A Powys community crafts and skills group is marking a milestone, as it celebrates 30 years of culture in the community.

Following a busy 2023 that saw it host more than 300 workshops across Powys, Arts Connection has announced a number of special events for 2024 as it mark 30 years since it was founded in March 1994.  

When the group was founded it was run by just five Mid Wales artists, devoted to bringing finding funds to create spaces for the community to come together for creative collaborations.

To celebrate three decades of their aim to inspire people in Mid Wales to participate in the arts, hoping to enhance their creativity and wellbeing, the group is holding a number of events to mark their 30th year in operation.

Commenting on the anniversary year, a spokesperson said: “Arts Connection/Cyswllt Celf are incredibly proud to be announcing their upcoming celebration of 30 fantastic years at the forefront of Culture and Community Arts in Mid Wales.

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“From their small central office at the Workhouse in Llanfyllin they are digging deep into their archives to create a rolling programme of online remembrances in 2024. These celebrations will culminate at the Solstice in June where they are helping to host the rebirth of the famous Workhouse Party with bands, DJs, Workshops, Circus and a curated exhibition featuring many many moments from its past.

“From its humble beginning as an artist-led coalition the Charity has grown and evolved and pushed forward in its mission to create space and time for people to engage and participate in the Arts.

“Since 1994 we have found and invested over £3 million into the local economy and provided work opportunities for well over 3,000 Artists, Enablers and Volunteers. Each penny spent has been directly responsible for magical moments and memories made.”

The charity estimated that their team of artists and volunteers has helped them deliver over 13,000 workshops, performances and exhibitions in their 30 year history.

They added: “The organisation is flourishing and continues to somehow see off the challenges of austerity and funding cuts to fly the flag for community creativity, at a time when things in the wider world feel ever more difficult let’s rejoice and remember the good things in life.

“A lot of this wouldn’t be possible without our main funder, the Arts Council of Wales, who have supported us since pretty much the beginning and with whom we have been a revenue client since 2002.”