The National Library of Wales - e-Resources Catalogue

Curriculum Cymreig--Art

Contents- Art

Many websites and resources relating to Art in Wales exist. They cover works by Welsh artists. The field is vast and includes visual art, modern art, public art, painting, printmaking, sculpture, land art, photography, animation, ceramics, ironwork, glass and textiles. Much of the Art work in Wales places an emphasis on the local environment, different periods and cultures in Wales.

General Art resources

This is an overview and listing of the more general art resources.

The Arts Council of Wales official website provides background information to the body that is responsible for funding and developing the Arts in Wales. The website provides a wealth of information on the Arts in Wales. They are also behind Arts and Young People in Wales and Arts Training Wales.

Welsh Art has witnessed a surge of interest in recent years and this is reflected with a number of television shows showcasing Welsh Art. Y Sioe Gelf is a television series broadcasted on S4C which looks at all aspects of arts in Wales. The website has information about the series and the individual programmes. The BBCi's guide to the arts and entertainment in Wales contains many reviews of the latest arts and entertainment releases in Wales, features on artists and interviews with individuals involved in the arts scene.

ArtX is a guide to visual artists and craftspeople in Wales, with a searchable database of creative workers, help and advice and latest news on the art scene in Wales. The resource contains up to date information on what's on in Wales, an arts supplier database, a growing archive of reviews of previous exhibitions and shows, and a database of not only artists who live in Wales, but also those from further afield who wish to take part in workshops, projects or residencies in Wales.

Art Cymru is an informative guide to the contemporary art scene in Wales, and a non-profit-making art magazine. The website contains artists' galleries, listing of art events and galleries in Wales, a news section and a number of articles on the contemporary art scene.

Artworks Wales is the national organisation for public art in Wales. The website posts an introduction to the organisation, its services and how your school can apply for funding. Its Artists in Residence programme enables people from all walks of life to have access to artists and to see their work in progress at first hand, helping to clarify the ways that artists develop their work.

Welsh Paintings is a website that promotes the work of artists and contemporary art made in Wales. Artists are carefully selected and their work is displayed in the online art exhibition.

The Contemporary Artists of Wales web site specialises in the visual arts in Wales since 1950 and lists many artists of the contemporary Welsh art scene. There are examples of the artistsâ work, some biographical notes, literature sources and internet links. The website is sub-divided into numerous disciplines and includes calligraphy, sculpture, installation, construction, video art, photo art and stained glass.

CBAT-The Arts and Regeneration Agency is a public art consultancy working with artists, architects, communities, public authorities and the private sector in order to improve urban and environmental design. CBAT has supported the success of many urban and rural regeneration initiatives in Wales. Other websites relating to civic art which are worth visiting are Cardiff Harbour Authority, Rhondda Heritage Park or even the Millennium Coastal Park near Llanelli.

Art Competitions and Festivals

Many of us are aware of art competitions such as the Turner Prize. Wales also has Art competitions that have developed an international reputation such as Artesmundi, the Wales International Visual Arts Prize. The aim is to recognise visual artists, wherever they are from in the world, and 'celebrate visual culture within an international context'. The first Artesmundi prize was awarded to Xu Bing. Exhibits from all short listed were displayed at the National Museum and Gallery in Cardiff, including Welsh artist Tim Davies.

Another important art event is Harlech Biennale , recognised since its foundation in 1994 as a unique visual art event in Wales. It is established both within the UK and internationally as a centre of visual culture and creativity. Its main aim is to create informed contemporary art exhibitions and to deliver creative outreach workshops run by professional artists for the benefit of regional communities in Wales and Europe.

The Wales Arts International aims through its activities to raise the profile of the arts from Wales and to provide access to information and contacts within Wales for an international audience. 2003 was the first time Wales was represented in the Venice Biennale of Art, which is arguably the most important event in the contemporary arts calendar. The 4 artists representing Wales were Cerith Wyn Evans, Bethan Huws, Simon Pope and Paul Seawrite. The website has a bibliography, biography and details of past exhibitions.

The National Eisteddfod of Wales also holds art and craft competitions, as does the Urdd Eisteddfod for children and young people.

The Campaign for Drawing will hold events for all ages throughout Britain in October 2004. The launch event for Wales was held in Cardiff. Its website provides details of its many events and education programme.

Artists in Wales

Details of many Welsh Artists are available online. This is a short listing of some of the more famous artists from Wales and those who often run workshops for schools. Many more are listed within Wales on the Web.

Biographies and online galleries of many artists in Wales are also included within many general art related websites.

Historic Art Collections

Both the National Library of Wales and the National Museums and Galleries of Wales hold an impressive array of art from Wales.

The National Museums and Galleries of Wales Art webpages provide details of their collections, as well as historical information on Art in Wales. The catalogue of the Art Department of the National Museums and Galleries of Wales includes many paintings and sculptures from their collections. It also lists biographical information on over nine hundred artists. Searching within the collections can be done in many ways, including searching for works by title, A-Z listing of artists, and it is possible to search for representations of people and places. It is also possible to create your own personal gallery.

