FROM 4th to 6th October, Swansea city centre came alive with creativity as thousands of residents and visitors gathered for the inaugural Swansea Arts Weekend, a celebration of arts and culture. We Are All Artists offered a dynamic mix of exhibitions, performances, and workshops across multiple venues captivating diverse audiences. Swansea Fringe added vibrant music, showcasing emerging talent, while Olympic Fusion, choreographed by the Matsena Brothers, delivered an exciting performance at Museum Park. An exclusive talk with the actor Michael Sheen encapsulated the very ethos of Swansea Arts Weekend, talking about the need to protect our culture and creative industries.
The sold-out ‘In Conversation with Michael Sheen’ on Saturday 5th October saw the renowned actor share insight into his career, the state of arts in Wales, and the opportunities for creatives in South Wales and beyond. Event attendees heard how the region inspired Michael for a young age, and even had the opportunity to ask questions of their own.
What’s more, the ‘Nye’ actor spoke of how he hopes to see the next generation of Welsh actors and creatives rising through the ranks ¾ noting that events such as Swansea Arts Weekend can play a vital part in inspiring people of all ages to engage with the arts.
Michael said: “I think it’s really important to celebrate what’s going on now [in Welsh arts]. We’ve got an amazing, rich history of the arts in this area, whether it’s performance or youth theatre, dance companies and orchestras. Amazing people have come from this area, so it’s really great to be able to celebrate that in an event like Swansea Arts Weekend.
“[The Arts] is not just a luxury’, or an add-on: it’s fundamental to who we are and how we live together, how we want to live together, and how to connect. There’s a lot in life that pulls us apart, and the arts are an incredible way for us to connect with each other, remind ourselves of what’s important to us, and, to point the way to the possibilities of the future.”
Councillor Elliot King, Cabinet Member for Culture, Human Rights and Equalities at Swansea Council, said: “Seeing the success of the first Swansea Arts Weekend has truly shown us that there’s a keen appetite for more, similar events in the city.
“The art exhibitions and interactive workshops held across Mission Gallery, Glynn Vivian, Galerie Simpson, Volcano Theatre, and Elysium Gallery gave visitors the chance to learn new skills and enjoy taking part in creative activities, from pottery to photography, dance classes and crafting, and much more.
“Olympic Fusion, choreographed by the Matsena Brothers in partnership with community dance and sports organisations, delivered a spectacular performance that drew hundreds to Museum Park.
Swansea Fringe – across The Bunkhouse, Elysium Gallery, Hangar18, Hippos, Pinatas, HQ Urban Kitchen and Ty Tawe – also welcomed fans of music, theatre and comedy, supporting grassroots creatives.
Overall, it was fantastic to see people of all ages enjoying Swansea’s cultural and arts scene. To second Michael Sheen’s response, the arts are truly beneficial for community connection, social cohesion, wellbeing and identity.
“We hope Swansea Arts Weekend encourages people to visit our cultural venues year-round to reap the benefits of arts engagement, and that the Weekend has opened the door for more events like this in future.”
Swansea Arts Weekend was developed and delivered by Swansea Council’s Cultural Services, as part of its Culture and Tourism Anchor, funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund. Michael Sheen took no fee for his appearance, dedicating his time to support the creative sector.
