Art workshops are forced to fold (From Penarth Times)

Art workshops are forced to fold

PENARTH'S Washington Gallery has received a devastating blow after the Arts Council withdrew an annual grant that helps run a series of workshops for the community.

The announcement has meant the gallery cannot afford to continue running its Education and Outreach Programme, which worked closely with disadvantaged and disabled children.

Charlie Thomas, who is the education officer for the project, said: "We've sent out letters telling the artists and the community groups the news.

"It was a shock to us because we were led to believe we were getting the grant."

The scheme, which began in 2000, relied heavily on an annual grant that supported the organisers' and artists' incomes.

Artist Harriet Hill is currently teaching a felt workshop.

She said: "I rely a lot on this type of work. It is a large part of my income. The workshops are the future of art and public awareness. It opens up different possibilities.

"Work produced from the workshops then goes on display in the gallery and cafe."

Maggie Knight, who runs the Washington Gallery, said: "We couldn't believe what they'd done. We committed ourselves to the workshops. There's no doubt we need more money."

The workshops take on a broad range of people who want to learn and further their skills in a variety of art.

She added: "It started to be a place where people could go to learn. It was the first of its kind in the area."

The gallery may now find it difficult to obtain new funding to continue the work of the schemes.

The withdrawal of the grant may also jeopardise the gallery's position with the charity commission.

Head of Communications for the Arts Council of Wales Iestyn Davies says it is due to the lack of Lottery funds.

He said: "It is highly likely and highly regrettably that quality community projects will suffer, mainly due to the downturn in Lottery funding. The problem is we've got so many good projects we just can't support them all. We've had to accept the reality."

The Washington can now appeal against the Arts Council for rejecting their funding.