SWANSEA’S Glynn Vivian Art Gallery is going on the road

SWANSEA, Wales - Feb. 18, 2014 - PRLog -- As part of the gallery’s research into its collection and the Richard Glynn Vivian bequest, staff are visiting community centres in the city’s Community First areas this year.

The gallery is supported by a £576,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to develop a learning and participation programme relating to the original Richard Glynn Vivian bequest.

The first roadshow is taking place on Wednesday February 26 from noon to 4pm at the Action Resource Centre in Portmead during half-term holidays.

Members of the gallery team will spend time talking about the gallery’s collection and are urging people to share their own collections with their communities too – whether it’s anything from toys,football memorabilia and vinyl records to stamps, cards and badges.

Debbie Jones, a Swansea Council Communities First Officer from Portmead, is starting off the roadshow by sharing her collection of Cherished Teddies.

Debbie said: “I think I have been collecting Cherished Teddies for about 15 years - my first piece was Sister Bear that my brother, Jeff, bought for me. I have about 90 of them now.”

Visitors will also get the chance to select work from the gallery's collection to be reproduced and put on display in their community centre. The reproductions will also appear in selected venues in the city centre.

Other activities in Portmead include art and craft workshops for children, digital photography sessions and an exhibition of the Spark Youth Group’s recent photography work.

Cllr Nick Bradley, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “The idea behind the Glynn Vivian Road Show is to go out to the community centres in Swansea, reach new audiences and engage people through art activities and the gallery’s collection.

“We want to break down the barriers for people who have never visited the art gallery, unlock the myths of what’s inside and give people the chance to tell us about their own collections.

“We’ve been working with staff and Community First Officers to programme an afternoon of free events specifically for people living in the Portmead community.

The Glynn Vivian Offsite programme will also be visiting other Swansea communities in the next 15 months, working with each to provide an afternoon of free art activities for everyone. Further road shows are planned for Bonymaen and Sandfields in August.

Have a look at www.glynnviviangallery.org or call 01792 516900 for more information.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. To arrange a photo opportunity with Debbie Jones, or for more information please contact

Laura Sims on 01792 516900 or email Laura.Sims@swansea.gov.uk

2. Glynn Vivian Art Gallery is part of the City and County of Swansea and is supported by a

grant from the Arts Council of Wales.