Scrapbook Summer 2024

scrapbook summer 2024 gwynedd community arts

wellcome

Hello and welcome to another scrapbook from Gwynedd Community Arts.

Gwynedd Community Arts runs a series of annual schemes that support the people of Gwynedd to enjoy and experience the arts - for the benefit of individuals, society, the economy and community.

Each year, Gwynedd Community Arts runs a programme of different activities and projects across the county From workshops to exhibitions, courses to grants and festivals to creative schemes, we want everyone to enjoy the arts

We hope you enjoy this snapshot into some of the work we do.

Llwybrau Celf Bach

Llwybrau Celf Bach is a project to provide kids aged 7 - 11 with high quality arts workshops, lead by professional artists based in Gwynedd. We are always amazed and impressed by the work created by our groups of talented young people.

Sessions are run at Storiel Bangor with Eleri Jones, Plas Glyn y Weddw Llanbedrog with Tess Urbanksa and in Neuadd Aberdyfi. with Jane Barraclough. We are sad to announce that after several years of running Criw Celf Aberdyfi Jane is stepping down from the role, we wish her all the best and hope we can continue to work with her on other projects. We would like to extend a big welcome to artist Nerys Jones who will be stepping in to run the Aberdyfi sessions from September.

The next series will be starting in Autumn 2024, if you’d like to know more please email corrinazarach@gwynedd.llyw.cymru.

Craft for Wellbeing

Starting a new year we began with a new series of Craft for Wellbeing sessions in Botwnnog.

We have already held numerous Craft for Wellbeing workshops in Caernarfon and on-line but this year we decided to move to Botwnnog for the Spring period.

Lora Morgan ran the 6 bi-weekly sessions which included landscape felting, Frida Khalo pots, macramé, decoupage, 3D felt flowers and an Easter Pompom wreath.

We’ll be organising more Craft for Wellbeing sessions to start in the autumn.

fusion

The Fusion project is a Welsh Government funded project aimed at improving access to the arts to all. We have been pleased to help support some fantastic community projects coordinated by Storiel Bangor Fusion Project this year.

A variety of arts projects and events have been supported with this fund, including art workshops at Theatr y Draig Barmouth, activities for kids at Theatr Derek Williams y Bala, creative workshops for CARN Easter parade in Caernarfon and face painting for Bangor St Davids Day parade.

The Fusion project hopes to be able to reach as many residents and areas of Gwynedd as possible, and many more activities are being planned over the coming months.

oriel ysbyty gwynedd

This Spring we were delighted to exhibit work by local textile artist Ffion Evans. This exhibition was the result of part one of the Material Play project, funded by the Arts Council of Wales.

Part one of the project involved collaborating with BCUHB through sensory textile sessions to create textile artworks that aim to support wellbeing. Ffion worked with the Ysbyty Gwynedd Dementia Team and North Wales Adolescent Service, including patients and staff through textile sessions where reminiscence objects were explored as inspiration to create sensory mini quilts.

Moving forward, Ffion will integrate the invaluable insights gained through this collaboration within the next phase of the project. Ffion is excited to embark on the creation of a new body of multisensory and playful artwork which will be exhibited in Aberystwyth Art Centre during Summer and in CARN Caernarfon from September 2024.

Mwy 'more'

"Being creative is part of us, it's not something we need to give ourselves permission to do"

This year were pleased to be able to support the creative project ‘Mwy’. Facilitated by experienced artist practitioners Iona Ynyr, Sioned Medi Evans and Nia Wyn Skyrme, Mwy offers a safe supportive space to women and those that identify as women to explore feelings through creativity in many forms. Mwy offers a friendly and calm space with the opportunity to create, aspire and imagine MWY (more), in Welsh. Sessions were offered online via AM and also face to face at Porthi’r Dre community space in Caernarfon.

Mwy MORE is now going on a journey with Theatr Bara Caws production Fenast Siop, for informal creative chat after the show at three locations, an opportunity to share MORE about the menopause!

Gwynedd Youth at moel y ci

This April we were pleased to welcome a new group to take part in an art workshop at Moel y Ci Community Farm in Tregarth.

