First batch of exhibitions and events confirmed ahead of Tŷ Pawb’s spring 2018 opening

The first batch of events and exhibitions at Wrexham’s new multi-million pound arts and markets facility – Tŷ Pawb – have been confirmed.

Work converting the Peoples Market has been ongoing for several months, with the building undergoing a complete transformation

A combined total of £4.5 million – £2.3 million from Arts Council Wales, £1.5 million from Wrexham Council and £700,000 funding has been made available from the Welsh Government’s Vibrant and Viable Places Programme – has been spent redeveloping the former Peoples Market, with the project set to be complete by April 2017.

So far an opening date for the facility has been confirmed, with Dydd Llun Pawb (Everybody’s Monday) to take place on April 1st 2018.

Details have also been released of the first batch of exhibitions to be held at the new site. It is expected information on the number of stalls / how many of the three food stands will be occupied for the opening, nearer the time.

The confirmed exhibitions and events are:

– Wal Pawb – a large-scale arts installation by artist Katie Cuddon
– Dydd Llun Pawb itself, and a follow-up exhibition showing its success
– “Is This Planet Earth?” – a group exhibition looking at the future of our planet from an environmental viewpoint, brought together by independent curator Angela Kingston
– The return of the Wrexham Open, where submissions of artworks are welcomed from anybody, regardless of age or background
– Shiftwork – an exhibition of work by artists from the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) community
– Three touring exhibitions including high profile displays from the Craft Council and Arts Council Collection. The famous and popular figures featuring in these exhibitions will be announced very soon
– “Weaving Communities” (working title) will be a living display in the lead up to and during the Craft Council exhibition

The gallery will also be open to exhibition spaces known as “baggy spaces” – during the times between fixed displays and exhibitions, parts of the gallery will be open to community groups or stakeholders to display their own work.

Cllr Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council, said: “No small amount of interest has been generated in what Tŷ Pawb will bring to Wrexham, and people are already looking forward to Dydd Llun Pawb.

“But while we know that the opening and early days of this new facility will be of interest to the public, events and exhibitions are already in place well into Tŷ Pawb’s first year.

“Further details on these individual exhibitions will be announced as dates grow nearer.”

Events will continue to be held at Oriel Wrecsam and in the South Arcade of the Peoples Market building during work on Tŷ Pawb, with free activities for children every Saturday including face painting and crafts.

Life drawing classes are also held at Oriel Wrecsam every Thursday evening, and – working in collaboration with the Café in the Corner and TWIG – free workshops with lunch on Tuesday afternoons.

Musician and storyteller Jacqui Bloor also runs a series of Piccolo’s Music drop-in workshops at Oriel Wrecsam from 10am until noon every Monday and Friday, for babies and toddlers up to the age of five.

In September 2017 Wrexham Council confirmed they would manage the site for a minimum of three years, despite initial plans to hand over the centre to an independent trust from the offset.

You can view our video of our visit to the Tŷ Pawb building site, below: