Arts & Crafts
There's something about the west of a country that attracts the inquisitive and
creative spirit. It happens in Ireland, Brittany, the USA - and Britain. South West
Wales has long been seen a sanctuary for potters and painters, seekers of inspiration
and a new way of life. The region's hamlets, villages, country and market towns
do not live by agriculture alone. They are a zestful mix of honest-to-goodness local
shops and trendy galleries, traditional values and a funky alternative culture -
if there's such a thing as 'cosmopolitan country' then places like Narberth, Solva,
The Mumbles and Llandeilo, with their chic shops and studios, certainly have it.
Travel on any back road
and you're guaranteed to come across a workshop or gallery where you're welcome
to meet the artist. They may be a jeweller or candlemaker, woodcarver or glassblower.
Whatever the art or craft, it will be rooted in its surroundings. Painters rave
about the quality of light and stimulating seascapes in Pembrokeshire and Gower.
Carmarthenshire, the 'Garden of Wales', is a bucolic tapestry that never fails to
inspire. And, firing the creative spirit in a different way, there are the dramatic
landscapes and proud heritage of the former industrial valleys of Afan and Neath.
It's all distilled at
galleries and workshops everywhere. Go to Tregwynt Woollen Mill near Fishguard for
fabulous Welsh tapestries made the traditional way, but with a fresh approach that
has captured a worldwide market. Swansea is a great place to shop for classic and
contemporary crafts - and don't miss the chance to call into the Glynn Vivian Gallery,
which has a priceless display of exquisite Swansea pottery. The West Wales Centre
for the Crafts at St Clears near Carmarthen is a purpose-built working environment
for a number of craftspeople and a showcase for quality visual arts. The area around
St Davids is another hotbed of creativity, with galleries tucked away on almost
every twist in the road.
Arts festivals are also thick on the ground. Swansea, Pembroke, Llandeilo, Narberth
and Tenby are just some of the places where the region's deep-rooted artistic spirit
flowers at performances, exhibitions and workshops.