Past Events

A talk by Dr Bleddyn Huws
Carneddog in his locality

6 November 2024
Almost 80 years have passed since Carneddog and his wife Catrin left their old home in Snowdonia at the end of the Second World War and moved to live with their son in the Midlands of England. The camera lens of Geoff Charles, photographer for Y Cymro, captured the sadness of that migration.

This is an opportunity to know more about the background of the history and to consider the significance of Carneddog’s contribution to the life of his locality and his nation.

Listening Intently
Plas Brondanw Gardens

27 October 2024: 10am - 4pm

A new listening project by Siri Wigdel (dance) with collaborators Mei Tomos (sound), Ellie Davies (music and movement) and Eirian Muse (Willow weaver and craft maker). Made possible with Seed Funding from Gwynedd Creadigol.

Album Launch

’ti’n gweld yn glir¿’

25 October 2024: 7pm

Come and hear skylrk's first album performed live for the first time with support from

Tai Haf Heb Drigolyn and poetry to open the evening.

An opportunity to experience, hear and explore the world of ’ti’n gweld yn glir¿’

Lino Print Workshop with Ann Lewis
Gardens and Flowers in Linocut
24 September 2024
Ann Lewis PRCA will take you step-by-step from your sketches or photographs of Plas Brondanw Garden or flowers within the garden to finished single colour linocut, using her own work to explain and demonstrate the process of linocutting.

You can interpret the subject in its broadest sense – a view within Plas Brondanw Garden, a pattern/design of flowers, a realistic/botanical image, a flower or several flowers in a vase are just some ideas you might want to consider.

In the first half of the day, you'll learn how to 'reduce' your sketch or photograph into a simple, yet effective single colour image, then you'll transfer your drawing to your lino block before learning how to safely use your linocutting tools. The second part of the day will be spent cutting your block, then proofing your image, before printing a small edition of original prints.

Steph Renshaw in Conversation

08 September 2024
You are invited to hear the artist speak about ‘submerge’ – an exhibition created especially for Oriel Brondanw, partly inspired by the underwater work of Susan Williams-Ellis, and a deep apprectiation for the diversity and beauty of aquatic life.

Plas Brondanw Experiences Curator and long standing friend of the artist Seran Dolma will be leading the discussion, which will encompass the artists background, inspiration and printmaking techniques.

This is a free event, there is no need to book, but donations are always welcome

Website

Drypoint Print Making Workshop with Steph Renshaw

14 August 2024
Find out what drypoint printing is all about. This process is similar to etching but without any chemical processes. It's all about the beauty of mark-making and creates wonderfully atmospheric results. You'll be amazed at the results you'll be able to achieve.

Tutor Steph Renshaw will guide you through the process of making the printing plate, inking it up and printing using a press. You'll be able to take home several prints by the end of the workshop.

No experience is necessary, all abilities are very welcome!

Website

Collagraph Print Making Workshop with Steph Renshaw

14 August 2024
This fabulous printmaking technique is all about colour and texture. No drawing skills are necessary to make gorgeous, tactile prints. This process creates immediate, bright, colourful results. You'll have a lovely collection of prints to take away by the end of the workshop.

No previous experience is necessary, just come and have a play! This is a really experimental print process and tutor Steph Renshaw will guide you through each step and show you ways to explore different inking techniques.

This process creates immediate, bright, colourful results. You'll have a lovely collection of prints to take away by the end of the workshop.

Website

Artist’s Talk with Flora McLachlan
'Just Follow the Breadcrumbs Through the Dark Forest'

17 July 2024
Flora is a printmaker, her imagery springs out of her sense of the mythical and archetypal elements of landscape, as found in the storytelling tradition. She is fascinated by how the residue of our childhood reading affects our emotional connection with the observed landscape.

“I enjoy working with unexpected traces, observing and responding to them, to dream my images into being. Through the alchemical portals of etching or lithography, I can enter different magical worlds and make my work in those fairytale atmospheres.”

The Brondanw Family and their Neighbours
A talk by Nia Powell

10 July 2024
A talk by Nia Powell, lecturer in Welsh history, on the Brondanw family and other local familes of Llanfrothen and the area before the middle of the nineteenth century. This talk will be through the medium of Welsh.

Walk & Talk Pantomime
Behind the Mask

07 July 2024
A guided tour of Wanda and David Garner’s exhibition ‘Pantomime: Behind the Mask’ in the company of the artists.

