Barry Town Hall showcases second exhibition - 16/02/07

 

The work of 27 women artists is featured in the second exhibition at the Barry Town Hall.

 

The artists are all members of the South East Wales-based Women's Arts Association and the exhibition, which opened last week, is set to run until March 31.

 

Entrance is free, and visitors can wander around the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s striking and inspiring gallery to view work which celebrates International Women’s Day (March 8).

 

The wide variety of work includes a mixture of contemporary and traditional pieces in both two and three dimensions – an eclectic mix of artwork in various mediums including oil, acrylic, ceramic, terracotta, digital, steel, bronze, charcoal, pastel and gouache.

 

Eileen Allan, Eve Hart and Melinae Forse are three acclaimed local artists who also displayed work in the inaugural exhibition. Melinae has now contributed artwork entitled "Emotional Storage." At first glance, it looks like a shiny handbag hung on a bedroom wall; closer inspection reveals it has actually been modelled from a bra – symbolising the Suffragette movement.

 

Other well known artists include Dianne Setch, from Penarth, who is exhibiting beautiful archival inkjet and pigment; Sue Roberts – larger than life size images of the human form, "Dream in Blue" and "Turning to Talk To You," and Gwyneth Price – a poignant work in papier mache using wood, shells and wire.

 

Vale Council arts development officer Tracey Harding said: "The artists really do offer something for everyone to appreciate and admire.”

 

Founded some 20 years ago, the Women’s Arts Association exists to increase opportunities for women in the arts and is one of the largest artist membership organisations in Wales, with over 1,000 members whose work covers visual arts, music, theatre, dance, film, crafts and new media.

 

The organisation runs community arts projects aimed at providing opportunities to women suffering disadvantage, and provides information and advice to anyone working towards equality in the arts in Wales.

 

The WAA has been celebrating International Women’s Day since its inception, using the annual event to promote Welsh women artists.

 

WAA chair Audrey Jones is especially pleased that 27 current members have grasped the chance to share their work with the people of the Vale and beyond. She said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity for women artists to exhibit in this splendid new gallery.”

 

Cabinet Member for Tourism and Leisure Cllr Gwyn John said: “The exhibition space is an architecturally stunning environment in which to view the mixture of mediums. The women’s work has been arranged on both the white walls and inside glass viewing cabinets to provide maximum pleasure for visitors and residents.”

 

The exhibition space in Barry Town Hall is open from Tuesday to Saturday (noon–5pm daily) and visitors may wish to collect a programme to remember their visit.

 

For more information on arts development in the Vale, or for further details on the Barry Town Hall exhibition space, contact Tracey Harding by email at TCHarding@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk or telephone (01446) 704714.