The Upper Swansea & Dulais Valleys
Local Arts and Crafts Web Sites to help you enjoy this lovely part of South Wales

Black Mountain Gallery,  is run by local artists. By recruiting guest artists and sculptors they offer a unique range of art. www.blackmountaingallery.com  mark@blackmountaingallery.com

Tina Melford-Colegate is a local artist living in Ystradgynlais who paints both Landscapes and Portraits in her preferred medium of oils. From November 2nd 2002 she has her own exhibition at the Grand Theatre Gallery in Swansea where the full range of her work will be on show for three weeks. Many of her landscapes are local scenes in the Upper Swansea Valley. www.tcpaintings.com    tcpaintings@aol.com

Julie barnett (LBIPP) is a local photographer and graphic artist with a particular interest in the industrial and social history of the area. Her website describes the comprehensive catalogue of greetings cards which she produces including the sepia range on local subjects.  www.julz.org  e-mail: admin@julz.org

Cor-y-Gyrlais (The Gyrlais Choir) are based in Ystradgynlais and follow the long tradition of welsh male voice choral singing. Their musical director Meirwyn Thomas has lead them for over thirty years, during which time they have won National Eisteddfod honours. Visitors are welcome on  practice evenings.  www.ystalyfera.org/gyrlais.html

The Opera School Wales at the Adelina Patti Theatre in Craig-y-Nos Castle put on  operatic performances throughout the year. The small theatre was built by the Castle's former owner, the famous opera singer Adela Juana Maria Patti to entertain her guests.  Enthusiastic audiences still enjoy the unique character and atmosphere of this monument to one of opera's greatest divas.   www.operaschool.pattitheatre.com

The Pontardawe Film Club  shows films chosen by members but also welcomes non members to its programs in the modern cinema facilities provided by Pontardawe Arts Centre. As members of the British federation of Film Societies their  web site provides links to other clubs, film reviews and programming details. www.pontardawefilm.co.uk  dmrea@pontardawefilm.co.uk

Powys History Project's Upper Swansea Valley,  provides an interesting record of the valley, both past and present. Adelina Patti and Craig-y-Nos Castle, the Gough Family, the iron and steel industry and the internationally appreciated Ystradgynlais Male Voice Choir are all featured in detail.  http://history.powys.org.uk/history/ystrad/swanmenu.html
Learn the meaning of Welsh place names and how to pronounce them. See our simple guide
  
 
Contact our Web-master on gwernen@btconnect.com regarding site listings.  For other enquiries please contact the organisations listed above directly.