Artist’s Talk with Penny Hallas
'Seeing Through Landscape'

19 June 2024
"I would describe myself as an inter-media artist. Whilst drawing is at the heart of my practice, I use video, projection, photography, sound, painting and sculptural elements, often in the form of found objects. I regularly participate in collaborative performance with poets, dancers, musicians, artists - in art spaces and in the landscape.

Whatever the media, my work revolves around a fascination with internal states of being: alive to the promptings of chance, fantasy and emotion, it seeks out correspondences between the material world and the hidden crannies of the psyche.

This talk is part of the Hafod residency series, in collaboration with Noelle Griffiths. These talks are free to attend, and there is no need to book.

Penny Hallas will also offer a workshop 'Seeing through Landscape: make a myriorama' on the 30 June 3-5pm at Oriel Caffi Croesor.

Circo Arts Live Performance Drawing Workshop with Wanda Garner

8 June 2024
Join artist Wanda Garner for a dynamic afternoon of drawing bodies in motion!

Performers from Circo Arts community circus will be acting as models for this workshop, performing a sequence of movements choreographed specially so that the pose can be held and repeated several times, whilst you attempt to capture the gesture in spontaneous, quick drawings. Whilst undoubtedly a challenging exercise, this kind of practice is great fun and can result in wonderful, gestural drawings (or if not, it’s very good practice anyway!) This workshop is likely to appeal to people who have some experience of drawing from life, but anyone who fancies having a go is very welcome. Wanda who is an experienced teacher will be giving some pointers and encouraging you to try new approaches. Bring your own portable sketch books and pencils/ graphite/ charcoal and be prepared to have fun!

Drawing Workshop at Portmeirion with Ruth Koffer

6 June 2024
Allow visual storyteller, Ruth Koffer to support you to draw around Portmeirion. Ruth will offer exercises and suggestions for freeing up confidence and working with your inner critic. Focus will be on developing freedom of expression over accuracy of drawings. Suitable for all artistic abilities and all age groups. Children and teens welcome if accompanied by an adult. Ruth Koffer will be exhibiting her work inspired by Portmeirion with us in Brondanw in October. You can see more about her work and her teaching methods here: https://ruthkoffer.com

Mr Pollock comes to Plas
Lecture Evening & Toy Theatre Performance

1 June 2024
We are delighted to invite you to enjoy an evening in the company of Alan Powers and David Powell of Pollocks Toy Museum in London, invited to Plas Brondanw to coincide with Wanda and David Garner’s exhibition, which is on the theme of pantomime, performance and identity.

The evening will open with two lectures, ‘Secrets of the Victorian Pantomime’ by David Powell, and ‘Toy Theatre Revived: from Diaghilev to Dirk Bogarde and beyond’ by Alan Powers. This will be followed by a short interval for refreshments, and the second half of the evening will consist of a toy theatre performance of Jack the Giant Killer (complete version) published by J. K. Green in 1854 and reissued by Benjamin Pollock, based on an original production at the Royal Olympic Theatre, 1843.

David and Alan will also be leading a children’s workshop making toy theatres on the same day and will be offering an abridged version of Jack the Giant Killer at 12:00 in the afternoon for families with children.

Family Workshop
Stop-Motion Animation with Lucy Donald

30 May 2024
In this workshop you will make your own imaginative sea creature/monster puppet, inspired by the underwater paintings of Susan Williams Ellis. You will then bring your sea monster to life in a short animation, using your phone.

Stories will develop as characters move across the screen and meet each other, and when sound effects are added.

This workshop is suitable for children of all ages and their parents or guardians, but younger children will need more help and support with some aspects of the workshop. Every family will need a smartphone to work on, download the free “Stop motion studio” app before coming to the workshop.

You can see an example of an animation Lucy Donald has created with this technique here: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ajmXI9Jg6TA

Artist’s Talk with Lucy Donald
'Mokuhanga Inspired Woodcuts based on Welsh Pottery with a Welsh Pop Culture Twist'
This talk is part of the Hafod residency series, in collaboration with Noelle Griffiths.

29 May 2024
"I am a painter, printmaker, sculptor and teacher. I am a free-lance Education Co-ordinator at Elysium Gallery and also work with other venues in Swansea providing art workshops for all ages and abilities.

I have used Cambrian, Llanelli and Nantgarw pottery as a starting point for series of watercolours and woodcuts. This work examines the fashion of Chinoiserie and appropriation of designs from other cultures to create fantasy lands depicted on domestic ware. During my Hafod Studio residency I plan to make work based on Portmeirion pottery".

