ART
Selected by ALYS CLARK
CRAFT IN THE BAY
Situated in the heart of Cardiff Bay, Craft in the Bay is a craft space that oozes character. Alongside gallery exhibitions, you will find workshops, community projects, and collaborations with schools, colleges and universities. It’s very clean cut. The venue is open and spacious, opening out to the bay through its clear glass windows. You can event treat yourself to a spot of afternoon tea at the venue – how civilised!
The Flourish, Lloyd George Avenue, Cardiff. Info: 029 2048 4611 / www.makersguildinwales.org.uk
NATIONAL MUSEUM CARDIFF
It’s big and grand and hosts one of Europe’s finest art collections. Take a step back in time as you witness paintings from an astonishing 500 years ago. From lovers of modern art, to historic or applied art, this museum has something for everyone. It also holds grand exhibitions and events throughout the year for you to enjoy.
Cathays Park, Cardiff. Info: 030 0111 2333 / museum.wales/cardiff
CHAPTER ARTS CENTRE
Situated in the upcoming Cardiff neighbourhood Canton, Chapter is the place to go for all things trendy. They offer something for everyone from theatre productions, upcoming films, and art exhibitions. Praising itself on its offering of contemporary art; Chapter produces an array of visual and live art projects from Wales and all over the world.
Market Road, Cardiff. Info: 029 2030 4400 / www.chapter.org
ABERYSTWYTH ARTS CENTRE
Taking a break from the capital, this arts centre welcomes around 700,000 visitors a year. It is one of the UK’s largest arts centres and is recognised as a national flagship of the arts. Similar to Chapter, the arts centre also features film and music screenings, alongside art exhibitions. As part of the art faculty at Aberystwyth University, the centre often collaborates with other art subjects such as dance, theatre, photography, and more.
Penglais Campus, Aberystwyth. Info: 019 7062 3232 / www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk
ELYSIUM
If you want to get more hands on with art, then Elysium art gallery may be the one for you! As well as holding grand events such as the ESPY Photography Awards 2017, you are also able to hire studios to get your hands dirty. Holding up to 62 studio spaces across Swansea, the gallery aims to encourage collaborative experiences.
College Street, Swansea. Info: www.elysiumgallery.com
TALIESIN
Fantastic for students and art fans alike, this is arguably Swansea’s most diverse gallery. It screens an array of films, live dance and theatre performances, grand exhibitions and talks. And if you can’t make it Swansea, you could always catch some of their touring performances.
Singleton Park, Swansea. Info: 017 9260 2060 / www.taliesinartscentre.co.uk
BAY ART
Bay Art offers a platform for emerging and mid-career artists. It offers a more personal experience as you get the opportunity to attend artist talks, workshops and seminars regarding the art pieces on show. Priding themselves on being artist owned and artist lead, this gallery offers an immersive, creative experience for artists and art lovers alike.
Bute Street, Cardiff. Info: 029 2065 0016 / www.bayart.org.uk
BOUNDARY ART
Knocking down the wall between artist and spectator, Boundary Art is a gallery that gives artists the opportunity to interact with their audiences. Celebrating the relationship between artists and spectators gives the gallery a communal feel. It also celebrates the coming together of cultures, focusing on Western and Chinese relationships. An example of this would be through the Oriental tea rooms that they have to offer. Enjoy a sip of Chinese culture whilst you wander through the art exhibitions.
Sovereign Quay, Havannah Street, Cardiff. Info: 029 2048 9869 / www.boundaryart.com
FFOTOGALLERY
If photography is more your thing, make sure to check out Ffotogallery. Often producing touring exhibitions and collaborations with other galleries, it has a keen interest in producing new work. Mainly focusing on photography in Wales, the gallery aims to produce a sound understanding of contemporary photography and lens based media.
Info: www.ffotogallery.org
MARTIN TINNEY GALLERY
A more sophisticated affair in this gallery as it is now considered to be Wales’ premier private commercial art gallery. Specialising in Welsh artists of the highest quality, Martin Tinney portrays its art over three floors of beautiful exhibition space. They are the only gallery that exhibits work regularly at art fairs such as the London Art Fair.
St Andrew’s Crescent, Cardiff. Info: 029 2064 1411 / www.artwales.com