NEVER mind the Tate – Carmarthen’s Oriel Myrddin is on its way to becoming a top class gallery.
A major redevelopment is planned for the town centre building, which will include remodelling of the existing gallery plus an extension into King Street.
The gallery, which is a listed Victorian building, is managed by Carmarthenshire County Council’s leisure services division.
It holds exhibitions, workshops, schools and college visits, outreach activities, artists’ talks, lectures and community projects.
The council is in the process of making an application to the Arts Council of Wales for capital lottery funding for the refurbishment work.
Executive Board Member Cllr Peter Hughes Griffiths said: “Plans for Oriel Myrddin are really exciting and ambitious, and if our bid for funding is successful we will aim to start work as soon as possible.
“Our ambition is for the Oriel Myrddin to become a first class gallery and visitor attraction, it already has a lot to offer and is extremely popular with visitors.
“This major investment would enhance its offer even more and bring increasing numbers of people into the town.”
The work would include upgrading the main gallery and the addition of a further gallery space.
The new building complex would include an expanded multi-use education and creative activity space, community and artist studio spaces, a café and a shop.
Cllr Hughes Griffiths added: “The Oriel Myrddin has a rich history dating back to the 19th Century, and this development will ensure it will have a bright future too.”
