Oriel Q is moving to a fantastic ground-floor gallery space in the shadow of Narberth castle.

Keep an eye out for the new ‘Oriel Q Gallery’ hanging sign in white, turquoise and gold at the new location at the studio, 11 Market Street, just a short walk down from the island by the town’s War Memorial.

“The gallery will enrich the town by its presence and offer a showcase for the vibrant artistic talent of the local and wider area,” said artist Andrea.

“It will raise the profile of the community and promote a hub for artistic endeavour and education for young and old.

“It is a grassroots effort by a cohesive and experienced group who have run the gallery on the second floor of The Queens Hall before its fire and closure.

“It is ‘not-for-profit’ and volunteer-led with a great group of professionals and artists whose job it is to make the gallery not only interesting but sustainable for the future, retaining this independent Art Gallery for the whole community in South West Wales,” she continued.

Oriel Q Gallery opens its doors to the public on Friday, September 5 from 10 am to 5 pm.

The gallery will be open on Wednesdays to Saturdays, with events and workshops to be held on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Limited numbers of people may enter at a time, and there will be Covid-19 safety measures in place, a one way system, sanitisers and screens.

Exhibitions can also be seen online on the gallery’s website.

The re-opening will get underway with an exhibition planned earlier in the year by Jacqueline Jones.

The theme of the exhibition has now changed because of lockdown and social distancing, with its title now ‘The Socially Distanced Woman’.

Jacqueline is a painter from Porth near Tonypandy, who was brought up in Pembrokeshire at Llechryd. Her mother ran a bakery.

Recently she exhibited in London at the Mall Galleries, and is a member of The Welsh Group who has exhibited her work internationally.

She describes her work as figurative/expressive. She is inspired by the poetry and folklore of her native Wales.

“My work is primarily figurative - recently it has become more narrative and explores quirky places and legends,” said Jacqueline.

“We are living in strange times and this has made me contemplate the role of the artist as outsider in isolation.

“The title of my show at Oriel Q Gallery is in response to this. My painting ‘The Self-Isolating Woman’ has many layers.

“The myriad layers of interpretation through both my eyes and my vision and those of others.”

Following Jacqueline’s exhibition the gallery will hold the annual auction online, in October (with more details to follow).

If you would like to become a Friend of Oriel Q or a volunteer as a helper in any capacity, please contact Harry Addyman on 07917292774 or you can email: [email protected]

More information can be found on the website: www.orielqnarberth.com