Welcome to Lle Celf Ddefnyddiol/ the Useful Art Space

Newly opened in autumn 2021, this space reflects our ethos of working collaboratively with local communities to address common themes through artistic means.

Lle Celf Ddefnyddiol is a gallery space with a difference, not only a space for display and contemplation but also a place for engagement, play, dialogue and learning. It is a place for generating artful ideas together in response to shared challenges, and a place to reimagine our individual and collective futures.

Lle Celf Ddefnyddiol, the Useful Art Space workshop leader

We have created Lle Celf Ddefnyddiol / the Useful Art Space because we believe art can be much more than something to look at or watch, we believe art can be a tool for social change.

The transformation of this space builds on the Useful Art approach that has underpinned Tŷ Pawb since opening in 2018 and is at the very heart of our work. Central to Lle Celf Ddefnyddiol is the interaction between arts and markets: we want to harness the innate creativity of market trading, exploring commonalities between what is
happening in the market hall and the work of artists at Tŷ Pawb.

Flexible furniture

The structures within the space have been designed and made by Tim Denton, in dialogue with playwork experts Ludicology. These have been designed to flexibly support a range of activity within the space, including weekly playwork sessions facilitated by local playworkers.

Lle Celf Ddefnyddiol, the Useful Art Space bespoke furniture

Lle Celf Ddefnyddiol the Useful Art Space workshop leaders

Lle Celf Ddefnyddiol the Useful Art Space wrexham

Lle Celf Ddefnyddiol, the Useful Art Space bespoke furniture

What is Arte Útil?

As we develop this space and the projects within it, we are linking with like-minded colleagues internationally, and the Association of Arte Útil. Arte Útil roughly translates into English as ‘useful art’ but it goes further suggesting art as a tool or device. Arte Útil draws on artistic thinking to imagine, create and implement tactics that change how we act in society.

A key feature of the space is the Arte Útil Archive, which platforms case studies of Useful Art projects from around the world. We have involved our communities in the launch of this space by featuring a number of arts projects that are useful and locally beneficial. These have been included in the Arte Útil international archive, part of which
appears here in several languages and is also available online at www.arte-util.org

artist in Lle Celf Ddefnyddiol the Useful Art Space wrecsam

family doing activities at Lle Celf Ddefnyddiol the Useful Art Space wrexham

Is art useful sign in Lle Celf Ddefnyddiol the Useful Art Space ty pawb wrecsam

Arte Útil projects should:

1) Propose new uses for art within society
2) Use artistic thinking to challenge the field within which it operates
3) Respond to current urgencies
4) Operate on a 1:1 scale
5) Replace authors with initiators and spectators with users
6) Have practical, beneficial outcomes for its users
7) Pursue sustainability
8) Re-establish aesthetics as a system of transformation

Our projects 2021/22

Bom Dia Cymru

Building on the links established during our lockdown project, Bom Dia Cymru 21-22 now aims to welcome the Portuguese Community into Tŷ Pawb in person, through a programme of regular creative sessions. These are led by emerging artist Noemi Santos, with support from experienced local artist Ticky Lowe, in collaboration with Wrexham’s Portuguese language speaking Community Interest Company, CLPW.

The project builds on practical creative skills that featured in Bom Dia Cymru 20-21, with a view to potentially creating items that can literally be taken to market.

adults enjoying arts and crafts workshop in ty pawb wrexham

Make Yourself at Home

Refugees and asylum seekers in the Wrexham area are working with artist Ibukun Baldwin The group are learning textile, ceramic, printing, embroidery, accessory and product design skills, working together to create products for sale in the market hall. The group are also practising spoken English during the sessions.

Ibukun Baldwin is an artist and social practitioner based in Manchester. After graduating with a First Class honors degree in textile design, Ibukun founded Bukky Baldwin LTD out of a growing awareness of the neglected needs of marginalised communities, and the potential within the creative industries to help. Ibukun is determined to use her company and creative experience as a tool for positive socio-economic change.

adult enjoying art and craft club at ty pawb in wrecsam

Glyndwr University

Glyndwr MA students have been using Lle Celf Ddefnyddiol as a creative learning space for the art & design MA suite since the start of term. Activities have included discussion and sketchbook sessions.

Reading group sessions focussing on a book chapter can be visualised using the facilities that the Lle Celf Ddefnyddiol space has to offer i.e. white boards and washable screens.

The ability to zone off smaller spaces with the Tim Denton specially-commissioned furniture has been highly valued by staff and students who are teaching different courses within the one space.

Community Photography Workshops with Hollie Gibson

Multidisciplinary artist, photographer and writer Hollie-May Gibson delivers photography workshops in our Lle Celf Ddefnyddiol.

Learn about the foundations of art and photography
Gain experience with professional equipment
Work with an artist
Meet other budding photographers
Contribute to documenting Wrexham and its people

entrance to Wrexham football ground from photography workshop at ty pawb

Family Art Club

Every Saturday from 10am-12pm we will have an artist-led session for children and their families to explore our galleries and develop imagination and making skills.

Play Sessions

A free open access playworker supported session.

This space is equipped for den-building, wall-drawing and imaginative loose parts play. We can’t wait to see what games, characters, forts and inventions you dream up!

Delivered by Wrexham’s Play and Youth Support Team.

colourful cloth for family activities at ty pawb in wrexham

Maes Parcio Creadigol (Creative Car Park)

Maes Parcio Creadigol (Creative Car Park) is a collaborative project between Tŷ Pawb, KIM Inspire, Addo and artists Marja Bonada and Owen Griffiths.

We are reimagining the flat roof area above our gallery – a disused part of our multi-storey car park – as an experimental green space where artists, communities and organisations can develop creative possibilities together.

This will include a shelter/outdoor workshop and storage space (currently under construction), with KIM Inspire group members involved in all aspects of the construction. Developing new skills, alongside building confidence, is a key aspect of the programme and thus far the participants have also tried their hand at willow weaving, mosaics and ceramics.

There will be potential to host events and informal gatherings, training and creative workshops. Effectively becoming an outdoor ‘Lle Celf Ddefnyddiol’ (Useful Art Space).

We will be working with our partners to create a programme that encompasses creative practices and action learning in order that other community groups and the wider public can benefit. This will include visiting other garden spaces regionally and national to imbed learning and develop partnerships, commissioning artists to enhance the space with activity, performance and physical artwork.

The project is in receipt of Arts Council Wales Connect & Flourish funding.

Tŷ Pawb’s roof space was initially imagined as a garden of change as part of Kevin Hunt’s Wal Pawb commission, ‘face-ade’, in 2019

gardening club pots and plants at ty pawb community centre, wrexham

gardening club plant beds on Ty Pawb carpark

gardening club green beans at ty pawb community centre, wrexham

Interested in working with us?

If you have a project you think might be suitable for Lle Celf Ddefnyddiol we’d love to hear from you!