Outside art being freely given

Alice Burns said that all the art was freely given

By Arthur Strain
BBC News

Gallery space can cost, but not if your display area is outside and if you give the art away.

Belfast City Council may not have known about it, but the iron grilles at the front of the City Hall became the backdrop for such a free art event on Saturday.

Organised by local artist Alice Burns, also known as Dogtired on the web, her title for the day was mailer, based on how the art reaches her.

Those wishing to contribute to the day posted her pieces of their work, quite a lot of it on cardboard because the postage is cheaper.

Others sent dolls, prints and other items - all to be taken away by the public, with no charge.

Reg Murray-Baucher brought along his own piece to be given away

On the back of each piece is the artist's name and their email address so those who take the piece can contact them with their opinion.

Ms Burns said that it was the second time Belfast had seen such an event, but that the last one, in November, had been indoors due to inclement weather.

She said that it was a way of bringing art to the people, and there was a steady stream of people making their way up the steps of the City Hall to see where all the colour had appeared from.

"The majority of people of people don't like going to art galleries and this is a way to bring art to them," she said.

"Then they can take it home for free."

Similar events have been taking place in New York, Manchester and Vancouver during July. Another may take place in Belfast next year.