Roath has long been known for its strong artistic and creative credentials, and summer 2024 is no exception.

Without art we lose the ability to communicate ideas about human existence in a primal, visceral way. Art has an immediate effect on the viewer, whether positive or negative. You can look forward to an exhilarating run of exhibitions appearing at local Roath galleries over the coming months and it would be criminal to miss out on the rich vein of creative talent from across Wales and beyond exhibiting in your local area. Roath and her artistic community have been providing accessible art for all since the 1960s, and, as a community, we can honour that commitment by seeing exhibitions, and supporting artists, galleries and creative spaces. A feast for the sense awaits.

Albany Gallery

An institution of the arts, Albany Gallery has played an important role in Roath’s history since the 1960s. To soak up some of that authentic Roath flavour, you can catch Alex Brown and Colin Carruthers, with sculpture by Christine Baxter, until the 20 July 2024. The summer schedule at the Albant Gallery runs from 26 July to 7 September, as a changing exhibition of over 30 popular artists in a variety of styles and mediums. Almost a third of those taking part are new to the gallery, including Lucy Corbett and Tracy Patterson.

13 September to 5 October sees Tim Fudge and Carolyn Genders, and Mary Jolley and Claire Lovell exhibiting from 11 October to 2 November.

74b Albany Road, Cardiff CF24 3RS / 029 2078 9171 / info@albanygallery.com / www.albanygallery.com

Celf

This year’s summer season at Celf will highlight new work by gallery artists including Shani Rhys James, Kevin Sinnott, Mary Lloyd Jones, John Macfarlane, Stephen Young, Clive Hicks Jenkins, Sally Moore, Iwan Gwyn Parry, Sigrid Muller, Vivienne Williams, Sarah Thwaites, Daniel Crawshaw, Philip Archer, Richard Barrett, Oliver Gaiger, Katrina Rosanne Barrett and Sally James Thomas, among others.

Now in her ninth decade, Mary Lloyd Jones is one of Wales’ most prominent and established artists. Born in Devil’s Bridge, Ceredigion in 1934 and trained at Cardiff College of Art, her work is inspired by the landscape and the industrial history and language of Wales.

In addition to new work by all gallery artists, this year’s Summer Show will feature a strong body of work by Eleri Mills and Harry Holland, and also introduce Annette Townsend to the gallery. Annette is a Welsh inter-disciplinary artist specialising in the field of Natural History. After graduating with a BA (Hons) Design she was employed by Amgueddfa Cymru (National Museum Wales) as a Scientific Artist. Her career at the museum extended over 20 years. She now works as an independent artist in Roath, creating work inspired by the natural world.

Roath Park Hall, Bangor Street CF24 3NA / info@celfgallery.com / www.celfgallery.com

TEN Gallery

After a hugely successful Elfyn Lewis exhibition, TEN has announced its summer schedule, including the annual Summer Exhibition- their 15th. The mixed exhibitions includes new ceramics by Susan Phillips, a series of lithographs by James Rielly, and wonderfully evocative paintings by Meirion Ginsberg that sing with thoughts of long summer days.

Looking forward to September, and another Roath-based artist, Sue Williams, whose solo exhibition is one to see. Akin to pages from a visual diary, Williams’ characteristic bold and immediate paintings tell of awkward encounters, sticky situations and erotic experiences. Issues of sexual communication, dysfunction and human frailty are embedded in her work, themes which are explored and executed with such truthfulness and raw honesty. At the heart of Williams’ whole practice is a universal, wholly necessary, yet simple theme: that of human communication. The result is a practice which challenges taboos and provokes a response- it demands attention from the viewer. Some may be dismissive, others embarrassed, but such universally human themes are relatable to all, whether we admit it or not.

Rear of 143 Donald Street CF24 4TP / 029 2060 / info@gallery-ten.co.uk / www.gallery-ten.co.uk