Wrexham’s Artspace kicks off 2018 with ‘Energy and Motion’

As the excitement mounts for the opening of Ty Pawb, local arts organisation THIS Project is asking the public not to forget Wrexham already has an Art and Community Space – Undegun. After almost five years, and with vital support from the Arts Council of Wales, Undegun is still going strong from it’s base in the old JJB Sport shop above Waterstones and broke through the 100,000 visitor mark towards the end of 2017.

The gallery is launching it’s 2018 programme this weekend with two days of arts activity, starting with the (free!) launch of the Energy and Motion exhibition from 7pm on Friday, hosting the premiere of web series People in Places on the same night. The following day sees an exciting array of musicians lining up to take part in the celebrations of Spectrum Promotions 8th Birthday, promising something for every art fan over a weekend extravaganza of local talent.

Diana Baur has lived and sketched in the Welsh Hills for 27 years, and uses colour and texture to capture emotional experiences. Expressive marks, paint and collage help connect her to memories and Diana says: “I rarely know what my paintings are about until they are complete.”

Hannah Prescott, although a recent graduate, has a unique style that stands out from her contemporaries for its natural honesty and integrity. She paints in large scale “which allows me to move around the canvas and use a range of materials such as: paint, oil pastels, plastic, charcoal, spray paint and other materials. I believe that art should be freeing and involving and I like the idea of being inspired by the people and simple everyday things around me or you.”

Jon Price is a well known Wrexham character, who has been a miner, steel worker and has run his own town centre business, but has kept a low profile with his creative output. Undegun Curator, Marja Bonada, describes John as a “Hidden gem”, who has been painting away in his studio for over 40 years, but in that time has not shown his work to the public. And with influences ranging from Basquait and De Kooning, John blends his work with a real contemporary edge.

The launch night will feature performances from top acoustic musicians including Jonathan Coley who will be playing at the launch, as well as guitarist Joshua Hall alongside local poet / philosopher Scott Baines who will both be performing at the launch of People In Places.

People In Places, written and directed by Robert Corcoran, has been filmed at locations all over Wrexham including Wrexham Bus Station. Rob, whose previous work includes locally based feature film You Are Invited To, has created the 3 part comedy web series, with each episode having an entirely different cast and crew.

You can view the People In Places trailer by clicking here…

Then on Saturday we have an eclectic mix of music performances as part of Spectrum Promotions 8th Birthday. The night, presented by House of Lux, features rising Merseyside band The Mysterines, Welsh music prize nominees Mammoth Weed Wizard Bastard, Cull, Unforgiven Sinners, Bermusa, Underclass, Heartbeat Wonderbar, with One Tribe and Audio Farm DJ’s to finish. In a tour de force of the local music scene Mark Huckridge from Gallops will also be making an appearance on the decks.

Creative Director of THIS Project, Dave Gray, who runs Undegun Art Space said: “Everyone in the Creative Community is looking forward to the launch of Ty Pawb, and the opening will represent a new era for the arts in Wrexham. The new project will also be a linchpin of the regeneration of forgotten parts of the town centre. But we’re asking the public not to forget about Undegun, which has been a base for the Creative Community over the past five years, putting on over 50 exhibitions and attracting well over 100,000 visitors.

“If you’re interested in art and music, then come along and see the best of what is being produced locally.”

If you’re not already one of the 100,000 visitors to go along to the gallery, this weekend is definitely your chance to check it out. Organisers are keen to emphasise: “Everyone’s welcome!”

The exhibition will be open Wednesday to Saturday, 11am to 4pm, until Saturday, March 24th 2018.

For further information on the weekend events go to facebook.com/thisproject