Exhibition: Anthony Shapland - murmur
2026-07-11 - 2026-10-31 | Tŷ Pawb, Market Street, Wrexham, LL13 8BB
A new solo show by Cardiff based artist and writer Anthony Shapland, guest-curated by Marie-Anne McQuay. The exhibition includes a new film and will be accompanied by an integrated reading space and events programme reflecting Shapland’s interest in the intersection between art and writing.
Tŷ Pawb is delighted to announce a large-scale solo exhibition by Cardiff based artist and writer Anthony Shapland, opening Summer 2026. Anthony Shapland is a Welsh artist, founder of artist-led space g39 and novelist. Within his writing and artistic practice, he blends documentary and fiction, drawing on his lived experience of rural queerness and growing up performing straight.
Exhibition runs: 11 July – 31 October 2026
Preview and Press View: 10 July 2026
Shapland was recently selected as one of The Observer’s 10 best new novelists 2025 and Waterstone’s Welsh book of the year for his debut novel A Room Above a Shop (Granta), which tells the story of hidden intimacy between two men living in a South Wales valley in the late 1980s, during the time of Section 28. Continuing to work between the gallery and the printed page, whether in image, text or film, Shapland constructs intimate portraits of lives lived at the edges of rural landscapes, often filmed on location around Bargoed, the town in the Rhymney Valley where he grew up. His ongoing fascination with illusion and mimicry, reflecting the ways in which his protagonists seek to blend in with their surroundings, manifests in his use of the hidden techniques of traditional filmmaking, including props, backdrops, filters, artificial light and Foley sound effects. These cinematic devices in turn set up and then unpack coded narratives. Speaking also to other concealed lives, the artist asks, “What happens when you stay?”
Shapland’s exhibition at Tŷ Pawb will include a new film and builds on recent moving image work, including Starling Seven (2025), in which a montage of starlings copy and repeat man-made noises, and Between the Dog and the Wolf (2019) which encapsulates the artist’s interest in the cinematic illusion of shooting day for night. The exhibition will be accompanied by an integrated reading space and a dynamic public programme.
Shapland’s solo show will be guest-curated by long time peer and associate Marie-Anne McQuay, previously curator of Liverpool Biennial 2025, with Tŷ Pawb Creative Director Jo Marsh.
Anthony Shapland said: “I’m excited to be working at Tŷ Pawb – exploring the space between exhibition and publication, image and word and referring to a life lived in two parts, performed – never what it seemed on the surface. Nothing is what it appears to be, and an early desire to not stand-out, even after coming-out, has had a lasting impact on all of my work – filled with references to stage and backstage, to a performance of life. At Tŷ Pawb I’m keen to blur the line between inside and outside the gallery. “
Creative Director Tŷ Pawb Jo Marsh said: “We are absolutely delighted to be presenting this exciting new body of work by Anthony Shapland here at Tŷ Pawb next year. Anthony is a truly cherished Welsh artist, at a significant moment in his career. This solo exhibition offers us a fantastic opportunity to engage with Anthony’s beautiful, poetic and unique vision and celebrate his significant contribution to contemporary art in Wales. We can’t wait to share it with our visitors. Building on our initial partnership as part of the Venice Biennale 2019, working with independent curator Marie-Anne McQuay on this project, fresh from her role as curator of Liverpool Biennial 2025, is a dream.”
Guest Curator, Marie-Anne McQuay said: “I’ve followed Anthony Shapland’s practice for nearly 20 years and am so delighted to finally work with him on a solo show for Tŷ Pawb, Wrexham. I’m looking forward to sharing his incredible sensibility for observation and detail, which manifests both in his filmmaking and writing, with audiences next year”
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Family Art Club!
2026-07-11 10:00 - 12:00 (Europe/London)
Family Art Club celebrates creativity and play through hands-on making, painting and drawing. Every week we’ll reveal a treasure trove of art materials, loose parts and recycling themed around our exhibitions to be transformed into whatever artworks, models and fashion accessories you can dream up!
Family Art Club is suitable for children of all ages and we encourage parents, grandparents and carers to get stuck in too – this isn’t children’s art club, its Family Art Club!
– Please wear clothes you won’t be upset about getting messy.
– All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Booking
Family Art Club is a drop-in session, but we do recommend booking to make sure that you have a place during busier times. Places at Family Art Club are offered on a ‘pay what you can’ donation basis, so that you can choose how much to pay according to what your family can afford. Your donations support us in delivering an accessible arts service for local families.
Family Art Club Membership
You can buy a Family Art Club membership pack from reception for £9.99. This pack includes arty goodies to use at home and supports us in continuing to offer a pay-what-you-can service for families.

