Doing Small Things: Narberth Planters
The Narberth planters.
completed project
Read about Span’s recent achievements and how the project has made its mark.
Creative Connections Artist Call-Out
Are you an experienced creative workshop facilitator? Are you experienced in working with carers, young carers, or both? SPAN Arts is looking for arts workshop facilitators working in different mediums, from music to printmaking, movement to photography, to run sessions as part of our Creative Connections programme running creative sessions for carers in Narberth, Pembrokeshire, across February and March 2024. Please send a cover letter up to 1 side of A4 (400 words) describing your experience of this type of work along with a copy of your CV to info@span-arts.org.uk by 5pm Friday 8th December. Alternatively, you can send a 5-minute audio or video recording that covers the same information if that is more accessible. All applicants will need to have up to date DBS checks. We aim to contact all applicants of decisions by Monday 18th December. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at the above email address or on 01834 869323 with any questions.
Call Out For A Songwriter/Musician
SPAN is looking for a Songwriter/Musician, with experience of developing music with young people to create a modern music track/song. You will be working with a group of 11-18 year olds at Letterston Youth Club, Letterston Memorial Hall, Nr. Fishguard. Taking place over 4 consecutive Wednesday evenings in Jan/Feb 2024. There will be paid time for editing and a fifth Wednesday session to share the song and a video that the young people make to document the process. Fee: £1,500 (£200 per session plus £500 prep/editing time) A current DBS certificate will be required for this role. Travel expenses available. Please send us your CV and an expression of interest in written (up to 1 page) or digitally recorded form (up to 5 minutes), considering how your relevant experience would be best utilised in this project. Send your applications to info@span-arts.org.uk Closing date for applications: 17th November 2023 We will acknowledge all applications. Following the closing date, applicants will be shortlisted for eligibility by SPAN and the final decision will be made by the Young People.
Becoming Nature by Lou Luddington
Call out now closed We are actively seeking a small number of nature lovers from a broad spectrum of the Pembrokeshire community to participate in Becoming Nature – a SPAN Arts Love Stories to Nature arts commission by local photographer and writer Lou Luddington. Becoming Nature explores the power and meaning of our connection to the natural world, using photography, poetry and prose, to profile nine local Pembrokeshire nature lovers in a cherished place in nature. From surfers, swimmers and freedivers to naturalists, artists and gardeners, we are looking to include participants from a wide range of environments and pursuits. The aim is to capture how being in these places opens our hearts and provides a deep sense of well being that is vital to our health- nine Love Stories to Nature to share with the world. Participants will be photographed and interviewed by Lou in a favourite local natural environment, a cherished place that provides solace, peace or joy. The location of your favourite place need not be disclosed in the final sharing. Participation is voluntary for one half day during October or November. You will need transport to your chosen location but travel expenses can be covered by
Date Nature – The New Dating App
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bi0lIZaDjk Date Nature – A short film created by Emily Laurens as part of our Love Stories to Nature commission. Do you love nature? Are you bored of dating humans? Stay tuned for an artistic experiment where you get to DATE NATURE! THIS CALL OUT IS NOW CLOSED Join artist Emily Laurens for a one-day workshop exploring our relationship with nature through nature connection games, clowning and mindfulness. AND be part of a (mock)umentary film exploring a new and exciting dating app – DATE NATURE! You will need to be a Pembrokeshire resident You will need to be free for two days (dates TBC around your availability) in August/September You need to be happy to appear in a film which will be shared widely including online You can contribute in Welsh and/or English You will be a VIP at the film premier later in the year! AND you will receive £100 expenses payment to cover food and travel for the days you are with us To apply send us a photo of yourself, and tell us a bit about yourself, we want to know who you are, what’s your favourite bit of nature in Pembrokeshire and why you love it
Pererin Wyf
Is Oilithreach Mé
I am a pilgrim
