The creation of a more equal, globally responsible Wales (Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015) lies at the heart of all we do at Artisan Avenue, writes Anna.

We benefit from our close connections with Stand Up To Racism West Wales, Tenby Museum and Art Gallery, The Welsh Refugee Coalition and Tenby Observer, in working towards those aims.

2022 kicked off with our lovely Tenby Mayor, Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, braving the Covid wave and restrictions, to open our ‘Tenby Shares’ Exhibition at Tenby Museum on January 8: On display were a vast array of ‘lockdown gems’ created by community members, including those by some of the young men who had been housed by the Home Office at the ex-military barracks in Penally while their asylum claims were processed. The One World Exhibition, the collection we specifically curated from the creativity shared with us from these wonderful guys, lined the walls of The Temple of Peace in Cardiff in March and Swansea Waterfront Museum from April until June: An exhibition which gave us a great excuse for a celebration to mark their many successes, during Refugee Week.

Through our friendship with this wonderful group of artists, we’ve learned a lot about the unfairness and mis-information which surrounds the UK asylum process; prompting our action in launching ‘A Hand in Protest’ in July, against the UK govt plans to forcibly transport some people, seeking asylum to Rwanda.

In September, thanks to The Welsh Refugee Coalition, our resultant piece of protest art, a giant postcard, attracted HTV Wales news coverage, as it carried the ideology of Wales (A Nation of Sanctuary) from the Senedd Building in Cardiff Bay to the UK govt Home Office Building on Newport Road. Our protest continues and copies of the postcard are available to all, for sending to MPs to demand an end to this brutal policy.

Carmarthenshire LGBTQ Winter Pride Event in December, saw the launch of ‘A Wave of Welcome’; our current project, which invites participants to visually express a welcome for ALL who seek sanctuary in the UK, within an outline drawing of their own hand, for incorporation into various artworks to be sent to and shared with, people seeking sanctuary. This collective ‘visual voice’ is gaining force and will ‘speak’ loudly in the months ahead.

And once again, Tenby Museum and Art Gallery will host an exhibition of creativity from the communities we connect with: ‘Global Hopes’ opening on February 25, 2023, will display a collection of artwork from individuals and organisations who use their creativity to raise awareness of issues and campaign for change. We hope to see you there!

Many thanks to all who have supported our work over the past year and as we enter 2023 we’d just like to remind you that art is an avenue for all !