Powys tour from start to ‘Finnish’

Powys has been chosen as the main focus of a study visit by a group of Culture and Heritage rural development practitioners from Finland.

The visit has been orchestrated by the Welsh Government’s Wales Rural Network (WRN) which is responsible for promoting the exchange of information and experiences between Wales and other EU countries as part of the Rural Development Plan for Wales 2007-2013.

Powys’ wealth of culture and heritage projects stood out to the European study group who are looking to discover how we link cultural projects to community and economic development and how artists work together in a rural environment.

The tour will start on March 12 at the Living Stones Heritage Trail at St Dogfans’ Parish Church, Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant, before moving onto Mid Wales Arts Centre in Maesmawr House to look at works by Stefan Knapp in the Sculpture Hall. Artists in attendance comprise of Nick Lloyd, Vivi Mari-Carpelan and Sasha Kagan.

On March 13, the international visitors will be attending an ‘Art in the Park’ presentation by Karen Latham at Penybont followed by a talk at the Thomas Shop about the history and restoration, which will also highlight how Glasu development funds have created the Wool Emporium and the Welsh doll Gwawr, created by Liz and Derek Turner.