Artist Rhiannon Howells is re-opening 10 West Street Art after spending more than three years transforming the much-loved Fishguard town centre property into an art gallery.
For almost two centuries, the building at 10 West Street has been a cornerstone for Fishguard’s community, as a general store, a photography studio, a building society, and much more.
Artist Rhiannon Howells at the opening of her gallery 10 West.Art (Image: Western Telegraph)
In 2023, Rhiannon took over the disused property with a vision to breathe new life into the building as an art gallery — one that will serve and reflect north Pembrokeshire’s vibrant arts community. She has spent the past three years renovating the building, bringing it back to its former glory.
The gallery opened yesterday evening, Tuesday, August 25, with an inaugural exhibition of work by Rhiannon’s and nine other artists, including Welsh artists Cherry Pickles, Recycle to Art and Pembrokeshire-based Ella Starling.
10 West.Art Fishguard opened on Tuesday, August 25. (Image: 10 West.Art)
Othe artists exhibiting include Garry Edmiston Taylor, Jan Basarab, Curtis Radcliff, Angus Whitty, Geoff Titley and Neil Pinkett.
Raised in Wales, Rhiannon graduated in Fine Art Painting at Central St Martins. Despite spending more than 30 years working and living in London, she has always taken inspiration from the natural world, specifically the raw coastal beauty of Wales and the west of England. Her work is an expression of emotive responses to landscape using collage and painting.
The exhibition includes work by Rhiannon who graduated in Fine Art Painting at Central St Martins. (Image: Western Telegraph)
For the inaugural show, 10 West.Art, Rhianon has curated her own work with pieces from nine other artists, many of whom she has collaborated with throughout her life. The show represents a range of visual approaches, materials, ideas. While each piece tells its own story, Rhiannon’s own life provides the connective tissue for the collection.
The opening of the gallery brings an ever increasing at and artist presence to Fishguard, other new galleries to recently open in the area include Bakers @70; Ty Clai; The Lighthouse Gallery and The Rowan Tree Art Gallery.
10 West.Art Fishguard opened on Tuesday, August 25. (Image: 10 West.Art)
The twin towns of Fishguard and Goodwick are definitely on the up with more than 25 business opening in under two years.
For Rhiannon, 10 West.Art is more than an art gallery, it represents a life in art, the importance of community, her love of the land and sea.
“This is an incredible part of the world with an incredible arts community,” she said. “To bring my own work to Fishguard, and to share the work of artists I love, means the world to me.”
The gallery is showcasing work by ten artists. (Image: 10 West.Art)
10 West.Art at 10 West Street, Fishguard is open Tuesday to Saturday 10am-4pm, or by appointment. Contact: rhiannon@10west.art