Sounding the way back through story and song Pererin Wyf / Is Oilithreach Mé / I am a pilgrim is a participatory arts project which sought to connect with the Welsh and Irish diaspora with particular reference to a new cross-border pilgrimage connecting Pembrokeshire and Wexford. The project took its title and inspiration from an 18th century hymn by the prolific Welsh writer William Williams Pantycelyn. The hymn has been sung to the tune of Amazing Grace since Welsh singer Iris Williams made her landmark recording in 1971. This project culminated in May 2023 with an online documentary film screening and song sharing followed by a short live streamed concert at St Davids Cathedral. Pererin Wyf – Is Oilithreach Mé – I am a Pilgrim: Documentary Film The project took its title and inspiration from an 18th century hymn by the prolific Welsh writer William Williams Pantycelyn. The hymn is most often sung to the tune of Amazing Grace. Project participants were encouraged to sing a version of the hymn or any song that has the power to call you home and to pin it to an online map. Pererin Wyf is Welsh for ‘I am a Pilgrim’. This short
Narberth A Cappella Voice Festival (NAVF)
We are incredibly excited that the Narberth A Cappella Voice Festival (NAVF) will be back from the 2nd of March 2024. The festival will be packed with live music, an incredible singing feast, as well as engaging and uplifting workshops led by a cappella masters. Stay tuned for updates in the coming months. Stay tuned for more updates across our social media channels: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Supported by the Arts Council of Wales, Pembrokeshire County Council, The Ashley Family Foundation, Ty Cerdd, and PAVS, in collaboration with The Queen’s Hall and Bethesda Chapel, Narberth.
Youth Projects: Recycled Fashion
Working with artists, with a flair for fashion and all things sustainable, facilitating an exciting project at local youth centres in the heart of Pembrokeshire. The project involved a small group of young people from Point youth centre, Fishguard creating fashion out of natural and recyclable materials, following a series of co-creation workshops led by SPAN team members. The aim of the project was to create statement fashion that brings attention to the social prejudices young people face today, culminating in a showcase of the work created. The natural and recycled theme was a strong element of importance to the young people during the co-creation workshops, along with speaking out about what matters and feeling heard as a young person growing up in West Wales. We saw these elements and themes incorporated into the workshops.
Youth Projects: Environmental Art
We are looking to recruit a Welsh speaking artist to facilitate an exciting project at a local Welsh school. The project will involve a mixed class of year 8 children from Ysgol Y Preseli, Crymych with aim to regenerate the school’s community garden, following a series of co-creation workshops led by SPAN Arts team members. The aim of the project is to use recycled materials to revamp the community garden through a series of workshops, whilst improving the physical and emotional health of pupils. The recycled theme was a strong element of importance to pupils during the co-creation workshops, along with improving emotional and physical health, collaboration and having a voice as a young person growing up in West Wales. We would like to see elements of these themes incorporated into the project. This is an exceptional opportunity for pupils to work with a professional artist to explore a range of art techniques and skills, in a positive, creative, and holistic way whilst working with their environment and voicing what is important to them. If you are interested in facilitating this project, please, we invite you to submit your creative response to info@span-arts.org.uk in whatever format works best for you,
Winter Volunteer Workshops
We are delighted to present a programme of FREE creative workshops taking place at the Span Arts building and online across the next month! See below for the full schedule: CREATIVE WRITING with DEB WINTER 24 February 11:30am – 1:30pm (Online) All welcome to this lively Creative Writing workshop run by Deb Winter, a prize-winning writer & storyteller. All you need to bring is your imagination (& something to write with). You’ll surprise yourself as the words leap out of you onto the page! CLOG DANCING and SPOONS SESSION with JESS WARD & HOLLY ROBINSON 1 March 11:00am – 1:00pm (Span Arts building) Come along and celebrate St David’s day with some Welsh toe-tapping and spoon rattling rhythms! A relaxed and informal Welsh Clog Dance workshop led by experienced dance caller Jess Ward and accompanied by folk fiddler Holly Robinson playing traditional Welsh tunes. Clogs provided! WELSH TASTER with LEARN WELSH PEMBROKESHIRE 5 March 10:00am – 12:00pm (Online) Come and see what learning Cymraeg is all about! Suitable for complete beginners who have not studied Welsh before, this fun and informal session will be led by one of Learn Welsh Pembrokeshire’s friendly tutors. CREATIVE WRITING with KERRY STEED 9 March 11:30am – 1:30pm (Online)
SPAN Cyrraedd
An online artistic programme to reduce isolation and loneliness, alleviate fear, stress and boredom, and build community networks in Pembrokeshire.