Artist’s Talk with Chris Bird-Jones
'Through Glass'

This talk is part of the Hafod residency series, in collaboration with Noelle Griffiths. These talks are free to attend, and there is no need to book

15 May 2024
I am intrigued by the way light plays with our perception of everything we encounter and the transience of these moments.

Recent work focuses on the universal spoon form, our interaction and relationship with it and the responses the form evokes. Working with the phenomenal nuances of refracted light and shadow, I enjoy movement - particularly natural cyclical bright or subtle light flitting across a surface. Glass is my medium of choice."

Eckphrastic Poetry Evening

2 May 2024
Our resident poets, Suzanne Iuppa and Aled Jones Williams will read from the work they have created during their time here with the open exhibition, and there will be an opportunity for people who have attended the workshops (or people who have written poems for the work from their own head and past) also read their work if they wish.

Social Dreaming Workshop with Phil Luffman

30 April 2024
Phil Luffman, one of Oriel Plas Brondanw’s current exhibiting artists who is responsible for the two ‘stuffed shirts’ installations in the Open Exhibition, will be facilitating a Social Dreaming group within the creative surroundings of the exhibition. He is a member of a long established Social Dreaming group were free association can promote imaginative thinking and creative action. An explanation of the process will be given at the beginning of the workshop. (Please see the description below)

Poetry Workshop with Aled Jones Williams

23 April 2024
Aled Jones-Williams is one of our resident poets for the Open Exhibition on the theme of Transformation. Aled is a leading writer and well-known playwright, who won the Tyddewi eisteddfod crown in 2002, but he is not a conventional poet. He has a wealth of experience in leading creative writing workshops, and it is a great pleasure for us to be working with him on this exciting project. Aled will lead this workshop responding to works of art in the exhibition, setting a number of tasks to encourage you to formulate your own poetic responses to works of art in the gallery. Experienced poets as well as complete beginners are welcome. This workshop will be through the medium of Welsh.

Artist’s Talk with Andrew Hladky
'Image as Organism'

17 April 2024
"I am a British/American artist who grew up in England, before moving to the USA in 2015. My work is deeply bound up with ideas of nostalgia, and how a nostalgic connection to the landscape can contribute to the ways we view ourselves.

I make sculptural paintings using oil paint and sharpened bamboo sticks. The sculptural forms that result grow out into a very uneven surface, ranging from the bare panel to 10” or more in depth. They resemble burnt trees or ruined habitations, as well as the constructions of insect or animal life, such as webs, nests and burrows."

This talk is part of the Hafod residency series, in collaboration with Noelle Griffiths. These talks are free to attend, and there is no need to book.

Andrew Hladky will also be offering a Workshop - 'Sculptural Paintings/Paint Sculptures' on the 21 April 3-5pm at Oriel Caffi Croesor.

Poetry Workshop with Suzanne Iuppa

09 April 2024
Suzanne Iuppa is one of our poets in residence for the Open Exhibition on the theme of Transformation.

She is a poet and conservationist living in the Dyfi Valley, and the poems she will write with us this spring will feature in her first full poetry collection.

Suzanne has over ten years' experience of teaching creative writing in community settings, and this session will be equally enjoyable if you are already writing or you haven't tried poetry before. There will be a variety of prompts, time to spend with the art, and a chance to share your work in a thoughtful environment.

Film and Poetry Evening with Jennifer Leach
'Life Cycles, Time and Acceptance'

27 March 2024
Jennifer will show her recent film 'The River' and share her poetry and writings. The evening will close with a sharing of original poetry, so please bring along your work. Shorter poems will allow for more contributions. Jennifer Leach works through the medium of English, but you are welcome to share poems in any language.

The River : This is the central film of a 3-screen 30 minute film; a life story written for my dear friend Anne Latto, a storyteller and actor. Using the age-old metaphor of life as river, it is the reflection of an old woman looking back on her life, as she turns to face the great horizon. She follows the flow of memories, from source to sea. Good times, hard times, times to remember, times to forget... the film is an homage to life, friendship, spirit and memory.

This event is part of the Hafod residency series, in collaboration with Noelle Griffiths.

Artist’s Talk with Jennifer Leach 'The River - art and life'
20 March 2024
Jennifer Leach is a Visual artist, poet, writer, storyteller, filmmaker, changemaker and Director of Outrider Anthems.

