Welcome to Wales REACH Digital Exhibition
Every community has stories worth telling.
Wales REACH (Residents Engaging with Arts, Culture and Heritage) brought communities across Wales together to explore local history, share memories and discover the stories held in everyday places.
History isn’t only found in museums or books. It lives in people and places – in streets, buildings, rivers, coastlines and the memories we share. Through art, photography, film, music, writing and making, people explored the heritage and places that matter to them. Along the way, they learned new skills, made connections and created work that celebrates their communities and experiences.
This digital exhibition brings together the creativity and stories produced throughout Wales REACH. Some of this work has been shown in local exhibitions and at St Fagans National Museum of History. Much more was created along the way. Here, you can explore it all.
Five communities. Many stories.
Wales REACH worked with people in five areas across Wales, each bringing their own experiences, histories and ideas.
Across generations, they shared stories and celebrated the different traditions and experiences that have shaped their community.
Cardiff, Rhondda Cynon Taf and the Vale of Glamorgan >
Adults with learning disabilities explored identity, pride and belonging through photography, painting, music and making. Their work celebrates being seen, being heard and expressing who they are. View Community
Pembrokeshire >
People in Milford Haven, Haverfordwest and Pembroke Dock explored connections to landscape, language, food and local history. Their work tells stories of journeys, community and finding a sense of home. View Community
Dyffryn Nantlle >
People explored the histories and landscapes of the Nantlle Valley, drawing inspiration from family, farming, slate quarrying, traditional crafts and the natural world. View Community
Sandfields, Port Talbot >
People explored memories of the beach, industry and growing up in Sandfields, alongside stories of nature, creativity and a community adapting to change. View Community
Butetown, Cardiff >
People explored identity, food, migration and memories of home. Across generations, they shared stories and celebrated the different traditions and experiences that have shaped their community. View Community
Together, the creative work from these communities show that there is no single experience of Wales. Every community is different, and every voice adds something to the story of Wales.
Explore the exhibition and discover the people, places and creativity of Wales REACH.
Sharing our stories
Work created through Wales REACH has also been shared through community exhibitions across Wales, at Wales Told by Us at St Fagans National Museum of History, and through free online learning on OpenLearn.
Thank you to everyone who shared their stories, memories, ideas and creativity, and to the organisations whose support made Wales REACH possible.
Explore by community
Here you can explore the artworks from each specific community
Adults with DisabilitiesAdults with Disabilities Across Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan and Rhondda Cynon Taf
People with learning disabilities living in Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT), Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan (VoG) have both a diverse range of interests and a strong collective history of community support and advocacy.
CardiffButetown, Cardiff
Butetown, sometimes known as Tiger Bay, is a vibrant district in Cardiff that blossomed into one of the UK’s first multicultural communities, with people from over 50 countries calling it home by the early 20th century.
GwyneddDyffryn Nantle, Gwynedd
Dyffryn Nantlle, nestled in the heart of Gwynedd, is renowned for its stunning landscapes and rich geology. The valley’s vibrant Welsh-speaking community has a long history with the slate industry.
PembrokeshireMilford Haven and Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire
Milford Haven, Haverfordwest and Pembroke Dock have a rich history deeply connected to trade and livings made from the waterways and the sea.
Port TalbotSandfields, Port Talbot
Sandfields in Port Talbot, an area originally developed to house steelworkers, boasts a rich history closely linked to heavy industry.
EXPLORE THE EXHIBITION
There are several ways to explore the exhibition. You can jump straight to a specific community, choose to view work by Tags, such as the artworks theme or material, or search using keywords.
FEATURED EXHIBITS
Adults with DisabilitiesCanals of Cardiff
Collage exploring the lost Glamorganshire canal buried under Cardiff city centre
GwyneddNature’s Remedies
Linoprints inspired by the botanical illustrations of the Llysieulfur Teuluaidd (Family Herbal) of Jones Llanllyni (1862)
PembrokeshireReach Back in Time
Collaborative textile art in the shape of the river Cleddau, reflecting the makers connection to the waterways
Adults with DisabilitiesOur Wales Is Creative (Mural)
Mural showing the wildlife of the abandoned Cwm Coke Works, including the unique Beddau Beast
Port TalbotWeaving the Bees
3 willow bees celebrating the community garden’s creation and the rare carder bees found in Port Talbot
GwyneddThe Quarrymen
Double-exposure portraits of slate quarry workers from Dyffryn Nantlle, taken by primary school pupils
PembrokeshireGood Food from the Garden
Recipes for a lunch made of food grown in their own community garden, on paper dyed with plants from that garden
GwyneddWalking in their Footsteps
8 paper mache boots made of local newspapers, inspired by a historical pair of local Quarryman’s boots
Wales REACH partners
The Open University in Wales, Amgueddfa Cymru, Adra, ateb Group, Codi Group, First Choice Housing Association, Innovate Trust, Taff Housing Association, Yr Orsaf, People’s Collection Wales, Museums Federation Cymru, Public Health Wales, Arts Council of Wales
Wales REACH was made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we have been able to explore the stories and histories of communities across Wales through the creative arts
