It’s been an extremely busy time at the gallery in the last month or so, with so many things going on that it seemed like a good idea to take a look back at what’s been achieved in the short time since reopening .

The New Members 2026 exhibition launched back in March, featuring the work of eighteen of our newest members - with such a wide range of artworks on display - including sculpture, painting and printmaking.

Some exciting and big news was that Nick Elphick’s sculpture for the BBC’s Extraordinary Portraits programme was brought into the gallery and has been on display as part of the New Members 2026 Exhibition. Nick was recently made a member of the RCA, and as a new member, exhibited this sculpture from the BBC programme in the gallery. It’s been very popular and has no doubt helped to draw in more visitors over the last month.

We’ve had a varied and busy programme of workshops and events. Several Life Drawing classes with two very experienced tutors and RCA members, Susan Cantrill-Williams RCA and Peter Moore RCA. Carys Wilson RCA ran a traditional gesso and egg tempera painting workshop, and there have been several opportunities to meet some of the RCA artists in person, with Andy Dobbie RCA performing a live portrait painting demonstration in the upper gallery.

Local art and craft group Cadwgan Soup met for the first time in the gallery workshop - if you are interested in coming and joining in, the group meets every third Friday of the month. The organisation provides a calm, stress free art and social group that is all inclusive and welcomes people with all levels of skill.

Finally, we are currently in final preparation for the RCA Open Exhibition 2026, which officially opens on Saturday 25th April. We had over 400 pieces of work submitted by over 250 artists. Many thanks to all who submitted, the standard was very high indeed. The three RCA judges had the unenviable job of whittling this down to 175 works that will be displayed in the gallery for the coming month - come along on Saturday 25th April between 2pm-4pm for the launch, and to see who wins the £500 first prize and the £100 people’s choice prize.