The National Library of Wales at Glan-yr-afon, Haverfordwest
15.11.18
The National Library of Wales is pleased to announce the start of an exciting new relationship with Pembrokeshire County Council.
From December 2018 onwards items from the National Library’s internationally significant and iconic collections, including original manuscripts, maps, archives, films, printed works and works of art will be on display in a brand new state of the art gallery at Glan-yr-afon, Haverfordwest.
The gallery forms an integral part of a high quality culture and arts centre which will also comprise a 21st Century County Library and a Visitor Information service centre situated in the heart of Haverfordwest town Centre.
Working in collaboration with Pembrokeshire County Council, the National Library will empower and encourage people to participate in activities involving the arts, culture and heritage of Wales with a series of free events and education workshops delivered to complement its programme of exciting exhibitions at Glan-yr-afon.
Linda Tomos, Chief Executive and Librarian at The National Library of Wales said:
“We are delighted to be a part of this exciting new project in collaboration with Pembrokeshire County Council. Extending and improving access to our vast reservoir of cultural heritage, increasing public engagement and tackling social inequalities through culture and sharing of information are all recognised priorities in our The Nation's Memory: Informing the Future: Strategic Plan 2017-2021. We look forward to sharing our collections with the people of Pembrokeshire and beyond”
The gallery will host a programme of thematic six month exhibitions that display The National Library’s iconic collections, and a permanent exhibition on the history, culture, arts and legends of Pembrokeshire.
The first collection to be exhibited at the Gallery will be Kyffin Williams: Land and Sea.
Mike Cavanagh, Pembrokeshire County Council said:
"I am very pleased to see the National Library celebrating our artistic culture by organizing this excellent exhibition of the work of Sir Kyffin Williams. He presented his paintings to the National Library as a gift to the nation, to enjoy forever. I am grateful to the Library for giving the public the opportunity to see this wonderful collection.
We estimate 200,000 visitors per year to the new Centre and 50,000 visits to the gallery.
In addition to the gallery and public library service, the Centre will also act as a key Gateway service to Pembrokeshire, located strategically in the heart of the county, providing visitor information to some of the 4.3 million tourists that visit the county each year.”
To coincide with the exhibition, various events have been organised which include:
Monday 11 February 2019 at 1.00pm
Sir Kyffin Williams in the National Collection – talk by Lona Mason (Head of Graphic, Screen and Sound) and Morfudd Bevan (Art Curator)
Friday 1 March 2019 at 1.00pm
Play on words: a workshop with Ceri Wyn Jones
A taster session exploring the fun involved in creating ideas, lines and verses, suitable for children aged 7-11.
Monday 15 April 2019 at 1.00pm
Gofalu am ein Casgliadau / Caring for our Collections – workshop by Iwan Bryn James (Head of Conservation)
Schools and further education sectors will be able to make the best use of this fantastic new resource to improve learning, and the centre has also a crucial role in contributing to the economic regeneration of Haverfordwest.
Glan-yr-afon will also have a coffee shop and a children’s play and learning space and will be open Monday to Saturday (10am-5pm), except Tuesdays (10am-7pm).
The new facility has received funding from:
- Pembrokeshire County Council
- Welsh Government
- The Wolfson Foundation
- The Foyle Foundation
- Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority
- Haverfordwest Town Council
Further Information
Elin-Hâf 01970 632471 or post@llgc.org.uk
Exhibitions
The Story of Pembrokeshire
Until 11.05.19
In the southwest corner of Wales, there is a land of rugged mountains and dramatic coastlines bordered on three sides by sea. This is Pembrokeshire, the land of castles and cromlechs. In this exhibition the magical legends, colourful history and spectacular landscape of Pembrokeshire is brought alive through the diverse and unique collections of The National Library of Wales.
Kyffin Williams: Land and Sea
Until 11.05.19
An exhibition commemorating the centenary of one of the most famous figures within Welsh art – Sir Kyffin Williams. Inspired by Wales’ landscape throughout his life, this exhibition is a rare opportunity to view some of the artists’ most iconic landscapes and seascapes alongside treasures from the archive.