Plas BrondanwSusan Williams-Ellis
Foundation (SWEF)
Foundation (SWEF)
post@susanwilliamsellis.org
01766 770590
post@susanwilliamsellis.org
01766 770590
We hold cultural and artistic activities at Plas Brondanw in order to promote the arts in the area, and to offer opportunities for people of all ages to socialize and express themselves creatively. We hold a program of talks, workshops, courses and events throughout the year. Keep an eye on these pages or on our accounts on social media to find out what is coming up.
For more details, or to reserve a place at an event contact us on 01766770590 or post@susanwilliamsellis.org. There is no need to reserve a place at exhibition openings, but places are limited for talks and workshops, so please reserve a place for these events, even when they are free to attend.
Brondanw Young Artists Club
First Saturday of the month
Time: 10 - 11:30am
The club aims to give children the opportunity to try diferent materials, work with experienced artists and develop their own art practice.
The club is aimed at children aged 6 and above, older children and teenagers are very welcome, we will do our best to tailor the activities to suit the audience.
As part of the Centenary celebrations for Portmeirion, the Susan Williams-Ellis Foundation (YSWEF), which is responsible for running the historic house and arts centre at Plas Brondanw, have organised this series of talks on aspects of the village’s history
Tuesday 3 November: 5-7pm
Talk 4: Wayne Colquhoun
Tyson Smith's Merman, Portmeirion, Liverpool and Me
This talk brings into perspective the long-established connection between Portmeirion and Liverpool through the association of Clough Willams-Ellis and Herbert Tyson Smith.
Wayne Colquhoun is a specialist in the restoration of historic and listed buildings. He specialises in Art Deco, Art Nouveau and the Applied Arts he also has a general knowledge with over 35 years’ experience. In 2015 he became a specialist on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow.
Tuesday 10 November: 5-7pm
Talk 5: Elin Gruffydd
Hercules, the hero who raised the roof
This talk is inspired by its setting: Hercules’ Hall in Portmeirion. Looking at the ceiling , which depicts various stages of the Greek hero’s life, Elin will explore different threads of the myth, from its origins to the famous Twelve Labours. The talk will consider themes of masculinity, social expectations and identity, and examine what it meant to be a hero in ancient Greece and beyond.
Elin Gruffydd is a film photographer from Pen Llŷn who has recently completed a BA and MA degree in Classical Studies through the Open University. In May 2025, she launched her first book: Sweet Melancholy. An odyssey from Enlli to Hydra, trwy lanw, trai a chwedlau, published by Parthian
Tuesday 17 November: 5-7pm
Talk 6: Meurig Jones
The Creative and Celebrity Attraction of Portmeirion
Since the beginning, Portmeirion has always attracted creative visionaries, who would be inspired by Sir Clough’s vision and wonderful sense of humour. For many, his ‘working with nature‘ ethos was enthralling. The talk will discuss Portmeirion’s many roles in film, television, and music. The stories will include Danger Man, The Prisoner, and The Beatles.
Meurig Jones is Portmeirion’s Locations Manager and has worked in the Village since 2004. That so many of Meurig’s heroes were inspired by Clough’s vision and then The Prisoner, has been inspiring him to collect the creative and celebrity stories of famous people’s time here, be they at work… rest… or play.
Tickets are priced at £15, £20 and £25. We hope these events will generate some income for YSWEF – a charitable foundation that aims to preserve and promote the Susan Williams-Ellis and other related archives, and to promote the arts – so please pay what suits your budget. There is no difference in terms of seating or provision for the different ticket types, everyone gets the same talk. Ticket price includes admission to Portmeirion from 4pm. Doors open at 5:00pm and the talk will commence at 5:30pm.
This series will be through the medium of English.