This programme had its roots in Span Digidol, enabling us to respond quickly to the COVID crisis.
Span Arts x BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time
Span Arts welcomed BBC Radio 4 Gardeners’ Question Time to Narberth for the very first time on Tuesday the 28th of June 2022. Gardener’s Question Time has become a Radio 4 institution since its inception in 1947, and attracts 2 million listeners every week. Audience members had the chance to submit their questions to a celebrated panel of gardening experts during the recording of two episodes. Gardeners’ Question Time chair Kathy Clugston was joined by queen of pests and diseases Pippa Greenwood, house plant specialist and greenhouse grower Anne Swithinbank, and garden designer and long-time GQT expert Chris Beardshaw, fresh from another Chelsea gold medal. “The panel NEVER see the questions before the recording. Their encyclopaedic, seemingly effortless answers are completely spontaneous and reveal their huge experience and depth of gardening knowledge. Being on the GQT panel is not for the faint hearted!” BBC Radio 4. Previous panel members have been guests of a diverse range of gardening clubs and other organisations, broadcasting from within both Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street, and even atop Mount Snowdon! “After the pandemic cancelled our first attempt back in 2020, SPAN Arts is truly delighted to be able to bring BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners
The BIG Plant Sale
The 4th May 2024 will mark SPAN Arts’ 29th BIG Plant Sale in Narberth. The BIG Plant Stall is not only an important date in the gardening calendar, but it is also hugely important for SPAN as a charity; all profits from the stall will aid us in providing performances and arts experiences for people across the county. More details on this years’ event coming soon. Previous BIG Plant Sales have welcomed over 1,300 visitors flocking to see the impressive range of flowers, herbs and vegetable plants, as well as plenty of food and music for good measure. The event is held near the SPAN Arts building, Town Moor, Moorfield Road, Narberth, SA67 7AG. We have a number of pitches available for local businesses to book here, or speak with a member of our staff on 01834 869323. or email VCO@span-arts.org.uk This event is kindly sponsored by PPLPRS. Get Involved Each year, we are very kindly supported by a small army of volunteers who grow plants from seed and cuttings for donation to the sale. If you would like to donate any plants to the sale in aid of Span Arts, please contact us on 01834 869323 or email info@span-arts.org.uk.
‘Crafting The Song of The Golden Road’: a Short Film About the Making of the Radio Ballad
https://youtu.be/X2WHcrzotqY On 26th November a celebration event was held at Llwynhirion Hall in Brynberian, North Pembrokeshire to mark the end of the Ein Cymdogaeth Werin Preseli Heartlands project which Span Arts has played an integral role in delivering over the past three years. At the celebration event a short film about the project was shown. The film documents in particular the music making sessions for the project as well as the background to the project’s inspiration and aims. In 2018 Span Arts worked with Penny Jones and Nia Lewis on the project Stitching Stories which fused textiles, digital technology and heritage to create a patchwork quilt that told stories about the Preseli area when touched. This was followed in the Spring of 2019 with the Preseli Poetry Slam which engaged poet Karen Owen to conduct a series of writing workshops in schools and people’s homes culminating in a poetry slam at Newport Memorial Hall. Finally this Summer we have worked in partnership with Rowan O’Neill and PLANED to produce the Radio Ballad The Song of the Golden Road which was launched at a listening party at Tafarn Sinc on the 6th November 2021. A radio ballad is an extended sound piece
Shared Worlds – Creative Writing
An online artistic programme to reduce isolation and loneliness, alleviate fear, stress and boredom, and build community networks in Pembrokeshire.
This programme had its roots in Span Digidol, enabling us to respond quickly to the COVID crisis.
Art Well/ Celf Lles
An online artistic programme to reduce isolation and loneliness, alleviate fear, stress and boredom, and build community networks in Pembrokeshire.
