Community art exhibition returns after three-year Covid break

More than 50 artists, writers and poets have had their work displayed as the Vanguard Centre’s Arts, Crafts and Literature exhibition, which has returned for the first time since the Covid pandemic.

The community centre, which is on Van Road, Caerphilly, started hosting the annual event 12 years ago – but it was last held in 2020.

“Although it’s an exhibition, it’s not a competition,” said John Wade, who is on the Vanguard Centre’s management committee. “There are no winners or losers here, it’s more of a service to the community.”

The exhibition was on display between April 19 and April 26, with more than 100 artworks from Caerphilly artists attracting around 30 to 40 visitors to the centre each day.

“The exhibition is a way to give artists and writers across the community to come in and showcase their work,” said Mr Wade.

The best pieces of work were picked out by judges Jackie Askey and Caerphilly Senedd Member Hefin David.

Dr David said: “I’m thrilled to have been invited back to see the extraordinary creativity and talent that exists across Caerphilly.

“The standard of work just gets better and better every year and it’s always so difficult to choose one winner.”

Artist Ceris Griffiths won for the art section of this year’s competition with her watercolour painting Sommer Hols, while Susan P Jones clinched the award in the literary section for her story Alice.

“The winning piece really stood out to me – the lines and the bright colours used,” said Dr David. “It reminds me of the work of the artist David Hockney.

“I’d like to congratulate Ceris on her win and thank her for getting involved – her artwork brightened up our day.”

Mr Wade said: “Hefin David has been coming here for the last few years and we just asked him to pick a painting that he would accept on the wall of his house or in his office.”