Local initiative brings together the arts community and helps students develop new creative techniques

“Rise Up at has given me the opportunity to engage with various techniques, cultures and people. Tŷ Celf artists have taught us these skills in a constructive and exhilarating way.  This experience also gave us the opportunity to make lots of social connections with other emerging artists from all ages and backgrounds.” Maya Martin, Art & Design student

Art and design students at Coleg Sir Gâr have taken part in an exhibition to showcase the work produced over a 10-week community arts project called Rise Up at Y Tŷ Celf - The Art House. 

Rise Up, is a Y Tŷ Celf funded, creative project aimed at local sixth form art students in Llanelli. 

Y Tŷ Celf is passionate about providing opportunities for young budding artists to explore new techniques and skills and work with local artists. 

This project is designed to enable A-level and BTEC students to ‘Rise Up’ and enhance their art portfolios in preparation for examinations and/or higher education. 

The project gave students the opportunity to work with 10 different artists bringing techniques they might not have experienced in school or college, whilst making connections with other art students from different schools and colleges. 

Y Tŷ Celf - The Art House, is a gallery and workshop space based in Llanelli and its aim is to bring art to the heart of the community, whilst supporting 10 freelance artists, primarily supported by Arts Council of Wales and other partners, providing a vast range of creative workshops to suit all abilities.

Y Tŷ Celf invited students from different education establishments to forge new social connections, share experiences and broaden their artistic outlook. 

In total, 12 students from Coleg Sir Gâr, Ysgol y Strade and St Michael’s School took full advantage of this programme. 

Sessions included lino printing, introduction to abstract art, painting with cold wax and oil, preparing paper using marbling, comic strips, 3D body adornments and portraiture. 

Both A-level art and design students from the college’s Graig campus took part as well as diploma art and design students based at Pibwrlwyd campus.

Directors Karen Thomas and Karen Fitzpatrick from Y Tŷ Celf who organised, funded and delivered on the project were at the final exhibition of work where students were encouraged to share the inspiration behind their artwork with their guests and members of the public. 

Director Karen Thomas said: “Y Ty Celf is very proud to have initiated this project for our local young artists in Llanelli and have been delighted with the level of participation, commitment and enthusiasm demonstrated by all who attended. We sincerely hope these young artists have gained new skills, new friendships and confidence in their abilities to move forward in their studies.”

Catrin Robertson and Maya Martin, are studying a full-time art and design level three extended diploma in art and design.  They have also recently entered a Skills Competition Wales event in photography.

Maya Martin said: “My first experience with Tŷ Celf was the ‘Rise up’ programme, it has been a very enjoyable and a gratifying experience. 

“This course has given me the opportunity to engage with various techniques, cultures and people. Tŷ Celf artists have taught us these skills in a constructive and exhilarating way.  This experience also gave us the opportunity to make lots of social connections with other emerging artists from all ages and backgrounds.”

Catrin Robertson added: “For me this course has been beneficial, fulfilling and memorable. 

“The past few months I have learnt lots of new skills and techniques from Tŷ Celf artists. I have been going to Tŷ Celf for many years, and I always have an incredible and outstanding time.” 

A-level art and design student Dannie Hatch said: “Tŷ Celf has taught me how to get feedback from my peers and how to benefit from learning new techniques. Through learning new skills like marbling and composition it’s helped me to take my A-level work to a higher level.”

A-level student Seren Wood Saunders added: “I really enjoyed the sessions in Tŷ Celf.  It has taught me skills and techniques I’ve never tried before, that I can now use in my A-level coursework. Most of the workshops I did there I have now incorporated in my course work. Working with professional artists and other students was such a fun and helpful experience, I would 100% do it again.”