National Eisteddfod of Wales: Tregaron 2022 - ‘Lle Celf’ + ‘Artisan’
National Eisteddfod of Wales 30.07 - 06.08.2022
This past week was spent talking, showing and selling my work in a field in Wales; Tregaron to be exact. Some might argue that Tregaron is the centre of the universe, and for last week it really was. The National Eisteddfod of Wales came to town, and for those of you that have never heard of the National Eisteddfod of Wales , here we go….. It’s a unique cultural festival that brings together music, literature, dance, theatre and visual art for 8 days. The festival moves location every year, so the whole area gets involved in raising money and preparing for the festival. All the talks, music, lectures, theatre performances, competing takes place in Cymraeg, it’s a true joy to be part of the whole thing. A true celebration of the Welsh language and culture.
The festival site has spaces for charities, organisations, makers and artists to show and sell their work; some in stalls, some in site specific spaces and some in the ‘Artisan’ tent. It was the first time for me to have a stand in the ‘Artisan’ pavilion, so prep and emotions were all over the place before set up.
As well as having a stand in the Artisan tent, I was thrilled to be showing my work in the ‘Lle celf’ @yllecelf (the art pavilion). The ‘Lle Celf’ is the art pavilion /art exhibition, known to be the biggest temporary art exhibition in Europe. Artists, practitioners and architects apply to show their work in the ‘Lle Celf’. On average around 2,000 + artists apply with the selection process depending on the committee from where the Eisteddfod is being held that year. From the selected artists, there’s also a chance to win awards such as the Gold Medal for Fine Art, Gold Medal for Craft and Design, Gold Medal for Architecture, Young Artist Scholarship, Architecture Scholarship and many other prizes.
Being select to show my work was a huge privilege and a chance to show my work with so many other artist was exciting! I don’t know of any other event where it’s possible to see so much of the arts within one site and one week. If you haven’t visited, do…..mae’n fendigedig (it is wonderful!)
