Minister for Culture and Sport, John Griffiths AM will formally open an exhibition of world-renowned artworks at Abergavenny Museum on Thursday 31st July.
The exhibition, featuring paintings by JMW Turner, John Craxton, John Piper, Eric Ravilious, David Jones, John Sell Cotman, Edward Dayes, and Michael ‘Angelo’ Rooker is inspired by Monmouthshire’s historic Llanthony Priory and runs until September 28th. Other artefacts associated with the priory are featured.
The exhibition, entitled “Sites of Inspiration” is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Welsh 
Government’s Sharing Treasures scheme which enables local museums to display objects from national institutions. Admission is free.
As a sacred site and an impressive monument Llanthony Priory has inspired generations to create works of art and literature that have enthralled the world. The exhibition captures the growth and flowering of Britain’s golden age of watercolour and also illustrates the processes employed by the artists.
County Councillor Bob Greenland, Monmouthshire’s cabinet member for Innovation, Enterprise and Leisure said: “We’re very grateful to be able to exhibit these works in the area that inspired them thanks to the Sharing Treasures grant scheme. Monmouthshire’s museum service is renowned for the quality of its displays and these paintings and artworks are of world class quality. We extend a warm welcome to the exhibition and suggest that visitors also explore nearby Llanthony and its priory to witness what inspired the artists originally”.
For further information contact: Abergavenny Museum, Castle Street, Abergavenny, NP7 5EE, telephone: 01873 854282 (open: Monday to Saturday 11am-1pm and 2-5pm, Sundays 2-5pm).
