The Swansea Guild of Artists Ltd.

Press Release - full text SWANSEA CITY CENTRE GETS A MAKE OVER WITH A DIFFERENCE
Children will join local artists in Art Kitchen workshops to produce murals to brighten up vacant properties.
The six and seven-year-old pupils at Gorseinon Infants School and more experienced artists from the Swansea Guild of Artists will express their talents at the school at 1.30pm on Thursday, February 27.
The project is part of a wider initiative by the City Centre Partnership to improve the appearance of vacant properties within the city centre.
Felicity Workman, City Centre Manager, said, "This is a great idea providing everyone with the opportunity to take part.
"Participants in the project will not only have the chance to contribute to the creation of a large piece of community art, but also to see their work on display in the city centre."
Colourful murals have already been erected in High Street and St Davids Centre, while the former British Gas Showroom and Safeway Store, both in St. Davids Centre, will also be brightened by the new murals.
Laura Bishop, Development Worker for the Guild, said, "We are really pleased that the City Centre Partnership has asked us to take on this project, and we are very keen to develop the already positive relations that we have within the city centre.
"We hope that by continuing to work together that many further city centre arts-based projects are realised to the benefit of wider arts development within Swansea."
Mural workshops are also being held in communities throughout the area, including Dunvant Junior After School Club, Cyrenians at the Green Dragon Arts Centre, Townhill Youth Club, Terrace Road School, Mayhill Boys and Girls Club,
Gorseinon Infants and Bonymaen Youth Club.
For further information about the city centre mural project, please contact Lisa Wells, City Centre Projects Team Leader on Tel: - 01792 476370 or E-mail: - lisa.wells@swansea.gov.uk. Alternatively, please contact Laura Bishop, Development Worker, Swansea Guild of Artists, on 01792 298 960.


Press Release - full text
Brighter days for City Centre shoppers
Visitors to Swansea City Centre can look forward to a colourful new experience whilst shopping!
The City Centre Partnership with the Swansea Guild of Artists and Swansea Arts Forum, have unveiled vibrant new murals to brighten-up the former Safeway Store in St. David’s Centre.
The giant 70ft mural depicts the sweep of Swansea Bay and many of the key local landmarks. From Mumbles Pier through to Swansea docks you will see Langland Bay beach huts, Oystermouth Castle, Singleton Park and Clyne Gardens, Kilvey Hill, the Vetch and St. Helen’s Rugby Ground, Swansea Castle, the BT building - to name but a few.
Felicity Workman, City Centre Manager said, - "The mural is stunning feature which not only brightens the City Centre, but also provides an historic record of Swansea."
The murals have been produced during City Centre workshops, known as ‘Art Kitchens’ and community sessions held in Dunvant, Bonymaen, Gorseinon, Mayhill and Townhill.
Laura Bishop, Development Worker for the Guild of Artists said, - "This project has been lots of fun and hard work and the outcome has been fantastic. We have been able to work with groups throughout the city in designing and painting the mural giving local people a unique opportunity to express their artistic talents. We are all thrilled to see the mural on display for everyone to admire."
This project forms part of a wider initiative to brighten the City Centre and colourful murals have already been erected at 231- 232 High Street (next to the Bush Pub) and Unit 7 St. Davids Centre (formerly Exmoor Pine).
Richard Smith, Chair of the City Centre Partnership and General Manager of Swansea Marriot concludes, -"One of the priorities of the Swansea City Centre Partnership is to improve the environment within the City Centre. I am confident that this scheme will help us to meet this objective and assist in the process of making our City Centre a more attractive place."
ENDS
8th April 2003
For further information, please contact Public Relations on (01792) 636083 or email media@swansea.gov.uk