Outrider Anthems' vision is to emotionally engage communities through story and creativity in contemporary conversations about our relationship to Earth, Universe, societies and ourselves. We desire to invent and invest in new stories that generate challenge and balance.

This talk is part of the Hafod residency series, in collaboration with Noelle Griffiths. These talks are free to attend, and there is no need to book.

Life Drawing Sessions with Jane Muir
23/01/2024 - 12/02/2024 - 11/03/2024

We are pleased to be able to offer three all day life drawing sessions, in collaboration with Adult Learning Wales (ALW). These courses are funded by ALW, but we will be charging £20 per session to pay the model, this will be paid on the day of the session.

Tony Russell – Talk
The Gardens of Clough Williams-Ellis (Plas Brondanw and Portmeirion)
28 February 2024

Writer, broadcaster and author of ‘The Great Gardens of Wales’ Tony Russell will present an illustrated talk on the gardens of Clough Williams-Ellis here at Plas Brondanw and at Portmeirion. Clough was best known as an architect, but he was also very interested in issues around landscape and planning. Gardens were central to his ideas about how buildings relate to their site, and how the site relates to the wider landscape. Many consider the gardens at Brondanw to be among his finest work.

An Introduction to Welsh Poetry with Rhys Jones
Six sessions, starting 30 January 2024

This course is an introduction to Welsh poetry.

Its intention is to give an insight into the diversity and richness of the Welsh poetic tradition. We will read Taliesin's poems from the sixth century, up to T. Gwynn Jones at the beginning of the twentieth.

The focus is on reading one poem weekly, and there will be an opportunity to develop an understanding of the historical, social and literary context. There will also be an opportunity to look at the craft of the poets and some of the literary techniques they use. In addition, with support in class, you will cultivate the skills to formulate a personal response to these works.

The ability to speak and read Welsh is essential.

Plas Party
29 December 2023
You are invited to celebrate the holidays at Plas Brondanw, with music by Twm Morys and Gwyneth Glyn, and a chance to socialize and enjoy the warmth of the Plas at the end of the year. We are very grateful to the Clough Williams-Ellis Foundation for their generous contribution to the costs of hosting the party, which is free to attend. Everyone is welcome, whether you are an old friend or have never crossed the threshold before.

We will be providing some drinks and light refreshments, but if you could bring something to share, we would be very grateful. If you would like to bring an instrument to jam after the official musicians have finished their set, that would be lovely. We now have a piano in the library, which is also available for playing.

In the Time of the Holly King
Seasonal Workshop for Families
2 December 2023

To coincide with the storytelling event which takes place later in the afternoon, here is an opportunity to make your own wintery crown or table decoration using natural materials and traditional plants. Plas Brondanw staff will lead this session, and all materials will be provided.

Seasonal Story - Claire Mace
2 December 2023

In the time of the Holly King: join storyteller Claire Mace for some seasonal stories from across Wales. Learn about the Mari Lwyd, Hunting the Wren and the Gower Wassail. The story will be told through the medium of Welsh, and bilingual families and those learning the language are very welcome to attend.

Dr Bleddyn Huws
'Two poets and two cousins, Wil Oerddwr and T. H. Parry-Williams'
8 November 2023

Dr Bleddyn Huws is a senior lecturer in the department of Welsh and Celtic Studies at Aberystwyth University. He will offer a look at the work and relationship of the two famous poets, including a new discovery about a sonnet that was thought to be by Parry-Williams, but can now be attributed to Wil Oerddwr. This talk will be in the Welsh language, but higher level learners are very welcome.

Harvest Supper and Talk about the Croesor Valley
with Christine Mills, Siw Thomas and Ken Brassil
28 October 2023
As a celebration of the exhibition 'Sifting and Combing' by Siw Thomas and Christine Mills, the artists would like to invite you to a harvest supper. The supper will include a substantial stew, local cheeses and a dessert which will be served on ceramics created by Siw Thomas during her residency at Plas Brondanw. Archaeologist Ken Brassil will present a talk about the geology, history, people and culture of the Croesor Valley.

Proceeds to Plas Brondanw children's art workshops and to the Mountain Rescue Team.

The Poetry of the Princes
The Princes' Bards - Tutor: Rhys Jones

24 October 2023
Adult Education Wales in partnership with Plas Brondanw are offering this half day course free of charge.

The purpose of the course is to introduce the poets of the princes, and the hope is to make the poems easy to understand for a contemporary audience.

