PUPILS from Lampeter are working with an artist to create a new mural.

Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru has been working with 16 pupils from Ysgol Bro Pedr in Lampeter, thanks to funding from Western Power Distribution (WPD) and the Arts & Business Cymru CultureStep programme.

TGC said the project has the “aim of working creatively with young people who had not previously engaged with the arts”.

The company has arranged bilingual workshops with pupils – who are part of the school’s additional educational needs department – to create a mural inspired by their local area.

The artist Siôn Tomos Owen is leading the workshops and working with the young people to create the mural.

Using the arts as a medium, the project also educates the pupils about staying safe around electricity, and the mural will include WPD’s Superhero character Pylonman, a children’s character created by WPD.

Rhian A. Davies, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru’s executive producer, said: “We warmly welcome this opportunity to work with WPD, raising awareness of their work and developing a new artistic partnership with them and Ysgol Bro Pedr.

“At Theatr Gen, we’re eager to collaborate with more commercial companies like WPD and we’re delighted to have this opportunity of doing so.”

Karen Welch, from Western Power Distribution, said: “We believe it is vitally important to educate young people about the key role electricity plays in our lives – and the dangers involved when it is not treated with respect.

“Our educational website is dedicated to teaching youngsters from across our regions about how to stay safe around electricity.

“We are pleased to be working in partnership with Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru and delighted they have been able to deliver this project virtually during these difficult and trying times.

“We are looking forward to seeing the mural when it has been completed.”

Anita Jacob, Life Skills department co-ordinator at Ysgol Bro Pedr, said: “The pupils and staff are really enjoying the sessions to create a new mural representing the Life Skills department at Ysgol Bro Pedr.

“The pupils have expressed their opinions and have been enthusiastic to participate and develop their thinking and creative skills.

“As pupils and staff, we are grateful for this opportunity and excited to see the mural on display in the school’s main reception.”

As the artist leading the workshops, Siôn Tomos Owen added: “I’m enjoying the challenge of this project as it’s not the traditional way of creating a mural due to the circumstances.

“Working with pupils from the Life Skills group at Ysgol Bro Pedr has been great; they have been discussing their ideas in the online sessions and working hard on their illustrations. I’ve really enjoyed working with them on this project.”

This project is part of Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru’s participation and skills development programme, which has included almost 9,000 participants since the beginning of 2020.

More information about the company’s participation projects is available on their website: theatr.cymru.

This project is possible thanks to investment from WPD and Arts & Business Cymru’s CultureStep.