ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Leads Creative Celebration for Swansea Minster
The ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø (ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø) is leading a dynamic community project to mark the transformation of St Mary’s Church into Swansea Minster. On 16th February 2025, Swansea will officially welcome its first Minster church, cementing its place as a cultural and spiritual landmark.
Working with ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’s Swansea College of Art, pupils and parents from Christchurch, Church in Wales Primary School teamed up with Illustration MA student Isabella Coombs, and MA Design Craft student Molly Ashton, to create a vibrant, symbolic banner. The artwork captures children’s hopes and dreams for their city and invites visitors to Swansea Minster to add their own wishes to the banner making it a truly community-driven piece.
Canon Justin Davies expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration:
“I’m delighted to be working again with the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø to bring art into what will, from Sunday, 16th February, become the first Minster in Wales. The space inside the church is ideal for displaying art in many forms, and with guests joining us from all over Wales, the artwork created by Christchurch School children and ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø students will be seen by many. I hope that a strong partnership with ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’s School of Art will become an integral part of the future life of the Minster.â€
The project aligns with the 10th anniversary of Swansea City Centre’s UNESCO City of Learning status. Funded by the South Wales Reaching Wider Partnership, it reflects ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’s commitment to community engagement and widening access through its Swansea College of Art outreach programme.
Isabella Coombs, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø MA Illustration student and Outreach artist said:
“As a ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Outreach Tutor for over three years, this project provided a rich and rewarding experience, allowing us to collaborate with St. Mary’s Church and Christchurch Primary School . These community workshops gained valuable insight into what matters most to Swansea’s children, turning their hopes and aspirations into meaningful artworks and was a truly exciting experience I wish to continue.â€
ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’s MA Design Craft student Molly Ashton added:
“As a student at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, I’ve really enjoyed this experience of working in the community and sharing skills with the pupils of the local primary school.â€
Anne-Marie Atkins, Headteacher of Christchurch (Church in Wales) Primary School said:
“I am so thrilled to be part of the wonderful collaborative project with Dr Amanda Roberts and ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø. The children and families of Christchurch Primary School have been excited and fully engaged whilst creating the wonderful banners that are displayed in St. Mary’s. The buzz during our afternoon workshop in St. Marys, and the coming together of our diverse families was something special. We are so proud to be part of the Minster celebrations, and to include this project as part of the year long celebration of Swansea being a UNESCO Learning City for 10 years. Exciting times ahead!â€
Dr. Amanda Roberts, Head of Outreach at Swansea College of Art, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, highlighted the impact of the initiative:
“Our ‘Reaching Wider’ fun days enable us to design and implement collaborative, community-driven projects that foster interconnection and wellbeing. These initiatives also highlight the unique opportunities for practice-based creative study at Swansea College of Art, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø.â€
Further Information
Lowri Thomas
Principal Communications and PR Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: lowri.thomas@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07449 998476