Chair’s Report AGM 2008
4TH AUGUST IN TREGWYNT MANSION
We have had an interesting and busy year. Since the last AGM we have held
five workshops for public access, five Exhibitions, four concerts and one
film night as well as continuing life drawing on Friday afternoons in the
e-learning Centre, Fishguard.
The Big Draw in Fishguard Town Hall in the Autumn drew quite a crowd for,
“The(not quite) Last Invasion!”. The resulting video can be seen
on our website and YouTube and can be accessed, as well, through Google Earth.
‘Little Jewels’ was our successful Christmas Show in the library
Gallery. A novel idea which we hope to take elsewhere next year.
Artsfest 2008 began in March with a living Willow Workshop at Fishguard Garden
Centre. This Workshop took on a life of it’s own and more workshops were
arranged which was good to see.
Ysgol Glannau Gwaun was our venue for the Easter Exhibition and it was opened
by Gwenno Dafydd who had given an Edith Piaf Concert for us at Theatr Gwaun
two nights before. Not only did Gwenno open our Exhibition but she sang, unaccompanied,
her Song for St David which has been adopted for St David’s Day.
Being in the middle of town certainly boosts numbers and the exhibition was
well attended. During the Exhibition the Children’s workshop was given
by Buzz Knapp Fisher and a Print Workshop by Carole King. Both workshops were
full and thoroughly appreciated.
Glen and Carol organised the ‘Threads, Dust and Mud “ an invitation
Exhibition in the Library Gallery and also the Print Show which has just finished.
Tom Learmouth of Emrys Arts came to the opening and presented the kindly donated
Emrys Art Prize . We have had issues with the Library Gallery as the sineage
is still sadly lacking and the UV filter for the skylight, although ordered,
has not yet arrived.
Jake Whittaker ran “Shore Move’ animation workshop in July at Ocean
lab. people dropped by and watched added and made the animations with photographs
from mobile phones or cameras. The results can be seen on YouTube.
The Big Film Night, a double Bill, the films ‘Basquiat and “Persepolis”
in Theatr Gwaun was fairly well attended considering it was a balmy summer
evening.
We are still in discussions with SeaTrust and the ”Dolphin Ring Concept“
is moving on steadily.
The FAS website has new hits everyday and I noticed we have had people looking
from America, Italy, Holland, Ireland, Canada, Spain, France, and others!
The main idea of this website is to keep members informed of what is going
on. it has been a difficult year to get the bulletin out and Glenn has done
a wonderful job , we need more articles and Glenn would like to now pass the
writing to another editor.
Now, Tregwynt Mansion, through the kindness of Doug and Barbara Macleod we
have been able to use their ballroom for concerts and the Summer Exhibition.
Sarah Davies and Bois y Wlad gave a roof lifting concert in May; we could
have hardly squeezed another person into the room. Daryl James sorted out
a delightful table of small bites.
The Summer Exhibition numbers have been good. For this Exhibition we paid
Sigma, who store the boards to put them up. This is a heavy chore for the
able-bodied and a special thanks goes to those who have helped and hung our
Exhibitions.
Working with Fishguard International Music Festival we have held two concerts
during this Exhibition, Fiona Care, flute and Richard Jenkinson, principal
cellist with the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra which were quite wonderful.
All in all there has to be a lot of thanks to those members
who have given their time freely and generously.
Gaynor McMorrin..Chair, August 5th 2008