Over 40 people of all ages and backgrounds attended the Market Street Chapel on April 26th to discuss the future of the arts in Abergavenny and the surrounding area.
The meeting was arranged after the 5 Year Planning work for Abergavenny and District had highlighted that the opportunity to make more of the Arts is seen as a priority by many, including a broad cross-section of community groups, councillors and the wider public (The Arts in this sense is a broad term which includes the visual arts – painting, sculpture, photography, digital media, printmaking, drawing, craft, textiles, etc; the performing arts – music, dance, theatre and opera; creative writing; public art; well-being through art;…the list goes on.)
After quick introductions, everyone shared their ideas around the four main topics of the evening: Working towards an Arts Festival, Keeping in touch Arts Hub – virtual or physical, Pop up Gallery/Shop and Public Art & Wellbeing the notes from which accumulated to over 200 ideas and actions!
There was a lot of great energy especially in relation to the information hubs and the Arts Festival. The other subjects also generated quite a lot of interest and will not be dismissed but instead considered in the context of the overall Art Festival concept.
The next meeting will be at 7pm Wednesday 24th May at the Abergavenny Community Centre to discuss/agree some of the next steps in moving towards the Arts Festival and consolidating the hub/communication networks.
The group now intends to build on the momentum that everyone created and continue to enjoy the process together as well. So, if you are interested in Arts in the local area, join the mailing list by contacting artsabergavenny@gmail.com
Would you be able to come along to chat some of the ideas through and work together to make them happen? The next meeting will be 7pm Wednesday 24th May Abergavenny Community Centre with a focus on next steps in moving towards the Arts Festival and consolidating the Arts Abergavenny hub/communication networks.
If you’re coming along please message artsabergavenny@gmail.com to make sure there’s enough coffee to go around and join the ‘Arts Abergavenny’ facebook group.
