Wrexham Museum £16,000 Art Funding Boost Welcomed

A £16,000 funding boost which will enable Wrexham Museum to put together an exhibition of art commissioned by an extravagant local 18th century baronet has been welcomed by the town’s AM.

The money comes as part of the £200,000 Sharing Treasures scheme jointly set up between the Welsh Government and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn, 4th Baronet of Llanforda was a famous patron of the arts, who set out on a grand tour of Europe in 1768.

Such tours were fashionable amongst aristocratic gentlemen of the time and commonly included sites such as Paris, Florence Rome, Pompeii, Naples and Venice.

However, Sir Watkin left a legacy of art as a result of his travels, commissioning paintings on his journey and after his return.

The recently refurbished Wrexham Museum is set to use the money to stage a fine art exhibition of a selection of these works.

Wrexham Assembly Member Lesley Griffiths said: “I am delighted the Welsh Government and the Heritage Lottery Fund have chosen Wrexham Museum as one of the recipients of the Sharing Treasures scheme money.

“This represents another significant investment in the cultural life of the town, which follows the recent refurbishment of the museum, also made possible thanks to Welsh Government.

“Wrexham Museum now makes a fine home for fine art exhibitions such as this. I look forward to the opening and urge people to consider a visit.”