Art fans can now enjoy a trip around Tŷ Pawb’s galleries without having to leave home thanks to a new virtual exhibition tour which is now available to view online.
The Tŷ Pawb Open Exhibition features 117 works by 102 artists, all based around the central theme of creativity during lockdown.
The exhibition features a huge, colourful variety of artistic mediums from print and paint to sculpture, and video.
The galleries at Wrexham’s multi-award winning arts, markets and community facility were due to open to the public on October 3. However the decision was made to postpone the reopening and the exhibition prize judging in view of the local COVID-19 restrictions which came into play on the 1st October.
The fully interactive tour allows users to explore the entire exhibition while the galleries are closed.
A celebration of lockdown creativity
Following an open call earlier this year, over 350 artists from across the UK submitted work to be considered for the exhibition.
Three judges were then asked to select a range of works that not only fit the theme of the exhibition but also complemented each other and created a coherent display.
The judges making the selection were: Lesley James (Winner of Wrexham Open 2018 Judges’ Prize), Katy McCall (Learning Manager at Manchester Art Gallery) and Ffion Rhys (Curator, Aberystwyth Arts Centre)
Prizes
Prizes are due to be awarded in three categories: Judge’s Prize, Young Person’s Prize and Adaptability Prize. The winners will be selected by a judging panel made up of Lesley James, Ffion Rhys and Alistair Hudson (Director of Manchester Art Gallery and Whitworth Art Gallery).
A further prize voted for by visitors to the exhibition will be awarded in December.
Creative Assignments
Also on display as part of the exhibition are the outcomes from the Creative Assignments project. At the start of lockdown, Tŷ Pawb commissioned artists to deliver creative assignments that could be undertaken by audiences as part of the ongoing Arts At Home programme.
These ‘assignments’ were opportunities to get involved with the arts at home, in the garden, online or even on your daily walk! The activities included creating videos, photos, collages, drawings and stories.
Seven artists were commissioned to deliver the assignments: Jenny Cashmore, Peter Hooper, Sophie Lindsey, Ruth Stringer, Owain Train McGilvary, Rhi Moxon and Mai Thomas. You can view the outcomes of their projects in Gallery 2 on the virtual tour.
To accompany the launch of the virtual tour, an activity booklet has been created full of fun and engaging drawing activities for young artists and their families. The pack can be downloaded from the Tŷ Pawb website.
Cllr Hugh Jones, said: “The exhibition is a celebration of the creativity, innovation and resilience that has been developed by artists in lockdown over the last few months.
“Tŷ Pawb has continued to offer an excellent online Arts At Home programme throughout this period, including live streaming music performances, online arts activities for families and innovative Creative Assignments developed with artists across Wales. All the activities have been very well received and many of the creations from these projects are now on show as part of the exhibition.
“The response we’ve had to the virtual tour since its launch has been fantastic. We are so thrilled to see so many people enjoying the exhibition online and we hope many more will take a look at this inspiring selection of works over the next few weeks and months.”
To view the tour head to the Tŷ Pawb website – www.typawb.wales/ty-pawb-open
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