'Beirdd y Tywysogion' is the general name given to the poets who existed in Wales between around 1050 and 1300. They were a central part of the world of the Welsh princes, and a good number of the poems have been preserved to this day. As well as having an introduction to the historical, social and literary background of the poets, you will also have the experience of reading the work of some of them. The poetry of the princes gives us a unique insight into the life and thinking of the period, from individuals who were eyewitnesses to these exciting years.

History of the Princes
Tutor: James Berry

23 October 2023
6SW A short 2 hour course that hopes to reveal exactly who the Princes were. To look at them in light of modern research. The course hopes to show that rather than being isolated they were very much part of a Europe wide aristocratic military elite, trying to build strong feudal kingdoms on a European model.

Concert
Gwilym Morus and Osian Rhys

13 October 2023
We would like to invite you to an evening of music in the library at Plas Brondanw, with Gwilym Morus and another artist (to be confirmed). This will be an intimate evening with a small audience.

Gwilym Morus plays modern folk music using digital effects mixed with voice and guitar. His style has been described as 'passionate, dreamy and original'. Osian Rhys is a musician originally from Llanystumdwy, who performs folk songs under his own name, and as the lead singer of the alternative rock band, Gwaed.

He will perform a variety of songs in a stripped back style on an acoustic guitar.

Artists Talk, Exhibition Launch and Tea Party
with Siw Thomas and Christine Mills

23 September 2023
Come and enjoy afternoon tea at Plas Brondanw in the company of two artists who have been creating work in the house and gardens over the summer. There will be a question and answer session discussing the residency period and the work that has come out of it with Sian Elen and Seran Dolma, and tea and cake will be served on some of the crockery that Siw Thomas has created. There will be time afterwards to look at the exhibition.

Adult Learning Wales Summer School
21 August 2023
Art - History - Creative writing

Artist Talk
Manon Awst and Dr Sarah Pogoda

19 August 2023
An artist talk between Manon Awst and the academic and Avant Garde practitioner Dr Sarah Pogoda discussing the process of creating work for the exhibition ‘Wetland Dreams’ and the ideas that have developed as a result of the research work on bogs. The talk will be bilingual, in Welsh and English, and possibly also some German!

Children’s Workshops with Artists in Residence
Siw Thomas and Christine Mills
Firing and Felting

13 August 2023
An opportunity for children to have a go at felting with Christine Mills.

The clay pieces made during the previous workshop will also be fired during this workshop, and they will be available to take home the following week. Children are welcome to attend either one or both of these workshops.

Children’s Workshops with Artists in Residence
Siw Thomas and Christine Mills
Clay

4 August 2023
A chance for the children to have a go at some clay modelling. The clay pieces will be fired during the following workshop on the 13th August, but there is no requirement to attend both workshops.

Adult Workshops
Charcoal Drawing with Christine Mills

7 July 2023
This workshop will be outdoors if the weather is dry, and in the house if not. There will be a coffee break and a chance to discuss the work.

No experience is necessary. Materials will be provided but you are welcome to bring paper and charcoal if you have them.

Adult Workshops
Life Modelling in Clay with Siw Thomas

7 July 2023
An opportunity to experiment with depicting the human form in 3D, working from a live model. There will be a discussion at the start about figurative sculpture, please bring an image of a relief or a sculpture of a human form to talk about.

No experience is necessary. All materials will be provided.

Introduction to Alexander Technique
with Pippa Bondy

3 July 2023
The Alexander Technique is the art of "unlearning". It is a subtle method of releasing body and mind from old habits and attitudes. Improve your whole well-being and learn to manage and prevent tension, stress and pain. The technique helps you rediscover a more natural way of moving, enhances awareness and encourages a new sense of coordination, energy and freedom. It is widely taught as part of performing arts training courses, but is very beneficial to everybody.

Pippa Bondy MSTAT, has more than thirty years experience as an Alexander Technique teacher. For more information -pipbondy.com

Talk by Johnathan Powell

Part of the Hafod artist-in-residence series

7 June 2023

‘Memory into Landscape’

Talk by Olga Lamas

Part of the Hafod artist-in-residence series

17 May 2023

’Nature / Culture’

Talk by Carys Wilson

Part of the Hafod artist-in-residence series

5 April 2023

'Walking and Thinking, Thinking and Walking'

Talk by Andrew Morrison

Part of the Hafod artist-in-residence series

15 March 2023
Text as image - word-based artists' books and prints.