This programme had its roots in Span Digidol, enabling us to respond quickly to the COVID crisis.
Cân y Ffordd Euraidd
Song of the Golden Road
Over the Summer of 2021 Span Arts worked with PLANED and artist Rowan O’Neill to produce a Radio Ballad in response to the Preseli Heartlands from Crymych to Cwm Gwaun. The Ballad titled The Song of the Golden Road was launched at a listening party at Tafarn Sinc on the 6th November 2021. A radio ballad is an extended sound piece weaving together oral speech, ambient sound, traditional songs and newly created music and lyrics. The work was created between May and October 2021 through a series of talks, walks, interviews and music workshops with sound material recorded at each event. The events took place at different locations throughout the Preselis encircling the Golden Road, a name given to the ancient trackway that runs across the Preseli ridge. The final bilingual programme is an hour in length and draws from the rich and deep material recorded, skilfully weaving together the lived lives and languages of the Preseli area. Artist and Community Producer Rowan O’Neill said, “It’s been incredible to be able to realise this wide-ranging project with the support of Span Arts and PLANED. It has engaged so many different people all connected by their love of the Preselis, the landscape and
Criw Celf
Criw Celf Primary is an Arts Council of Wales funded project for children who have shown a talent or special interest in art. Young people from Pembrokeshire, aged 9-11 applied to become part of this exciting creative project with SPAN. https://youtu.be/GCK-ZmkRz6k Now in it’s third year, the programme has featured in-person, outdoor sessions with local artists. Participants had the opportunity to enjoy five master classes led by professional artists, exploring a range of art techniques and skills. It is an amazing opportunity for the children to be part of an exciting creative project where they made new friends with similar interests and learnt new skills. Over a series of sessions the children stepped out into nature, focused on their surroundings, took what they discovered and turned it into a poem. They practiced new drawing and mark making techniques, as well as creating exciting textures with a variety of materials. Using their poems and textured materials they created their own fantastical 3D worlds within a box. At the end of the project, family and friends of these talented young artists gather for a very special private exhibition at the SPAN Arts building, Narberth. The exhibition also opened to the local community, who enjoyed the colourful displays that featured a wide array of techniques by
completed project
Haverfordwest Lantern Parade
Between 2015 – 2019, SPAN co-presented an annual River of Lights Lantern Parade in Haverfordwest. Initially, founded by spacetocreate, and presented in partnership with SPAN as part of The Lab; an arts and regeneration project for Haverfordwest, The River of Lights lantern parade grew into a spectacular and much loved event presented by SPAN in partnership with others. Haverfordwest has enjoyed 4 spectacular lantern parades since 2015 which have brought thousands of people together to share in a memorable, uplifting, much loved, family friendly event. This extraordinary participatory arts event quickly became a popular annual event on the Pembrokeshire calendar where artists and the community were brought together to create a memorable parade shaped by a new theme or story each year . River of Lights Lantern Parade was conceived to inspire a sense of community pride and belonging in Haverfordwest, through a large scale event that celebrated the river, the county town, the creativity of its people and its connections with the coastal communities that it serves. As part of each Lantern parade, drop in Lantern making workshops were held in a variety of settings in Haverfordwest and across the county, where hundreds of people together with artists and
completed project
Map Digi Penfro
Map Digi Penfro is an online deep map created by SPAN on which you can record information that is important to you about the places you live in and pass through. Text, data, photographs, drawings, audio recordings and even short films can be placed on the map capturing perspectives, memories, conditions, stories, data, etc about that site. See the map The project was developed throughout 2019 as part of Span Digidol, our 2 year digital art project starting with an intensive weekend at Garn Fawr in July 2019 followed by workshops in Narberth, Broad Haven and Newport. On each day, a group of school children and/or local residents went on a walk in their locality and recorded material on the map about local history, nature, geology, and their own memories and impressions. The result is a fascinating multi-faceted view of the place. And it was fun to do! The map remains online and can still be added to. It is very easy to use and there are instructions on the site. How to get involved If you are stuck at home looking for something to do why not have a look at the map? There is much of interest to see and hear. Equally you may have
