What’s On
Bernat Klein Symposium - 28 November 2026
‘The Colour of Everyday’ @ Belfast School of Art
The Bernat Klein Foundation Symposium, The Colour of Everyday, brings together designers, researchers, industry, makers, students and island communities to explore the role of colour in shaping culture, creativity and sustainable futures. Inspired by the legacy of Bernat Klein one of the twentieth century’s most influential textile designers, colourists and artists the symposium invites participants to consider how colour connects landscape, material, heritage and innovation.
The event is structured around four interconnected themes:
Colour in education – exploring how colour theory, material experimentation and creative pedagogy shape learning.
Colour of tomorrow – imagining future applications of colour in sustainable design, technology and material innovation.
Colour of history & heritage – examining how colour expresses cultural identity, memory and place.
Creative colour & sustainable making – showcasing practices that connect colour with ecological responsibility, craft and regenerative materials.
These themes reflect Klein’s multidisciplinary approach to design, where colour becomes a bridge between art, industry, environment and lived experience.
The call for papers is now open with notification of acceptance by 18 September.
The symposium is supported by Future-Island-Island, Belfast School of Art and Creative Scotland.
Future Island-Island: Shared Values and Collaboration
The Future Island–Island (FII) Project shares many of the Foundation’s values, with a focus on design‑led innovation, cultural heritage, sustainability and community engagement. Working with Rathlin island and island communities, the project explores how creative practice, local knowledge and collaborative research can contribute to resilient and sustainable futures.
The symposium provides a unique opportunity to bring these conversations together linking Klein’s legacy with contemporary island‑based research, material culture and environmental stewardship.
Why This Symposium Matters
The Colour of Everyday creates a space where historical design archives and contemporary sustainability challenges can speak to one another. By situating new research, creative practice and community‑based projects alongside Klein’s enduring influence, the event fosters dialogue across disciplines and generations. It highlights how colour rooted in landscape, material and culture can inspire new approaches to creative resilience, sustainable making and place‑based innovation.
Please follow the link below for more information about key dates.
https://www.futureisland-island.org/updates/bernat-klein-foundation-symposium/
Workshop @ The Design Room, Donegal Yarns
Wednesday 14th of October - Bernat Klein: Creative & Sustainable Making with Joanne Yeadon
Please follow the workshop page link to book your place.