Matinée - Cyngherddau Amser Cinio Am Ddim
2026-07-15 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-07-29 13:00 - 14:00
Mae ein cyngherddau amser cinio poblogaidd am ddim yn dychwelyd am dymor newydd sbon.
Mae perfformiadau’n cynnwys cerddoriaeth glasurol a chyfoes a byddant yn digwydd yn y Gofod Perfformio yn Tŷ Pawb ar nosweithiau Mercher dethol o 1pm-2pm.
Mae mynediad am ddim – croeso i roddion.
RHAGLEN LLAWN:
27 Mai
Ensemble Cymru – Cyflwyniad i Gerddoriaeth Siambr
Elenid Owen (ffidil), Nia Harries (soddgrwth)
3 Mehefin
Stiwdio Opera Gogledd Cymru
Eve Callahan (soprano)
Ross Craigmile (piano)
17 Mehefin
Stiwdio Opera Gogledd Cymru
Khrystyna Makar (soprano Wcráin)
1 Gorffennaf
Heledd Newton
Telynores (Cerddor Ifanc Pendine Cymru 2024 yng Ngŵyl Gerdd Ryngwladol Gogledd Cymru)
15 Gorffennaf
Stiwdio Opera Gogledd Cymru
Samantha Lewis (mezzo-soprano)
Elizabeth Haughan (piano)
29 Gorffennaf
Rebekah Clarke
Perfformiad sielo unigol

Matinée - Free Lunchtime Concert: Samantha Lewis (mezzo-soprano) & Elizabeth Haughan (piano)
2026-07-15 13:00 - 14:00
Our popular free lunchtime concerts return for a brand new season.
Performances feature classical and contemporary music and will take place in the Performance Space at Tŷ Pawb on selected Wednesdays from 1pm-2pm.
Entry is free – donations welcome.
Samantha Lewis (mezzo-soprano) & Elizabeth Haughan (piano)
Mezzo-soprano Samantha Lewis and pianist Elizabeth Haughan present an intimate recital of British song, with British Sign Language, centred on the theme of enlightenment. Blending music, text (for all audiences) and audience interaction, the programme explores emotional, spiritual, and environmental awareness.
Featuring retellings of folk songs as well as more contemporary works including ‘I Wonder as I Wander’, ‘The Last Rose of Summer’, ‘The Estuary’, ‘King David’, ‘The Cloths of Heaven’ and ‘Song to the Seals’, the recital unfolds as a continuous narrative, with storytelling at its heart.
A distinctive interactive element invites audiences to engage with British Sign Language, enhancing accessibility and deepening connection, encouraging reflection on our relationship with the natural world and all of those in it.
Biography – Samantha Lewis
Samantha Lewis is a Shropshire mezzo-soprano celebrated for her warm, expressive tone, compelling stage presence, and deep commitment to making opera and song accessible to all.
A Masters and Advanced Postgraduate Diploma graduate of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Samantha originally trained in Veterinary Science at Harper Adams University before pursuing her passion for music. She graduated with Distinction, receiving both the Postgraduate Course Prize and the St. Clare Barfield Rosebowl for Operatic Distinction.
Samantha is in growing demand as a recitalist, oratorio soloist, and operatic performer. Recent highlights include developing the roles of The Mother and The Witch in Hänsel und Gretel (Humperdinck) and being Alto Soloist in a fully staged Messiah (Handel) with The Merry Opera Company (TMOC, 2025). Other notable roles include Hänsel (Hänsel und Gretel), Cendrillon (Cendrillon, Massenet), Martha (Iolanta, Tchaikovsky), Mercédès (Carmen, Bizet) with NWOS, Mary Magdalene (St John Passion, Bach), and Dorabella(Così fan tutte, Mozart) with Cumbria Opera Group, as well as Cherubino (Le nozze di Figaro), La Zelatrice (Suor Angelica), Mother/Other Mother (Coraline, Turnage), and Fanny Price (Mansfield Park, Dove). Samantha was selected for the Royal Opera House’s Jette Parker Artist Programme Mentorship Scheme, where she was mentored by acclaimed Australian soprano Lauren Fagen.
Passionate about accessibility and inclusion in classical music, Samantha actively incorporates British Sign Language (BSL) into her performances, using visual communication to enhance emotional expression and connect with deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences. Her innovative work took her to the Semi-Final of both the Pendine International Voice of the Future Competition (2022), as well as the London Song Festival Competition. A keen advocate of art song, Samantha was a Song Easel Young Artist (2025), performing Schumann’s Liederkreis, Op. 24, and was winner of The Edward Brooks English Song Prize. She has also recently become Director of Music at St. Oswalds Parish Church, Oswestry and has since been sharing the gift of sign through music.
Samantha is currently touring another recital programme, along with the one you’ll be hearing on the 15th, celebrating composers and poets from along the route between John O’Groats and Land’s End. This project lies at the heart of her artistic mission: to bring classical music and poetry to communities who may not otherwise experience live performance, to celebrate regional cultural heritage, and to foster accessibility and connection through inclusivity. She has recently brought this to The Whittington Music Festival last month, which was the first festival to actively support signed performances throughout the series, by the singer themselves. She is looking forward to more performances like this throughout the year.
Full Programme:
27 May
Ensemble Cymru – Introduction to Chamber Music
Elenid Owen (violin), Nia Harries (cello)
3 June
North Wales Opera Studio
Eve Callahan (soprano)
Ross Craigmile (piano)
17 June
North Wales Opera Studio
Khrystyna Makar (Ukranian soprano)
1 July
Heledd Newton
Harpist (Pendine Young Musician of Wales 2024 at the North Wales International Music Festival)
15 July
North Wales Opera Studio
Samantha Lewis (mezzo soprano)
Elizabeth Haughan (piano)
29 July
Rebekah Clarke
Solo cello performance

