Do the Little Things is a new public artwork designed for Ferns, Wexford and St Davids, Pembrokeshire. Three oversized skeps (traditional beekeeper’s hives) made from cedar wood are being installed in both locations. These living sculptures contain bee colonies that are being cared for by local beekeepers and community groups, who will be harvesting and selling honey in labelled jars designed by the artist and local school children.

Artist Bedwyr Williams says: “I’m interested in objects that invite communities to become active participants to make the artwork whole. St David’s last words were “Gwnewch y pethau bychain” or “Do the little things.” This ethos has guided the development of my proposal, which is steeped in the magic and history of these two intertwined locations.”

Sited in the grounds of St David’s Cathedral, the first edition of the work opens to the public on Friday, September 16 from 3.30pm. The launch will bring community groups to the site with a questions and answers session with the artist and local beekeeper Gayle Twitchen, storytelling, and a performance of ‘The Bee Song’ by children from Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi led by composer Sam Howley. The event is free and all are welcome.

“Bees have linked St Davids and Ferns since the sixth century when St David gifted a hive of bees to St Aidan to keep, after the monastery bees twice followed their favourite monk home to Ireland and had to be brought back,” said the Very Rev’d Dr Sarah Rowland Jones, Cathedral Dean. “We’re delighted to welcome this striking symbol of the ties between us.”

The launch at Ferns will take place later in the Autumn, providing a second opportunity to celebrate this extraordinary artwork.

Bedwyr Williams’ distinctive proposal was selected from a shortlist and has been realised with the support of Contemporary Art Society Consultancy. It was commissioned by Ancient Connections, an EU funded cross border arts, heritage and tourism project.

Do The Little Things will also mark the beginning and end of the new pilgrim route between St Davids Cathedral and St Edans Cathedral in Ferns - another legacy of the Ancient Connections project. Managed by The British Pilgrimage Trust, the Wexford-Pembrokeshire Pilgrim Way will encourage low impact tourism in both regions and will open to the public in 2023. Similarly, sustainability and a respect for the environment are at the heart of the artwork, which is endorsed and supported by the local authorities of Pembrokeshire and Wexford in partnership with local organisations and community groups.

• Bedwyr Williams is an internationally regarded artist who lives and works in Wales. Williams’ work often focuses on the stories of ordinary people and the intersections between their lived experiences and ancient mythologies. The artist is concerned with creating spaces for meaningful connections between communities and art and making.

• Ancient Connections is led by Pembrokeshire County Council, together with partners Wexford County Council, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and Visit Wexford funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Ireland Wales co-operation programme.