The National Library of Wales website also has details of its picture collection, plus a section on topographical and landscape prints from Wales. The National Library of Wales also hold many online exhibitions. The Work and Play exhibition is a snapshot into the everyday life of people in Wales, from art collections held at the National Library of Wales and Carmarthen Museum. The work theme includes working with heavy metals, and coal mining. The leisure pictures include 'images of play, sport and enjoying the outdoors in picnics and the seaside'. The Play pictures concentrates on the more serious subjects of worship, poem-making and protesting.

Another online exhibition is that of Thomas Jones Pencerrig (1742 - 1803). Jones was a 'Welsh landscape artist of considerable talent and inventiveness'. This virtual exhibition commemorates the bicentenary of Thomas Jones' death.

The Gathering the Jewels website also has a number of images relating to Art in Wales. They have online paintings of the work of a number of famous artists' including Sir Kyffin Williams, JMW Turner and Penry Williams. Their Arts and Culture section contains a full listing of images.

A resource for those seeking information about archive material relating to art and design is the APR- Artists' Papers Register. It is a 'computerised register of papers and primary sources relating to artists, designers and craftspeople located in publicly accessible collections in the United Kingdom' and includes many references to Wales. It is possible to search the database by artist name, repository, type of artist or by a general keyword search. The register provides information on many artists and repositories in Wales and biographical details of many artists.

Other forms of Artwork

For the art of ceramics and pottery it is worth visiting North Wales Potters or Phil Rogers Pottery whose work has been exhibited across the world. Brookhouse Pottery and Malt House is housed in an 18th century woollen mill on the outskirts of Denbigh. They hold many workshops, courses and exhibitions. The International Ceramics Festival is a biennial ceramics event, which began in 1987 and is organised jointly by North Wales Potters, South Wales Potters and Aberystwyth Arts Centre. The website has general information about the event, invited artists, bookings, location, programme, news, past festivals and a hall of fame.

Cadwyn - Welsh Lovespoons Online provides a history of Welsh lovespoons and the meaning of their symbols whilst Gathering the Jewels provides online images of a number of lovespoons .

The Recycled Bottle Glass Centre Limited in Newport works in partnership with schools to promote the message of recycling and environmental sustainability through Art. The Pontypool Gateway Project provides the reasoning behind new sculptures in Pontypool. Local schools were involved in the project.

Craft is a form of decorative art. The Wales Craft Council website includes information on craft events in Wales, directory of Welsh craft businesses, and related links to other UK and Welsh based craft websites. The Craft School, based in Blaenau Ffestiniog, is dedicated to re-introducing the skills of the past, along with newer art forms, using the simplest of tools and other equipment. The school offers a varied selection of courses for all needs and experience.

Other Art related websites include Fibre Art Wales and Black Ink Only. Fibre Art Wales was founded in 1999 by a group of professional artists working with fibre and/or related techniques. The group exists to promote their professional interests and stimulate public interest in new developments in this area of the visual arts. Use Black Ink Only is a curated platform highlighting artists from Wales. It is intended to tap into high profile events in the UK and beyond, inviting artists, curators, writers and musicians to collaborate. The site contains a archive of artists' biographies, and a programme of events.

Art in the Community

Many artists run workshops with the local community in mind. Many of these artists are listed within the Artists section of Wales on the Web. One such initiative is Creu-ad a company of artists helping communities across Wales to express their sense of place in a creative way. Creu-ad works with many groups and agencies in Wales and uses the arts 'as tools for interpreting the countryside'. It offers training for artists and local people, and develops and manages many projects.

Cardigan Open Art Studios is an annual event that takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend when artists in the Cardigan area open their studios to the public for free providing an opportunity for art lovers, students or those just âlookingâ to see more of the creative process and to meet the artists in their working environment. Arts Care is an another innovative arts initiative based in West Wales and provides arts workshops for people of all ages and abilities, as is Valley and Vale Community Arts in the village of Bettws near Bridgend

Art Galleries in Wales

Many Museums and Art Galleries exist in Wales and many already have an online presence. Many of them also have educational facilities and workshops for schools and display the work of local artists. This is a summary of what exists Wales. A fuller listing is available from Wales on the Web.

