Plas BrondanwSusan Williams-Ellis
Foundation (SWEF)
Foundation (SWEF)
post@susanwilliamsellis.org
01766 770590
post@susanwilliamsellis.org
01766 770590
We hold cultural and artistic activities at Plas Brondanw in order to promote the arts in the area, and to offer opportunities for people of all ages to socialize and express themselves creatively. We hold a program of talks, workshops, courses and events throughout the year. Keep an eye on these pages or on our accounts on social media to find out what is coming up.
For more details, or to reserve a place at an event contact us on 01766770590 or post@susanwilliamsellis.org. There is no need to reserve a place at exhibition openings, but places are limited for talks and workshops, so please reserve a place for these events, even when they are free to attend.
We have decided to set a theme each year, going forwards. Items from the Susan Williams-Ellis archive will be curated according to the theme for the year, and this will also be the theme for the open and young open exhibitions. We invite artists who wish to have solo or group shows to consider responding to the theme, if they feel inspired to do so, although this is not a requirement. Events will also be curated to respond to the theme, where appropriate. The themes are deliberately broad and may be interpreted in any way that the artist feels is appropriate. The themes for the next five years are outlined below:
2023: Airbourne
2024: Transformation
2025: Space
2026: Animal / Vegetable / Mineral
2027: Disturbance
2028: The Sea
Pint and Chat
First Thursday of every month
7-8pm
Come and practice your Welsh! While our local pub is closed (hopefully not for much longer), Plas Brondanw is pleased to welcome a group of Welsh learners to practice once a month, under the guidance of Osian Rhys from Menter Iaith Gwynedd. Email osian@menteriaithgwynedd.cymru for more information. Bring your own drink.
Brondanw Young Artists Club
First Saturday of the month.
Time: 10 - 11:30am
The club aims to give children the opportunity to try diferent materials, work with experienced artists and develop their own art practice.
The club is aimed at children aged 6 and above, older children and teenagers are very welcome, we will do our best to tailor the activities to suit the audience.
Life Drawing
Dates 2025: 10 January, 7 February, 7 March
Time: 6-8pm
A model, easels and drawing boards will be provided, but you will need to bring your own paper and drawing materials. There will be no tutor for these sessions, they are an opportunity for you to practice independently and support each other as artists.
Course: Early History of Wales 410-900 CE with James Berry
Starting: 16th January 2025 for 6 weeks
Time: 10 am– 12pm
A series of 6, two-hour accredited sessions which will look at the history of Wales from the evacuation of Britain by the Romans in 410 CE to the beginning of the Age of the Princes circa 900 CE
1: Wales in 410 CE. - 2: Legend and Myth who was Arthur?.
3: The Lost Lands. - 4: The Kingdoms.
5: Welsh Society. - 6: The Great and the Good.
Course: Welsh Language and Landscape with James Berry
Starting: 16th January 2025 for 6 weeks
Time: 1-3pm
This is a course designed to introduce people to the Welsh Landscape by studying the language used to describe it.
This is a course suitable for speakers and learners of Cymraeg and by its very nature will be bilingual in its delivery.
The level of that bilingual delivery will depend on the language skills of the learners.
Bob Owen Croesor
English Language Talk by Len Jones
12 February 2025: 7pm
Bob Owen was a 20th century Welsh character like no other, who achieved a great deal from very humble beginnings. He had no formal higher education, having left school at the age of thirteen, but became an unsurpassed collector of books. He was known as the finest genaeologist of his generation, specialising in Welsh family history and the history of Welsh settlers in America. A very popular and entertaining lecturer, he travelled far and wide to deliver talks to packed audiences. He was also a prodigious writer, with contributions to many newspapers and periodicals. His essays won prizes at the National Eisteddfod, and his letters are legendary for their wit. He received an hon. M.A. degree of the University of Wales (the youngest ever at the age of 47) and later the O.B.E. for his contribution to the history and literature of Wales. A colourful and marvellously fiery personality, he became a legendary character in his own lifetime.
Len Jones grew up in Croesor, and has developed a particular interest in Bob Owen since his retirement from a career in education. He has delivered this talk in Welsh twice at Plas Brondanw, and a number of times at other venues, such is the interest in Bob Owen’s legacy. He agreed to translate the talk into English for the benefit of the non-Welsh speaking community.