Celebrating Welsh Language, Culture and Creativity at Swansea College of Art
Students, staff and leading Welsh artists came together at Swansea College of Art, part of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, to celebrate the Welsh language, culture and creativity as part of the College’s annual St David’s Day programme.
Coinciding with the national celebration of Welsh culture, the College hosted a series of artist talks, workshops and award presentations recognising the contribution of students and staff who actively promote the Welsh language through their creative practice and learning.
Third-year students from across Swansea College of Art were recognised with special St David’s Day Awards for their commitment to the Welsh language throughout their studies. Over the course of their three-year degree programmes, the students have engaged with the language in a variety of ways, including incorporating Welsh themes into their artistic work, participating in discussions through the medium of Welsh and completing written assignments in Welsh.
Student award recipients included:
- Graphic Design: Lewys Davies and Sephy Canty
- Design Crafts: Seren Trodden and Anna Jones
- Product and Furniture Design: Ffion Williams and Aeron England
The awards were presented by respected Welsh artists who had been visiting the College as part of the St David’s Day programme, reinforcing the strong connection between contemporary creative practice and Wales’ cultural heritage.
As part of the celebrations, students also had the opportunity to learn directly from leading practitioners working across Wales’ creative industries. Fine Art and Photography students attended a lecture by renowned Welsh artist Iwan Bala, whose work explores Welsh identity, culture and landscape through painting, drawing and assemblage, often incorporating text, poetry and imagined cartographies reflecting the cultural and political narratives of Wales.
Graphic Design students welcomed Guto Evans, founder of the Welsh design studio Elfen, who shared insights into contemporary graphic design rooted in Welsh language and culture. His studio works across branding, typography and visual identity, supporting Welsh-language businesses and cultural organisations.
Students studying Design Crafts and Product Design took part in a lecture and practical workshop with glass artist Rhian Haf, whose sculptural work combines traditional glassmaking techniques with contemporary design approaches inspired by landscape, light and material exploration. Surface Pattern students also participated in a hands-on workshop with artist and designer Julia Griffiths Jones, whose work explores print, pattern and decorative surfaces, often translating elements of the Welsh landscape and cultural motifs into contemporary design.
Alongside the student awards, a St David’s Day Staff Award was presented to Charlotte Rogers from Hwb Dynevor in recognition of her dedication to supporting Welsh language activity within the creative community. The award was presented by Gwenllian Beynon. Charlotte said:
“The Welsh language means so much to me, it was truly very special to be recognised in this way. I’m thankful to be in a role where I can use it every day.”
The celebrations form part of the University’s wider commitment to supporting Welsh-medium education in higher education. The programme of artist visits and awards has been made possible with the support of the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, which works to promote and develop Welsh-medium study across universities and further education colleges in Wales.
Together, the talks, workshops and awards celebrated the breadth of creative practice emerging from Wales today, while encouraging the next generation of artists and designers to explore and express Welsh language, identity and culture through their work.
Caroline Thraves, Academic Director of Art, and Media at UWTSD said:
“Celebrating St David’s Day at Swansea College of Art is a wonderful opportunity to recognise the creativity, commitment and cultural awareness of our students and staff. The Welsh language is a vital part of our identity as a university in Wales, and it is inspiring to see students exploring and expressing that identity through their artistic practice. By bringing leading Welsh artists into the College and recognising those who actively engage with the language in their studies, we are helping to ensure that Welsh culture continues to thrive within contemporary art and design.”
Further events celebrating Welsh culture and creativity will take place throughout March.
Further Information
Lowri Thomas
Principal Communications and PR Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: lowri.thomas@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07449 998476