Author name: Samara Van Rijswijk

Dydd Gŵyl y Pasg: A Celebration of Welsh Springtime Traditions This April, the community is invited to take part in Dydd Gŵyl y Pasg, a celebration of Welsh traditions marking the arrival of spring. Taking place on April 12th, the event will highlight Wales’ cultural heritage, blending ancient customs with creative workshops, traditional music, and seasonal festivities. While Easter is widely observed as a Christian holiday, the arrival of spring has been honoured in Wales for centuries. In Celtic times, the Spring Equinox—a day of equal light and darkness—was seen as a time of renewal and transformation. Communities gathered to welcome the lengthening days through feasting, song, and ritual, often lighting fires as symbols of warmth and fertility. The return of the sun was deeply connected to the cycles of nature, and many of these traditions later intertwined with Easter celebrations. Building on these themes of renewal and celebration, Dydd Gŵyl y Pasg offers a range of activities inspired by Welsh customs, including: Spring Wreath-Making Workshop with Hannah Darby – A hands-on session where participants can craft their own decorative wreaths using seasonal materials, embracing the symbolism of new life and growth. Choral Procession with the Mari Lwyd made by

Robin Ince: The Universe and The Neurodiverse – An Evening of Stories, Poetry & Music  What if being “a bit weird” is actually completely normal? What if sharing our internal struggles is a sign of strength rather than weakness? Award-winning comedian, broadcaster, and author Robin Ince has spent over 30 years entertaining audiences on stage and radio, including the acclaimed The Infinite Monkey Cage on BBC Radio 4. But behind the laughter, Robin wrestled with self-doubt, anxiety, and the challenges of ADHD—challenges that he has transformed into creative fuel for his new show. Join us for The Universe and The Neurodiverse, an evening of heartfelt stories, poetry, and humor, where Robin explores mental health, creativity, and what it means to embrace our uniqueness. Adding to the magic is live music from singer-songwriter Rachel Taylor-Beales, whose soulful blend of Americana, alt-folk, blues, and jazz beautifully complements the evening’s themes. 📅 Date: Saturday 25th January 2025 ⏰ Time: 7:30 PM (Approx. 2 hours, including Q&A) 🎟 Tickets: £10 / £8.50 concessions Location: Scout Hut Narberth This is an event not to be missed—grab your tickets now and join us for a night that celebrates the beauty of being yourself.

Call for Artists: Transform Shipping Containers with Prendergast Community School SPAN Arts is seeking a talented artist with experience in large-scale painting projects to collaborate with pupils at Prendergast Community School, Haverfordwest. This exciting project will transform two shipping containers—used as a Bocs Bwyd and a Pre-loved Clothes Shop—into vibrant works of art, co-created with the pupils. Project Details Design Workshop: 1 day in January 2025 (in-school session) Outdoor Painting Days: 5 days in early March 2025 (with pupils) Planning & Preparation: 1 day Fee: £250/day (£1,750 total) plus travel expenses Materials: Separate budget provided What We’re Looking For An experienced artist who enjoys working collaboratively with young people, inspiring creativity, and bringing large-scale ideas to life. How to Apply Send the following to production@span-arts.org.uk by 5pm, Thursday 12th December: A cover letter (max 1 side of A4) outlining your relevant experience. Your CV. Images or links to examples of your work. Alternatively, you can submit a 5-minute audio or video recording with the same information. All applicants must have an up-to-date DBS check. We’ll acknowledge all applications, and if you have any questions, feel free to contact us at the above email address or call 01834 869323. Join us

We’re Looking for an Arts Facilitator for February Half Term 2025!  Are you a passionate arts facilitator with experience working with young people? We’re seeking someone to lead inspiring, creative workshops for Young Carers during February Half Term 2025. About the Workshops The aim is to create a safe, supportive space where young people aged 11–17 can relax, connect with others, and explore their creativity. These hands-on workshops will help build confidence, encourage self-expression, and foster new friendships. We are open to any art form—from visual arts to performance, music, or crafts. SPAN Arts has a wide range of materials available for facilitators to use. Key Details Workshop Dates: 24th – 28th February 2025 Times: 11am – 4pm Location: SPAN Arts, Towns Moor Road, Narberth Participants: Young Carers, aged 11–17 Fees and Submission Details Fee: £250 per workshop day (inclusive of travel and expenses) Facilitators may lead one or more full-day workshops during the week. Submission Deadline: 12th January 2025 If you thrive on creating engaging, fun environments for young people and want to make a lasting impact, we’d love to hear from you. To apply, please send your CV, a short cover letter detailing your experience, and examples of

After the positive response to the SPAN’s Arty Party events for creative Freelancers, we were delighted to launch the Green Room Sessions, a new series of workshops offering West Wales based creative freelancers access to professional development sessions. Continuing on from the success of The Art of Fundraising, the next session will be The Art of Marketing. The Green Room sessions are a series of artist focussed workshops run by the SPAN team looking at a range of professional skills that offer insight into a variety of areas from fundraising to promotion. Join us for the second session in the series, The Art of Marketing, lead by Samara Van Rijswijk and Evangeline Morris. Both working on the Marketing team at SPAN as well as being practicing Artists, they have extensive knowledge of the tools and tricks you can use to develop a professional and practical marketing style as a freelance creative and boost your visibility. Join them for this session to learn about the key aspects of self-promotion including website development, mail outs and social media, as well as information on free tools to help you make your story memorable. Join us on Monday the 11th November from 6pm until 8pm at