The Riverside: Information
Contemporary Welsh Art
Celebrating contemporary art in Wales in a new exhibition
On 12 April a new exhibition celebrating contemporary Welsh art will open at the Riverside Gallery, Haverfordwest. The CYFOES: Celf Cymru Heddiw · Contemporary Welsh Art exhibition will showcase a selection of new artworks, all created within the past decade, from the Art Collection at the National Library of Wales.
The exhibition will include oils, sculptures and mixed media works, and will include works by both young and established artists. The majority of works are by female artists.
The CYFOES exhibition will offer a glimpse into the vibrant world of contemporary art in Wales, dealing with modern influences and topics such as the Covid-19 pandemic and identity. It will also represent the changing face of art in Wales today as bold new ideas and fresh perspectives on Welsh culture are conveyed through the works on display.
Exhibition highlights include Dannedd Dodi by Anya Paintsil, HorseHead by Dr Adéọlá Dewis; Blodeuwedd by Natalia Dias and Moelni Maith by Lisa Eurgain Taylor.
Rhodri Llwyd Morgan, Chief Executive of the National Library of Wales said:
“The Library is home to over 60,000 works of art, and it is essential that we share as many as possible with the public. Our gallery at the Riverside Library enables us to share them with audiences beyond our site in Aberystwyth. The contemporary works in this exhibition are an opportunity for us to show how we continue to collect to ensure that the collection reflects contemporary Wales.”
Mari Elin Jones, Interpretation Officer at the National Library of Wales said:
“We are glad of this opportunity to share a special selection of works of art by some of Wales' leading contemporary artists and extremely proud to be able to share so many works by female artists. The aim of the exhibition is to celebrate the richness of contemporary art in Wales and its continued vitality in interpreting the world today.”
Events will be held to coincide with the exhibition, details of which will be published on the National Library of Wales’ website (opens in a new tab) over the coming weeks.
Showing alongside the CYFOES exhibition is the permanent exhibition Pembrokeshire: Past and Present, focusing on the history, culture and landscape of Pembrokeshire.
Both exhibitions will run until Saturday 11 October 2025.
For more information visit:
- Pembrokeshire Libraries Facebook page (opens in a new tab), or
- call Glan-yr-afon/The Riverside on 01437 775244.
The Riverside
The Riverside, opened in December 2018, is a flagship cultural facility in the heart of Haverfordwest town centre.
The result of an exciting partnership between Pembrokeshire County Council and The National Library of Wales (opens in a new tab),
The Riverside features:
- Library - A 21st century library space, blending traditional book stock with online access and self-service technology.
- Gallery - A venue of national significance, in partnership with The National Library of Wales, bringing some of the nation’s treasures to the county.
- Visitor Information - A first stop for the county’s visitors, highlighting holiday hotspots and hidden gems.
- Children - A castle-themed area, complete with children’s reading tower and an interactive story wall.
- The Life Hub - The Life Hub: Ways to Wellbeing features a wealth of information on ‘Health and Wellbeing’, and ‘Work and Money Skills’.
- Coffee Shop - A perfect spot to meet friends, enjoy a good book or unwind with a coffee and a riverside view.
Funding to build the facility came from a range of sources including:
- Pembrokeshire County Council
- Welsh Government (opens in a new tab)
- the Wolfson Foundation (opens in a new tab)
- the Foyle Foundation (opens in a new tab)
- Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority (opens in a new tab).
Haverfordwest Town Council (opens in a new tab) have given a five-year funding package to ensure the library is able to open throughout the year on Saturday afternoons, the previous library having been open on Saturday mornings only.