Art Galleries- north Wales

Bodelwyddan Castle is near Rhyl, Denbighshire and is an outstation of the National Portrait Gallery.
The Royal Cambrian Academy is based in Conwy and provides information regarding the Academy and art in Wales.
Oriel Davies Gallery is in Newtown, Powys and deals with modern and contemporary art.
The Chapel of Art is a centre of excellence for the visual and performing Arts in Cricieth, Gwynedd. The website provides information on exhibitions, the international potters' path, past and present Cricieth, and has ceramic, craft and fine art virtual galleries.
Tower House Gallery DDIM YN GWEITHIO is in Knighton, Powys. The gallery shows contemporary work by artists from The Marches and the County of Powys.
Wrexham Arts Centre holds many art exhibitions and educational events. The website also provides online access to art material from past exhibitions.
Memorial Gallery is at Yale College near Wrexham. The website provides online access to past and present exhibitions.
Glynllifon Gallery DDIM YN GWEITHIO is part of the Glynllifon Estate near Caernarfon. Composed mainly of craft works, there is also an opportunity to see the artists at work in the workshops.
Llanbedrog Arts Centre is located on the coast of the Llyn Peninsula. The centre has a gallery and offers a varied programme of residential or non-residential arts related courses. The website contains a history of the gallery and surrounding area, and a biographical details and information to many local artists.
Anglesey Heritage Gallery DDIM YN GWEITHIO is in Llangefni. It is possible to discover about Anglesey's interesting past from visiting the gallery.
Oriel Mostyn Gallery is a contemporary art gallery located in Llandudno. The gallery displays contemporary, modern and fine art exhibitions by major international artists. The website provides details of current and past exhibitions and its educational facilities.
The Museum of Modern Art, Wales is located alongside The Tabernaclë a centre for the performing arts, in Machynlleth. The museum has six exhibition spaces which house modern Welsh art throughout the year along with the Tabernacle Collection and the Brotherhood of Ruralists. Individual artist are spotlighted in temporary exhibitions and in July workshops are given for adults and children.

Art Galleries- south Wales

The Art Gallery and Museum is located within Aberystwyth University. The Gallery hold many exhibitions. The website has biographies and online exhibition to many artists work including that of Evelyn Gibbs and Claudia Williams.
The Ceramic collection is one of the major collections of studio ceramics in Britain and was formed between 1920-1936. The website posts information about the collection and what it contains, the archives contents, conferences and events and exhibitions and research.
Over the years, the Martin Tinney Gallery in Cardiff has become widely acknowledged as the premier commercial art gallery in Wales, promoting the very best of 20th century and contemporary Welsh art both in the Cardiff gallery and at regular exhibitions in London and abroad. There are regular solo and group exhibitions showcasing the best of the leading Welsh artists. The website provides information on the gallery, its exhibitions and artists.
The Attic Gallery in Swansea's Old Maritime Quarter is Wales' longest established private art gallery, founded in 1962. The gallery aims to highlight the work of Wales' most important contemporary artists as well as seek out emerging talents and there is a full exhibition programme of solo and mixed shows with a changing display of new paintings, graphics and sculpture.
The Bridge Gallery in Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire is a specialist fine art gallery for landscape artists.
Cambria Arts aim to encourage and promote the production and development of new arts work and provide greater opportunities and coverage to local artists in Ceredigion. The Oriel Cambrian Gallery is in Tregaron.
Glynn Vivian Gallery website provides information on the background, exhibitions, events and collections of the gallery which is located in Swansea. Exhibits include pottery, porcelain and fine art.
Fine Art and Craft Exhibition is held in St Davids in August 2004. The exhibition showcases the work of individual artists/craftspeople from Pembrokeshire. Exhibitors include Siân Davies (willow worker), Neil Richardson (potter), Riitta Sinkonnen-Davies (weaver), Susan Sands (painter and printamker) and Sara Lloyd Morris (designer/jeweller). The website provides details of exhibitors work.
Art Matters is an art gallery located in Tenby. It exhibits a wide variety of art from west Wales. The website has an online gallery of work currently on show in the gallery and brief information relating to the artists. The gallery also hold a number of courses and workshops and a art competition open to the public.
The website for Harbour Lights Art Gallery in Porthgain provides details and an online gallery for the many artists who are on show at the art gallery in Pembrokeshire.
Kings Street Art Gallery is in Carmarthen and has recently been rescued from the verge of closure by a co-operative of local artists. The aim is to highlight Welsh art and craft from the local area, and artists are often seen working in the gallery. The website has details and online gallery of local artists.
The Signature Gallery is a new forum for the arts in Mumbles, Swansea. Their mission is to provide a platform for local or emerging artists, as well those who are established, to display their work including painting, photography, sculpture, ceramics and jewellery. The gallery also acts as a teaching venue for small groups in a variety of arts and crafts.
Black Mountain Gallery is situated in the village of Cwmllynfell, in the Swansea Valley on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The artists' work covers the whole spectrum of artistic techniques from welded steel sculpture to oil painting. The site provides examples of the artwork at the gallery, visitor information and news and events details.
Albany Gallery in Cardiff is one of Wales' longest-established private art galleries. The site provides details of current, past and future exhibitions along with a section dedicated to Sir Kyffin Williams.
Canfas Gallery is located on Glamorgan Street in Cardiff. The site provides information on current exhibitions, an information page on various artists, details of the gallery's education programme and contact details for the gallery.
The Washington Gallery is in Penarth and exhibits the work of Welsh artists. The website provides detailed information and online gallery for many impressive exhibitions that have been held at the gallery over the last year.

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