Art auction to raise money for city gallery

You have the chance to add some exclusive artwork to your home or business while helping an iconic Swansea attraction at the same time.

An auction of paintings by leading Swansea artists is taking place at the city’s Grand Theatre from 7pm on Friday July 29, organised by the Friends of the Glynn Vivian.

The auction will mark the last day of an exhibition of local artists’ paintings now on-going at the theatre’s third floor.

Money raised from the auction will help the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery with its education and conservation work when the Swansea Council attraction re-opens to the public this autumn.

Andrew Green, Chair of the Friends of the Glynn Vivian, said: “Swansea is arguably Wales’ leading centre for visual artists at work today.  The auction is a rare chance to see works by established and emerging contemporary artists, and to collect them at truly competitive prices.”

Glenys Cour, one of the artists represented in the show, said: “The new gallery has all the 21st century facilities and equipment essential in a city like Swansea, but it must be paid for. The auction is a great opportunity to give generously and have a stake in Swansea’s cultural future.”

A multi-million pound redevelopment project funded by the Arts Council of Wales, the Welsh Government, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Cadw and Swansea Council has been undertaken at the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery.

The project includes a new lecture theatre, as well as conservation, library, exhibition, collection display, learning and community spaces. There’ll also be a new collection store for the art collection and a fully accessible entrance that means more people than ever will enjoy greatly improved access to the artworks.

A new state-of-the-art extension will link to the historic buildings, including the Grade II* listed 1911 gallery, which has benefitted from complete restoration and improvements to facilities and access, all of which will ensure the Glynn Vivian is fit for the 21st Century.

Other work on-going at the Glynn Vivian in preparation for re-opening includes the installation of artworks soon to feature in public exhibitions and displays. The learning, shop and café areas are also being fitted out to offer a new visitor experience for communities in Swansea and across Wales.