Offering a nature walk followed by a metal workshop with Artist and Jeweller Karen Williams, the group are offered the opportunity to try out a new creative skill inspired by the natural environment.

Karen has many years of experience facilitating Jewellery workshops, and this is the third time Gwynedd Youth Group have been able to join her for her fantastic workshop.

Participants had a stimulating day at Moel y Ci and produced some wonderful work, we hope they enjoyed themselves and are proud of what they achieved.

unpaid carers day

In February an information and social event was held by Gwynedd Council at the Celtic Royal Hotel for unpaid carers. As part of the event we provided a craft workshop by artist Lora Morgan, who offered attendees a chance to have a go at felting.

Two sessions were offered and we had a full table of colour and felting fluff! Everyone made their own beautiful felt flower, and some made several. Unpaid carers are a part of our community that often miss out on creative and leisure opportunities due to their responsibilities, so we were so pleased to be able to offer them this opportunity.

Its so important to offer everyone the chance to try and be creative, the effects on our mental health and wellbeing are hugely positive, it was great to see everyone relaxing and enjoying taking part in making.

Dwylo bach training

As part of the Babi a Ni project, developing access to creative play to aid child development, we were delighted to be able to collaborate with Dwylo Bach to offer a creative training day for Gwynedd based artists and early years practitioners. Lead by Ticky Lowe, Sioned Griffiths and Angharad Harrop, the training created an opportunity for participants to develop skills for their own practice, share ideas and make connections.

Dwylo Bach workshops are artist led sessions offering babies and toddlers “Invitations to Play”. Dwylo Bach encourages babies and their care givers to explore sensory materials and spaces. The sessions are completely baby led with no group activities.

The training day was attended by artists, early years practitioners and mudiad meithrin staff. Feedback was very positive - 'Got lots of ideas and inspiration.' 'Got ideas for different/new resources and ideas for simple activities. An opportunity to share experiences with other people.'

Learn more about Dwylo Bach at makingsensecio.co.uk

arts on prescription botwnnog

Arts Taster Day

At the end of April we held an Art Taster Day in Botwnnog. This followed the succesful Art Taster Days in Caernarfon and Y Bala over the past year.

During the day there was a music session for 4-7 year olds with the William Mathias Music Centre, an art class for 7- 11 year olds with Tess Urbanska and Sian Owen. In the afternoon there was a Craft for Wellbeing session with Lora Morgan for adults. The day ended with a drumming session with Neil Williams.

The day was a huge success showing the desire by local residents to take part in a variety of art sessions.

Keep an eye for future sessions or get in touch if you’re keen to organise workshops.

Night out

As the Community Arts department in the Council, we are able to support applictions made to Night Out. Our financial support can help reduce the uncertainty of making the minimum monetary return.

We support tens of events each year. You will be able to add Council support as part of your Night Out application. Please contact Night Out directly for futher information

www.nosonallan.org.uk

Remember to let us know of your events so we can help share on Gwynedd Greadigol across social media platforms.

community arts grants

Have you got any ideas for a community arts project?

Gwynedd Council's Community Arts Fund allocates grants of up to £500 to voluntary and environmental groups. Closing dates for applications: 30 December / 30 March / 30 June / 30 September. Contact us for an application form and for a chat to discuss your ideas.

celf@gwynedd.llwy.cymru

Projects we have committed to fund so far this year include art workshops for the community at Hwb Croesor, provision of Welsh music and poetry at the Barmouth Food Festival, and artists to lead the painting of a mural in Coed Helen Park in Caernarfon with Porthi Dre youth club group.

We love to hear from you, so if you have any news, feedback, comments or need advice for a creative project in Gwynedd please contact us using the email address below

celf@gwynedd.llyw.cymru

For news, opportunities and what’s on in the arts in Gwynedd go to the Creative Gwynedd website and follow us on social media

www.gwyneddgreadigol.com

Facebook @Gwynedd Greadigol-Creative Gwynedd

Instagram @celfgwyneddarts

X @CelfGwyneddArts