All the Artists in Gwynedd

I looked around for 'possible' providers of art in Gwynedd and nearly had a heart attack !!! there are so many.

For a start there are several very famous artists, then there are the Craft Stall Holders, The Guilds, The students and the people dedicated to simply learning a new skill.
All this creativity is so wonderful, so many creative and busy people. What is more...the more people are involved in one aspect of creativity the more likely they are to become involved in other things.

Locally we have active and very busy groups of people from The Ardudwy Knights right through to The Theatre Company and so much more... I am delighted, I am enthralled.

There is so much more to become involved in that is not only sociable but productive.

Of course the odd night out in the pub is always a nice alternative to a night in with a vid' or DVD...but meeting people, sharing ideas. The Historical Society, the Women's groups...more and more I am becoming fascinated by life in a small village.

There are, and always will be, those who settle here for a quieter more isolated life, yet the spirit of camaraderie, the togetherness that has been built by dedicated people is something truly magnificent. Along the way you become friendly with like minded people, begin to discover aspects of their nature which have been hidden away for a while, the lady who spins at home, the man who plays the harp, the chap who is a whizz on guitar, all quietly getting on with their lives and sharing when it feels right, when it makes things good and enjoyable. No pressures, no must or must not phrases, just simple enjoyments with people who have similar ideals.

I compared some of what I see here, in my little village and realise how soulless the town, the city can become. Of course their are artistic and creative people in such places and in cities particularly there are thriving societies and groups which often get public funding....but you also have far more people who are not interested, won't join in or who are afraid of peers 'laughing' at them. Too disinterested in becoming a part of society.

Here in the village the people who do not join in...stand out like a sore thumb. It is far more likely that peers would question your absence from a group or society than comment on you joining. be it the local rugby team, the golf or the cricket, the scuba diving or the marina crowd, the Theatre or one of the dozens of action groups involved in a specific interest....you belong and because you belong...others approach you and so on.

All of this has rushed into my brain far more today than any other day, simply because I am seeking artists, creative people with creative products for a venture. I suddenly realised it isn't a matter of actually finding artists...its going to be a matter of sorting through the many...what a wonderful thing indeed. Not seeking gold amongst the dross, but seeking platinum amongst the gold.

Yet again, I feel blessed.