On 22nd May 2010 Wales’ leading public contemporary art gallery – the Mostyn in Llandudno – reopens after a major expansion project. The three year £5.1m transformation was made possible by a £3m Capital Lottery Award from the Arts Council of Wales along with other significant funding partners.
Professor Dai Smith, Chair of the Arts Council of Wales said: “Mostyn has well and truly established itself on the map in terms of contemporary arts, and is one of a growing number of exciting cultural venues emerging all over Wales. This Lottery award is an exciting new development for the people of Llandudno and north Wales and for the arts in Wales.”
The extensive re-modelling and building project, designed by EllisWilliams Architects, combines the Mostyn’s original Victorian façade and top-lit galleries with a stunning new extension. Integral to the design is a concrete element known as ‘The Tube’ that provides an active and unique focal point to draw visitors into the gallery spaces. The guiding principles to the project were encapsulated by Lois Williams, consultant artist as ‘simplicity, subtlety and sophistication – plus one or two surprises’.
The result is an outstanding space offering four main galleries and two smaller exhibition spaces along with excellent new educational facilities, shop and café named Café Lux, to reflect the quality of light that was always a feature of the old Mostyn and which is further enhanced in the new build.
First Minister for Wales, Carwyn Jones AM, in north Wales on Thursday 20th was one of the very first guests to visit and experience the new Mostyn.
Carwyn Jones said: “The new Mostyn is impressive and architecturally innovative and I’m pleased to be one of the first visitors to see the new developments as it reopens. I am sure that Oriel Mostyn will continue to develop its reputation as a world-class gallery.”
On Thursday evening, Minister for Heritage for Wales, Alun Ffred Jones AM, attended a special event to mark the completion of the building where Gillian Clarke, National Poet of Wales, presented a specially commissioned poem.
Alun Ffred Jones said: “I am delighted to be officially opening the Mostyn. The major expansion project has resulted in an exciting new art gallery which will play an integral role in North Wales’ art scene. Aside from being enjoyed by the community it is another example of the rich cultural landscape Wales offers tourists.”
The Mostyn will build on a rich heritage, acting as a focal point for displaying the best Welsh contemporary art and enabling visitors to explore new work by international artists. The opening exhibitions underscore this mission with the main exhibition being a major celebration of work by many of the best artists in Wales today in ‘We Have the Mirrors, We Have the Plans’, while the renowned Nigerian artist Dilomprizulike, self-styled ‘The Junkman from Afrika’ in residence at the Mostyn for three months, will recreate his ‘Junkyard Museum of Awkward Things’. Danish art and ecology collective Superflex, will show their film ‘Flooded McDonald’s, produced as a co-commission between Mostyn, the South London Gallery and the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art (Denmark). Along with a long-term display of works by local photographer Darryl Lonsbrough titled ‘Along The Line’ and a permanent light feature by Gavin Fraser of Lighting Architects Foto-Ma situated in Café Lux it will be an enthralling launch for the new Mostyn.
Martin Barlow, Director of Mostyn said: “Mostyn has a large and loyal following in north Wales as well as a profile and reputation which go far beyond it, so we are delighted to be reopening at last with a wonderful space and greatly enhanced facilities. We look forward to welcoming everyone back and to bringing in new audiences to this very striking building, which will become a landmark for the town of Llandudno and an important attraction for north Wales.”
To celebrate the reopening the Learning Team at the Mostyn have arranged a parade on the Promenade in Llandudno at 1.30pm on Friday 21st. Some 300 students from local schools will parade from Bodafon Farm towards the Pier and return, showcasing 6 large scale sculptures, musical instruments made from recycled materials and African inspired masks, all made at workshops held during the closure period.
The Mostyn shop, a much-missed resource at Llandudno, will re-open in its new expanded space with a wide range of craft work by local and national makers in a variety of media including ceramics, wood, glass, metal and textiles as well as an excellent selection of cards, art books and specialist magazines.
The new Mostyn, an emblematic building that retains links with the past while making a confident and eye-catching statement for the future, will re-open its doors at 10am on Saturday 22nd of May.
