House gallery in the Cathedral Quarter, housed in an old tall town house that dates from 1790.
A steep wooden staircase takes you up to the gallery and whole place is wonderfully shabby with wooden floors and painted panelling. There I whiled away a pleasant half hour or so looking at the exhibition then in situ — they change regularly — of vivid, colourful paintings by Northern Ireland artist Clinton Kirkpatrick.
The artists that exhibit there range from the unknown to the well established so there always the promise of a new discovery in a great, old fashioned gallery space.