Arts Activities

Artistic Crockery is a smash hit!

Painter Ann Townson and ceramic sculptor Mel Palmer-Forse reveal witty feminist perspectives on domestic crockery in their current exhibition, called "In House", celebrating 100 years of International Women’s Day. The show is at the Travellers Gallery at Broad Street Station in Barry until Thursday 7th April, open mornings only, Mondays to Fridays.

"I love the decorative elements of Persian and Japanese ceramics," says Ann Townson. "When I paint the pots distorted or broken they can express flights of fancy or feelings of alienation." Two glass cabinets of imaginative ceramic sculptures by Mel Palmer-Forse add to the lively surrealist mood of the whole exhibition. The show is also called "In House" because both artists are members of VOGA (Vale of Glamorgan Artists) and volunteer their time and professional expertise in partnership with Mind in the Vale to help run the gallery which is located in the Travellers in Mind Café, a work experience setting for people recovering from mental health problems. For more information contact Mind in the Vale (Registered Charity no. 1066411) on 01446 730792, or visit www.mindinthevale.org.uk and www.voga.org.uk.

Class Act at Travelers Gallery

An exhibition held in Barry Station until 3rd September. Jane Hutt, who officially opened the exhibition, congratulated all the participants, including art tutor Steve Miller, who has encouraged his students to exhibit their work, most of the time for the first time.

"This exhibition has attracted work from all over the vale", commented Steve Miller, a Mind volunteer who helps to run the gallery in partnership with VOGA (Vale of Glamorgan Artists). The goodly crowd of friends and art lovers at the opening were also entertained by poetry and songs performed by Francis Page, Gethyn Clarke, Bryer Davis (vocals), Christopher Young and Clive Harris (guitars).

The exhibition will be open throughout the summer, Monday to Friday, mornings only. For more information, ring 01446 730792 or look at the websites www.mindinthevale.org.uk and www.voga.org.uk. If you require any further details on Steve Miller's art course, please contact Steve on 07837436622.

Poet praises painting and ceramics

The well-known poet Francis Page performed three poems to celebrate the work of Barry artists Steven Miller and Nicala Hellinger, whose first two-person exhibition was officially opened by Paul Baker, Chair of VOGA (Vale of Glamorgan Artists). The goodly crowd of friends and art lovers at the opening were also entertained by poetry and songs performed by Bryer Davis, Clive Harris (on guitar) and Gethyn Clarke.

In their art, both Steven Millar and Nicalar Hellinger celebrates the power and beauty of the waters of Wales. Steve Miller wants his paintings to show the beauty of our natural environment, with its cascading waterfalls, lagoons, tidal systems and standing water. Nicala Hellinger adds that her ceramics are meant to represent the strength and force, and also the fun and joy of water in our lives. Steves colourful paintings and Nicalas richly textured ceramics will be on view at the Travellers Gallery, Barry Station, mornings, Monday to Friday, until 26th March.

The Travellers Cafe is run by Mind in the Vale of Glamorgan as a work experience setting for people recovering from mental health problems, and the gallery inside the cafe is run in partnership with VOGA.

Vale of Glamorgan Artists

Mind in the Vale has recently formed a partnership with VOGA to develope the gallery space in the Travellers cafe.

VOGA was started in 1997 by a small group of professional artists with the aim of promoting:

• The artists living and/or work in the Vale of Glamorgan.
• Exhibitions, open studios and learning opportunities.
• Greater awareness of the visual arts through increased contacts between artists, their work and the general public.

VOGA membership is restricted to those who live and/or work in the Vale or Glamorgan. Membership is granted through a majority vote on the standard of work submitted by a prospective new member. The current membership includes painters, sculptors, printmakers, photographers, cermancists and artists working in 3D and computer graphics.