After an absence of two years due to restrictions on events across the country due to the Covid pandemic Abergavenny Arts Festival is launching this year’s festival with a Taster Day on Saturday, March 12.

The event will take place at the Melville Centre for the Arts, Pen-Y-Pound, Abergavenny, between 11am and 2pm.

Organisers say entry is free, as are all the activities and there will be free “Goody Bags” for the first group of visitors to arrive, so don’t be late!!

A packed programme is planned with a selection of performances and activities for everyone.

In the Theatre there will be performances by Synergy Choir, AAODS Juniors with a taster of their up and coming show “We Will Rock You”, along with two talented singers, Russell Jones Junior and Cae Williams, plus a display from Tai Chi Music and Movement and music from Dan James and Martha Skelton.

You can relax with a cup of tea or coffee in the café and listen to a selection of acoustic performances by local musicians including Tom Murray, Ronnie Three Cords, The Sax Pistols, Michael Parker, Jim Ramsey and James Chadwick.

Then there’s a Mini Arts Market with a selection of talented artists and makers who will have beautiful, unique items for sale.

Exhibitors will include Tracey-Anne Sitch - wildlife artist; Jackie Poulter - jeweller; Alison Powell - ceramacist; Annamarie McHugh – jeweller as well as artists Sally Mills, Andrew Smith, Emma Rhydderch Pryce and Pauline Price.

They will all have beautiful, unique items for sale.

Artwork created by pupils of Deri View Primary School for their recent Eisteddfod will be exhibited in the corridors.

Finally, a selection of “hands on” workshops and demonstrations have been planned for all ages to enjoy.

The Big Skill will be running a ‘Recycling Art’ session.

Alison Powell and Mary Cousins plan a ceramics workshop for kids, Tracey-Anne Sitch will demonstrate how she creates her stunning wildlife paintings and Jan Thomas, Textiles at The Weir will show you how she creates her textile landscapes using an embellishing (Felting) machine.

Pam Wesson will also be displaying The Quilt of Humanity created during the pandemic and there will be the opportunity to “Stop and Stitch” a square to add to the New Quilt of Humanity.

So do come along and join in the fun!

All timings will be published on our Facebook Page – Abergavenny Arts Festival and on our website abergavenny arts festival.com

The main festival is on Saturday, June 18 so keep the date free.