Free Play Sessions!
2026-07-16 16:00 - 17:30, 2026-07-23 16:00 - 17:30, 2026-07-30 16:00 - 17:30, 2026-08-06 16:00 - 17:30, 2026-08-13 16:00 - 17:30, 2026-08-20 16:00 - 17:30, 2026-08-27 16:00 - 17:30, 2026-09-03 16:00 - 17:30 and 3 more dates
Free Play Sessions!Term Time Thursdays16:00 – 17:30Free!
No need to book, just drop-in.Children under 5 must be accompanied by an adult.Child-led, active, creative, fun!

Home Ed Art Club
2026-07-17 10:30 - 12:00
Home Ed Art Club with Artist Sophie Nina
Fridays
10.30 – 12.00
Free, donations welcome.

Weekly practical creative activities inspired by our exhibition programme for EHE families.
Children of all ages welcome. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Dress for mess!
Optional participation in Arts Award Discover

Email teampawb@wrexham.gov.uk to book or for more information.

Volunteer in Our Rooftop Garden
2026-07-17 11:00 - 13:00, 2026-07-24 11:00 - 13:00, 2026-07-31 11:00 - 13:00, 2026-08-07 11:00 - 13:00, 2026-08-14 11:00 - 13:00, 2026-08-21 11:00 - 13:00, 2026-08-28 11:00 - 13:00, 2026-09-04 11:00 - 13:00 and 2 more dates
Volunteer in Our Rooftop GardenFridays11:00 – 13:00&14:00 – 16:00
Suitable for adults aged 18+All levels of experience welcome.For more information contact us via teampawb@wrexham.gov.uk or 01978 292150

Matinée - Free Lunchtime Concerts: Rebekah Clarke (solo cello performance)
2026-07-29 13:00 - 14:00
Our popular free lunchtime concerts return for a brand new season.
Performances feature classical and contemporary music and will take place in the Performance Space at Tŷ Pawb on selected Wednesdays from 1pm-2pm.
Entry is free – donations welcome.
Rebekah Clarke
• Gyorgy Ligeti, Sonata for Solo Cello (1948/53)
• Andrea Casarrubios, Armadura, for solo cello (2021)
• J.S. Bach, Suite for Solo Cello No.3 in C major BWV 1009.
• Giovanni Sollima, Fandango for solo cello (2016)
Full Programme:
27 May
Ensemble Cymru – Introduction to Chamber Music
Elenid Owen (violin), Nia Harries (cello)
3 June
North Wales Opera Studio
Eve Callahan (soprano)
Ross Craigmile (piano)
17 June
North Wales Opera Studio
Khrystyna Makar (Ukranian soprano)
1 July
Heledd Newton
Harpist (Pendine Young Musician of Wales 2024 at the North Wales International Music Festival)
15 July
North Wales Opera Studio
Samantha Lewis (mezzo soprano)
Elizabeth Haughan (piano)
29 July
Rebekah Clarke
Solo cello performance

Tŷ Pawb Comedy Night
2026-08-07 19:00, 2026-09-04 19:00
Join us on for an evening of side-splitting stand-up comedy from some of the UK’s best touring comedians!
Tŷ Pawb Comedy Night |
Join us every first Friday of the month for an evening of side-splitting stand-up comedy from some of the UK’s best touring comedians!
Glued together by Wrexham born and bred Kevin Caswell-Jones, veteran of the UK comedy circuit, in demand MC and writer for National institution – VIZ Comic.
Line-up to be announced
The food court will be open before the show and the bar will be open all night!
Tickets: £12
Doors: 7.30pm
First Act: 8.00pm
16+
BOOK HERE VIA EVENTBRITE
