Gwynedd helps budding young artists

Following the success of Gwynedd Council’s “Criw Celf” scheme the Community Arts Unit is looking for young artists to enrol for the 2011/12 cohort.

The aim of the “Criw Celf” scheme is to allow children who have shown artistic promise and a partiqular interest in art to practice and develop their skills, with master classes led by local professional artists. There is room for between 15 and 20 children, and the county’s primary schools have been invited to nominate year 4 and year 5 pupils who have shown artistic talent.

Gwawr Wyn Roberts, Gwynedd Council’s Community Arts Development Officer said:

“The “Criw Celf” master class sessions have proved to be a real success, both with the students who take part, and also with the professional artists who led the courses. They saw a real development in the skill and passion of these young artists.”

“We’re now looking for children year 4 and 5 children to establish a new group”. So if you know a child who dreams of becoming an artist, then why not put their name forward?”

Members of the 2011/12 “Criw Celf” will attend a series of one-day master classes in the company of professional artists who specialize in various art genres. A total of six days training will be on offer. Each member will also receive an art pack containing various quality art materials so that they can practice drawing at home.

Councillor Roy Owen, who leads on the arts for Gwynedd Council added:

“I am delighted that Gwynedd’s children will again this year be able to make the most of the pioneering “Criw Celf” project which allows young people from all over the county to meet up and practice their talents and make the most of the expert advice available to them.

“As a Council we realised that whilst there were quite a few opportunities available for children to practice musical and performance skills locally, there was no such opportunities for young people interested in art to develop their skills. I hope the “Criw Celf” classes go on from strength to strength.”

Every child who is nominated will need to send the following for assessment to the Council’s Community Arts Unit 27th June, 2011:

  • a two-dimension self-portrait, created using any art material or combination of art materials which should be no more than A3 sized paper
  • a drawing of the view from their bedroom window or from their classroom window, created using any art material or combination of art materials which should be no more than A3 sized paper
  • a short paragraph of no more than 50 words explaining why they would like to join Criw Celf

For more information, or if you wish to nominate a child for the 2010/11 “Criw Celf”, contact Gwawr Wyn Roberts, Gwynedd Council’s Community Arts Development Officer on: [email protected] or call 01286 679721 / 07789 032517.

Most of the scheme is funded by Gwynedd Council and the Arts Council for Wales, but every child will be required to pay an annual membership fee of £30.

Photograph: Josie and the papier mache work
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