FUSE arts to Present Interactive STEAM Activities, Youth Dance Performances and Community Art at Foyle Maritime Festival 2026 – 25 to 28 June

FUSE arts will deliver an exciting programme of interactive STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) workshops, performances and creative experiences as part of Foyle Maritime Festival 2026.

Designed for audiences of all ages, the programme will encourage creativity, curiosity and intergenerational participation while celebrating the rich heritage, innovation and cultural identity of Derry~Londonderry. Through hands-on workshops, live performances and immersive creative experiences, visitors will explore themes including environmental sustainability, local industry and innovation, maritime heritage, and the 15th anniversary of the iconic Peace Bridge.

The diverse programme will feature a wide range of interactive STEAM activities in the ‘Science of Water’ Tent, including:

• “Pirate Penny and the £1 Boat” Interactive Storytelling Performance – a lively, family-friendly adventure inspired by the River Foyle, blending local folklore, marine science, music, and audience participation.
• Build-a-Bridge Challenge – inspired by the Peace Bridge, participants will design and construct structures capable of supporting weight while discovering the principles of engineering, architecture, and problem-solving.
• Fabric Collage Workshops – inviting families to create vibrant textile artworks that will contribute to a large-scale community installation.
• Natural Dye Laboratory – an engaging exploration of the science, creativity, and sustainability of producing dyes from natural materials such as berries, plants, and onion skins.

FUSE arts ‘Facilitating arts opportunities that Unite communities, Support the creative infrastructure and Engage people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities’ Company Number: NI720133 St Columb’s Park House 4 Limavady Road Waterside Co.Derry~Londonderry BT47 6JY hello@fuseartsni.com Instagram | Facebook

• Puppet Making Workshops – combining engineering, creativity, and storytelling through the design and construction of moving puppets using recycled materials.
• Community Weaving Activities – creating a collaborative artwork inspired by DNA, identity, connection, and the city’s rich textile heritage.
• Sensory Sound Making – encouraging participants to experiment with sound, vibration, and natural materials inspired by the unique environment of the River Foyle.

In addition to the activities tent programme, FUSE arts’ youth dance troupe will present Ebb & Flow, a playful and imaginative movement piece inspired by the sea, with two performances taking place on Saturday in the Festival Village.

Choreographed by Zoe Ramsey and performed by young dancers from FUSE arts, Ebb & Flow follows a group of children as they ripple, splash, swirl, and drift together like the ever-changing ocean. From gentle tides to rolling waves, the performance captures the joy, energy, and tranquillity of the sea through creative movement and music, celebrating the rhythm and spirit of the maritime environment.

Another key highlight of the programme will be activities connected to Entangled Peace, an ambitious international community arts project led by Chilean artist Tere Chad in partnership with FUSE arts. Running through to 2028, the project brings communities together through textile upcycling, collaborative making, and creative participation, using the arts as a powerful tool for sustainable peacebuilding, environmental awareness, and social connection.

“We’re really excited to be part of this year’s Foyle Maritime Festival again and can’t wait to welcome people of all ages into the Activities Tent. Through a packed programme of hands-on STEAM workshops, storytelling, creative activities, and performances, we’ll be inviting families to explore, experiment and create together while celebrating our local heritage, and discovering the stories, innovation, and creativity that make our city unique.

We hope our tent will be a space where people can learn something new, get creative together, make connections, and have fun while reflecting on what it means to be ‘Forged by the Foyle’ and how our shared stories continue to shape the cultural DNA of our city” – Aoife Boyle, FUSE arts Company Co-Director

Festival visitors will also have the opportunity to experience Woven Hug 2.0, a striking large-scale textile sculpture created by communities across the region at Flowerfield Arts Centre in 2023. The artwork will continue to evolve throughout the lifespan of the Entangled Peace project.

A showcase of creative work produced by local school children in response to the festival theme will also bring colour and life to the tent.

By combining science, creativity, innovation, sustainability, and local heritage, FUSE arts’ programme offers a unique opportunity for residents and visitors alike to explore what it means to be “Forged by the Foyle” and to reflect on how the stories, people, and traditions of the city continue to shape its cultural DNA.

This programme is funded by the Derry City & Strabane District Council with kind support from LDB Safety, AE Global, Scarpello & Co and Allies Studio.

FUSE arts is a multidisciplinary community arts organisation based in Derry~Londonderry who Facilitate arts opportunities that Unite communities, Support the creative infrastructure and Engage people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities in the arts. The festival programme marks an important milestone as the organisation celebrates its second anniversary, reflecting two years of creative collaboration, community engagement and innovative arts practice across the region.

The Foyle Maritime Festival 2026 takes place from 25–28 June 2026, bringing together an exciting programme of maritime, cultural, and family-friendly events for audiences of all ages.