Vale of Glamorgan Council marks Holocaust Memorial Day
The Vale of Glamorgan Council is marking Holocaust Memorial Day 2026 with a programme of commemorative activity, including a powerful exhibition at Art Central Gallery, Barry, and purple lighting across prominent local landmarks.
Holocaust Memorial Day is an opportunity to remember the six million Jewish people murdered during the Holocaust, alongside the victims of subsequent genocides, and to reflect on the lessons these events hold for society today.
Art Central Gallery’s contribution this year is Vanishing Point, a mixed media installation by Penarth based artist Richard Bowers, which runs from Saturday 17 January until Saturday 28 February 2026.
The exhibition responds to this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day theme, “Bridging Generations”, which highlights the importance of passing on stories of persecution and survival so that future generations can learn from the past.
Through large-scale visual works, sculptural forms and sound, Vanishing Point explores themes of displacement, loss, exile and hope, encouraging visitors to reflect on the connections between past atrocities and the world we live in today. The installation draws inspiration from the words of philosopher George Santayana, reminding us that remembering history is essential to preventing its repetition.
To further mark Holocaust Memorial Day, the Council will also light a number of local landmarks in purple, the official colour of Holocaust Memorial Day. This symbolic gesture is intended to raise awareness, prompt reflection, and show solidarity with communities affected by genocide and persecution.
Rob Thomas, Chief Executive, said: “Holocaust Memorial Day is an important moment for reflection. Marking this day each year ensures that the lessons of the Holocaust and other genocides are not forgotten. Remembrance, education and understanding remain vital in building a more tolerant and compassionate society.”
Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, Cllr Lis Burnett, added: “We have a collective responsibility to remember the horrors of the Holocaust and to ensure that its history is passed on to future generations. By supporting events such as this exhibition and lighting our landmarks, we are reaffirming our commitment to education, remembrance and standing against hatred and discrimination in all its forms.”
Cllr Rhiannon Birch, Cabinet Member for Education, Arts and the Welsh Language, said:“It is especially meaningful to see a locally based artist contributing to this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day exhibition. Art has a unique power to help us understand difficult histories and their relevance today. We hope this exhibition will encourage reflection, conversation and learning across generations.”
Vanishing Point is the first exhibition of 2026 at Art Central Gallery and marks the beginning of the gallery’s 20th anniversary year. The exhibition is open to the public from Saturday 17 January to Saturday 28 February 2026.
For more information, visit: www.valeofglamorgancouncil/artcentral