TOP ART GALLERIES
Selected by ANWEN WILLIAMS
NATIONAL MUSEUM CARDIFF
With arguably the best display of art in Wales, the national museum displays 500 years of impressive collections by artists from all over the world. Featuring the work of Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, Pierre Bonnard and Jan Van Goyen – the gallery is split into three categories; historical art, modern and impressionist art, and applied art. The collection includes one of Europe’s best collections of impressionist art.
Cathays Park, Cardiff. Info: 030 0111 2333 / www.museum.wales/cardiff
MARTIN TINNEY GALLERY
This converted 19th century townhouse exhibits pieces by some of the most recognisable artists in Wales. With a constantly changing gallery on two of the three available floors, the commercial gallery specialises in a range of high quality work – past and present. Welsh and Welsh-based artists include Harry Holland, Sally Moore, Kyffin Williams, Josef Herman and many more.
St Andrews Crescent, Cardiff. Info: 029 2064 1411 / www.artwales.com
GLYNN VIVIAN ART GALLERY
Displaying a wide spectrum of visual arts, the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery is a partner of London’s Tate Gallery. From the original inheritance of Richard Glynn Vivian to the work of old masters as well as an international collection of porcelain, the gallery is known for its beautifully diverse collections. Having recently undergone a multi-million pound renovation which was completed in 2016, the gallery provides additional gallery and social spaces.
Alexandra Road, Swansea. Info: 017 9251 6900 / www.swansea.gov.uk/glynnvivian
ORIEL Y PARC
Located in the smallest city in Britain, this unique collaboration between National Museum Wales and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park displays work from the national collection that aims to celebrate its surrounding landscape. The gallery takes pride in featuring local artists, as well as renowned Welsh artists. Featuring family activities and workshops, you can even see their artist in residence at work in the studio.
High Street, St. Davids. Info: 014 3772 0392 / www.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk
ART MATTERS
Situated in the beautiful seaside town Tenby, this gallery is worth making a day trip for. Displaying a wide selection of paintings, ceramics and woodcuts – many of the current artists hold national and international reputations, and have had work shown in London galleries and Royal Academy summer exhibitions. With a range of modern and landscaped based imagery, the gallery also features many local artists.
White Lion Street, Tenby. Info: 018 3484 3375 / www.artmatters.org.uk
FOUNTAIN FINE ART
Founded in 1989, Fountain Fine Art has earned a name for holding some of the finest work from some of Wales’ most respected artists. Specialising in contemporary Welsh paintings and sculptures, works by leading 20th century icons include David Hockney, John Piper, Henri Matisse, Keith Bowen and Michael de Bono. The gallery is fused together with a collection of furniture and antiques.
Rhosmaen Street, Llandeilo. Info: 015 5882 4244 / www.fountainfineart.com
ABERYSTWYTH ARTS CENTRE
As one of the largest art centres in Wales, the centre welcomes over 750,000 visitors a year. The main exhibition space displays mostly contemporary art – paintings, sculptures, installations and new media art. The second gallery focuses on print and photography. Previous exhibitions have included the British Wildlife Photography Awards as well as artists such as Dave Ball, Anna Noël, Anne Gibbs and James Morris.
Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth. Info: 019 7062 3232 / www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk
ORIEL MIMOSA
Oriel Mimosa has the only painting of the Mimosa clipper ship, the ship that sailed from Liverpool to Patagonia in 1865 carrying the first Welsh emigrants to South America, in existence. The gallery also holds work dedicated to original works of art by Welsh and Wales-based artists, as well as featuring many well-known names and local talents.
Market Street, Llandeilo. Info: 015 5882 2215 / www.orielmimosa.com
BAYART GALLERY
As a newer addition to the increasingly expanding art scene in Cardiff, BayArt Gallery is a modern and popular space located in the centre of Cardiff Bay. The artist renowned and led gallery aims to support fine art practice by offering a platform to mid-career artists. A range of workshops that complement their confidence of their role in this rapidly increasing cultural dynamic are available.
Bute Street, Cardiff. Info: 029 2065 0016 / www.bayart.org.uk
ORIEL MWLDAN
Oriel Mwldan is a high standard contemporary exhibition space situated on the west coast of Wales in Cardigan. The gallery is set with partners Oriel Davies Gallery, who have a highly successful gallery in Newtown. With aims to strengthen the infrastructure of the visual arts in West Wales, the gallery focuses on a challenging program that benefits local artists, community groups and local schools. The gallery currently holds around seven exhibitions a year.
Bath House Road, Cardigan. Info: 012 39621200 / www.mwldan.co.uk
IAP FINE ART
Based in central London for over 20 years, IAP Fine Art moved a few months ago to the scenic town of Monmouth in the beautiful Wye Valley. A contemporary fine art gallery, IAP represents and exhibits the work of Chris Gollon, who sadly recently passed away, and Maggi Hambling, while also holding work by Peter Howson, Henri Matisse and Graham Sutherland. A relative newcomer to the Welsh arts scene, IAP Fine Art has already offered impressive exhibitions and are definitly one to watch in future.
Church Street, Monmouth. Info: 016 0077 2005 / www.iapfineart.com
BOUNDARY ART
Having opened in 2015, Boundary Art aims to promote exchange and communication between East and West, with a philosophy that there aren’t any boundaries between the two cultures, just differences. Introducing key elements of Chinese culture to Welsh audiences, including ink painting, calligraphy and tea ceremonies, Boundary Art also create opportunities for Chinese audiences to discover Western modern art. Boundary Art is a perfect place to while away an afternoon in the Bay, discovering new cultures and pondering what unites us as humans while sipping on delicious Chinese teas.
Havannah Street, Cardiff. Info: 029 2048 9869 / www.boundaryart.com
ELYSIUM GALLERY
Providing studio and gallery space for creatives, including fine artists, photographers, illustrators, designers, and writers, Elysium is central to Swansea’s art scene. It also runs offsite exhibitions and events, both in Swansea and around the world, seeking to collaborate with the international and local artistic communities. With a focus on innovation, collaboration and experimentation, Elysium Gallery is both a fantastic spot to marvel at their constantly daring exhibitions, but also to find your feet as an artist and get started on your journey.
College Street, Swansea. Info: www.elysiumgallery.com
CHAPTER
A former school, Chapter has been an invaluable hub for the arts in Cardiff for over 40 years. Hosting everything from touring artistic exhibitions to avant-garde performance art, Chapter consistently exhibits thought-provoking and sometimes challenging works, while also acting as a community centre not just for the city’s artistic community, but for all those passionate about any creative medium, be it comedy, cinema, or writing.
Market Road, Cardiff. Info: 029 2030 4400 / www.chapter.org
CRAFT IN THE BAY
The home of the Makers Guild in Wales, Craft in the Bay exhibits craft and applied art from both up-and-coming and established artists in Wales and abroad. The Makers Guild in Wales constantly strive to promote visual arts and crafts in Wales through their frankly often jaw-dropping exhibitions and eye-opening workshops. With the opening of Chapter’s café Caffi Sïo next door, this area has become an island of culture and discovery that’s perfect for a date or a chilled day out.
Lloyd George Avenue, Cardiff. Info: 029 2048 4611 / www.makersguildinwales.org.uk