Our aim is to promote and develop the artist’s role in the public realm in Wales. To do this we will find and create opportunities for artists in regeneration schemes and new build developments, to have a creative input in terms of both design and implementation.
Our goal is to bring clients and artists together for the commissioning of site-specific artworks which exceed the clients’ expectations. We develop project briefs which both fulfil the requirements of the client and create interesting and attractive propositions for artists. We have extensive knowledge and understanding of artists’ practice in both the fine and applied arts and are constantly researching new artists to add to our database.
Since being founded in March 2007, Celfwaith has worked with local authorities, developers, charities, health boards, and universities to develop public art strategies, manage commissions and offer advice on many aspects of public art such as contracts and fundraising.
We have good links with art colleges and have delivered professional development seminars at UWIC (now Cardiff Met), University of Glamorgan (now USW), and Swansea Metropolitan.
Celfwaith is led by Mererid Velios who founded Celfwaith arts consultancy having been a Senior Project Manager for Cywaith Cymru. Artworks Wales for 5 years. There she was responsible for developing and managing commission projects and public art strategies. Mererid has also worked for the National Museum and Gallery of Wales, Cardiff, the National Library in Aberystwyth, and for the Sculpture Department of the Victoria and Albert Museum as a Curatorial Assistant.
Her particular interest is in the development of craft practice in the public realm and developing opportunities for craft practitioners to work on a larger scale.
Mererid is Chair of the Art Committee of the National Eisteddfod of Wales.
Celfwaith embraces team working and has a pool of expertise it can draw down for specific projects.
Simon Fenoulhet is an artist and public art specialist who works with Celfwaith on strategies and larger multi-commission schemes. He studied Fine Art at both Newport and Cardiff Colleges of Art gaining a Masters Degree in 1987. He has worked throughout Wales as an artist, exhibition organiser and public art consultant before his appointment in 1991 as Deputy Director of Cywaith Cymru.Artworks Wales. Responsibilities included the preparation of public art strategies for local authorities, the management of commission projects and the development of 'artist in residence' schemes. Since April 2005 he has worked freelance as an artist and arts consultant.
He is particularly interested in developing opportunities for sculpture in the public realm, especially where creative collaborations with architects and engineers can be established.
Simon is a National Advisor on the visual arts for the Arts Council of Wales.
Celfwaith has also collaborated with Geoff Wood of Workingparts and Chris Jones of Chris Jones Regeneration on strategy development, and artists such as Howard Bowcott, Heather Parnell, and Becky Adams on consultation and engagement activities.