Construction work on a major extension to the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio in Banbridge is well advanced, with completion expected by autumn 2026.

Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Mary O’Dowd, visited the site with other elected representatives to view progress. The project will double the size of the existing facility.

New features include a dedicated gallery space for the nationally significant collection of sculptor F.E. McWilliam, an education and community room, and expanded storage areas. The shop, café and tourism information area will be enlarged, and a Changing Places accessible toilet facility is being added.

The car park will be extended and two new multi-purpose rooms created for public programming and private hire.

The design is led by Hall Black Douglas architects, with McKelvey Construction as the main contractor and Nick Hall Architects overseeing exhibition design.

The expansion is funded by the UK Government, The Wolfson Foundation, the Northern Ireland Museums Council, and Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.

The gallery remains open during construction. It is currently showing an exhibition by local artists’ group Shore Collective, titled Threads of Time: Industry, Ecology, and the River Bann, along with a programme of summer workshops.