Arts And Crafts In And Around Betws-Y-Coed

Monday, December 10, 2012
The official 'gateway to Snowdonia' and known as the first artists' colony in Britain, Betws-y-Coed attracts many visitors. With the entertainment and activities and a rich Welsh culture with traditions in poetry, music and pottery available in the area, it's a heart-warming and inspiring village. Being such a fine home for Welsh arts and crafts surrounded by enchanting backdrops and scenery, it's a fantastic place to explore the roots of Welsh culture and celebrate its artistic past, present, and future.
The Snowdonia Arts Festival is a popular event, when the village welcomes local artists and craftspeople to come together and celebrate their artistic heritage and talents, and showcase their goods. Many artists living and working in the area use this opportunity to promote their work, demonstrate skill and allow customers to meet them personally and ask questions. This exciting festival of all things creative includes historic and contemporary visual art shows, classes and workshops, music events, poetry and storytelling, with an exhibition of work by local school pupils.
Exhibiting work by leading Welsh and Wales based artists, Galeri Betws-y-Coed is said to be one of the most exciting new galleries in North Wales. The aim of this independent gallery is to 'provide quality arts and crafts to the people and visitors of Wales'. Their work includes originals, framed and unframed prints, photography, handmade crafts and gifts. You can also expect to see a range of exhibitions throughout the year. The gallery sells sweets as part of their own old fashioned sweets shop 'Ffatri Fferins'. Galeri Betws-y-Coed is open Monday through to Sunday, 10am till 5:30pm.
Also a popular little shop is Candlespower, run by owners Chris and Ash. They have been professionally pouring, hand crafting and personalising candles for almost 30 years. Each candle is made thoughtfully, with pride and outstanding attention to detail, providing completely personalised and unique candles. Their skill and expertise has led them to be widely recognised and gave them the opportunity to carve a large candle for Pope John Paul, during his historic visit to Wales. The candles are completely personalised for any occasion and taste; birthday, wedding or funeral, Candlespower offer a personal touch to your gift.
Pennant Crafts, located along the main road on the village entry, creates and sells handmade pottery and ceramics. Their products range from professionally made tableware to beautifully distinguished, decorative pieces. With a workshop on the premises, the pottery has been designed, created and glazed under the same roof ready for sale in the front of house. For items of such calibre, the products are of good value so Pennant Crafts is definitely worth a visit.

If you have access to a vehicle, the Corris Craft Centre near Machynlleth is definitely worth a visit. Around an hour's drive from Betws-y-Coed, the craft centre has nine craft workshops producing a wide range of hand crafted gifts, for your home and garden. The talented craftspeople produce a range of goods in front of your eyes, working away to make high quality and unique products and gifts such as Delyn Glass, Taran Eco Designs, the Candle Studio and Design a Kard. Just having had their 30th birthday party, the Corris Craft Centre celebrates its place in the arts and crafts community, continuing to deliver unique and contemporary products. Also starting from the Craft Centre is King Arthur's Labyrinth, an underground storytelling adventure, where visitors sail underground and through a waterfall to the past. A further attraction which also starts from the Craft Centre is Explorers, which provides visitors the opportunity to explore the abandoned workings of an old Welsh slate mine with one of Wales' top mine explorers. At the centre of all of these attractions is Y Crochan cafe where a wide range of hot and cold food and drink is served throughout the day.
With plenty of arts and crafts centres, stores and events in and around Betws-y-Coed, it's easy to get involved and become part of the traditions of Wales and even take a bit of it home with you. Easy, family entertainment rich in skill and learning, it's a great way to spend quality time with family and loved ones.

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