Launch for Glynn Vivian fundraising campaign

Launch for Glynn Vivian fundraising campaign

A fundraising campaign has been launched to help support the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery’s programmes when the attraction reopens this autumn.

The Association of Friends of the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery are looking to raise £50,000 over coming months to further boost the gallery’s position at the heart of the city’s cultural offer.

The ‘Glynn Vivian 2016 Fund’ campaign ambassadors include Kev Johns, Mal Pope, writer and curator Mel Gooding, and local artist Glenys Cour.

All funds raised will be contributed towards:

* Supporting the programme to conserve objects in the collections, including items donated by the gallery’s founder, Richard Glynn Vivian

* Providing the new learning studio with equipment to help children, young people and members of the community take full advantage of learning activities

* Preparing and publishing a new visitor’s guide to the gallery and its collections

Every contribution, large or small, will make a direct impact on the way the gallery can help everyone who uses it.

* A donation of £50 will help create a ‘living painting’ for visually impaired people

* £100 will conserve a miniature from the Richard Glynn Vivian collection

* £500 will buy a tablet computer for the exhibition rooms

* £1,000 will help towards the production of the visitor’s guide

Swansea Council is backing the fundraising campaign. Major physical redevelopment works are nearing completion at the gallery thanks to a scheme funded by the Arts Council of Wales, the Welsh Government, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Cadw and Swansea Council.

Funding was also secured through the Building Enhancement Programme grant scheme run by Swansea Council and funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

Professor Peter Stead, President of the Friends of the Glynn Vivian, said: “Swansea has always been a town and city of and for artists. For centuries the changing pattern of industry, ships, docks, houses and markets have been painted by outstanding artists.

“Beautiful artefacts such as china and stained glass have been made here, new art forms such as photography developed and new art styles pioneered. All of this is reflected in the wonderfully redeveloped Glynn Vivian Gallery, your own local gallery where you will begin to appreciate anew the enterprise, creativity and genius that has characterised your home patch.

“It’s time to take pride in this local treasure, make it yours: become a sponsor, a Patron, a Friend or just call in, identify your favourite masterpieces and sit quietly reflecting on both truth and beauty.”

Campaign supporter, radio presenter Kev Johns said, “The Glynn Viv is one of the great places of Swansea.  In Dynevor as a teenager I came to love it, and I can’t wait to see the building reopen.  If you love it too, what about giving to the ‘Glynn Vivian 2016’ fund?  Play your part in helping the Gallery get off to a great start in the autumn.”

You can donate by going to the Friends website at www.friendsoftheglynnvivian.com and making a direct card payment by electronic bank transfer, and through direct transfer via JustGiving.

The redevelopment project at the Glynn Vivian includes a new lecture space as well as conservation, library, exhibition, 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 two listed 1911 gallery, which has benefitted from complete restoration and improvements to facilities and access. This includes lifts and hearing loops to ensure the Glynn Vivian is fit for the 21st Century.