Regeneration inspires the next generation

15 August 2006

Young people in the Cefn Mawr area have had the opportunity to do something a bit different during their summer holiday this year thanks to fine art student Susan Mann.  Susan has just completed her first year on the BA (Hons) Fine Art degree at NEWI.  As an artist and a former junior school teacher she has been combining her art talent and research skills along with her teaching experience to put together a series of innovative workshops for local children to get involved in.

The events have been run in conjunction with Dee Valley Community Partnership as part of the on going regeneration projects in Cefn Mawr and as such the theme for the workshops has been based on the village, its history, people and landmarks.

Preparing the workshops involved a lot of background research for Susan, she said, “Putting the sessions together has involved a lot of hard work and research.  What I have done fits in with ongoing regeneration work in Cefn Mawr and has made the children think about where they live and appreciate some of the landmarks around them.  For example one of the workshops focused on real people who lived in the village.  Another focused on the ruin of the Winding House at the Wynnstay Colliery.  The children created night time images of the ruin and were encouraged to think about capturing atmosphere in their artwork.”

The workshops have covered a range of topics and involved exploring different ideas and techniques such as printing, collage and illustration.  The work will form part of Susan’s professional practice module for her degree course.  Susan sees her work as supporting regeneration in the area and building awareness amongst young people about projects like the Ebenezer Chapel restoration.  It is hoped that when the Chapel is opened Susan’s art work will be exhibited there alongside the work of the children who have participated in the art workshops over the summer.  Susan said, “The finished plans for the Chapel include exhibition space. It would be wonderful for the children if they could see their work exhibited!”