Christmas came early in Neath Port Talbot when Pontardawe Arts Centre played host to a series of educational and fun Christmas arts and craft parties “Arty Party” aimed at NPT primary schools, a successful ongoing project funded by the Welsh Arts Council and organised by the NPTCBC Community Arts team.
The workshops took place over several days with professional artists. Three schools per day took part in 3 one hour classes where they were taught skills such as Christmas wreath making, soft clay Christmas trees, and beaded tree decorations. Professional Story Teller Michael Harvey also engaged the children with tales of Christmas past and present.
Leader of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council Ali Thomas commented, “This funded project has proved very popular and hugely successful amongst all our primary schools with the limited places available. The opportunity for our pupils to learn additional educational activities outside of school with professional tutors at one of our prestige theatres is essential in encouraging creativity at an early age.
“NPT Community Arts team at Neath Port Talbot are always looking for exciting ways of engaging with our communities through the arts and strive to deliver a varied programme of events and are committed to help support local groups to achieve their creative skills and ambitions.”
Amongst some of the schools taking part were Llangwig Primary, YGGD Trebannws, Godre’graig Primary and Rhos Primary.
