Stunning artworks created by care home residents will illuminate a music festival in North Wales.<\/p>\n
The luminous, large-scale canvasses \u2013 described as \u201cart that dances with the mind\u201d \u2013 are the work of residents of the Pendine Park care organisation.<\/p>\n
The 21 vibrant pieces will take pride of place at the North Wales International Music Festival at St Asaph Cathedral from September 11\u201320.<\/p>\n
Each one represents the human mind\u2019s reaction to music, a perfect reflection of this year\u2019s festival theme: \u2018Perceptions\u2019, which explores how music shapes the brain and supports mental health.<\/p>\n
Led by Pendine Park\u2019s consultant artist-in-residence, Sarah Edwards,\u00a0the project at Seren art class in Penybryn care home in Wrexham has brought out extraordinary talent among residents who live with complex neurological conditions including acquired brain injuries, MS and the after-effects of strokes.<\/p>\n
The artwork follows a method known as neurographic art,<\/em> using organic shapes and bright colours to represent emotion, brain activity and wellbeing.<\/p>\n Each canvas features a silhouette of a head, with acetate insets lit by the cathedral windows \u2013 the colours and musical motifs inside symbolise how music lights up the brain.<\/p>\n Sarah said: \u201cScientific studies show how dramatically the brain lights up in response to music. We wanted our art to reflect that \u2013 and the results are just breathtaking. Every resident contributed their own designs, and they\u2019ve created something truly special.\u201d<\/p>\n The residents even listened to uplifting 80s pop tracks while they painted \u2013 a move that, according to Sarah, added an emotional dimension to the process.<\/p>\n \u201cOur art workshops are about so much more than just painting,\u201d she added. \u201cThey\u2019re therapeutic, joyful and empowering.\u201d<\/p>\n Resident Emma Barber was one of the artists involved.<\/p>\n She said: \u201cI love music, and painting to it is like I\u2019m dancing in my mind,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s a joyful way to express how you feel, without needing words.\u201d<\/p>\n Fellow artist Lynn Kelly added: \u201cIt\u2019s amazing to think that audiences at the festival will see what we\u2019ve made. It\u2019s a proud moment.\u201d<\/p>\n The project is part of Pendine Park\u2019s long-running partnership with the North Wales International Music Festival.<\/p>\n Its charitable arm, Pendine Arts and Community Trust (PACT), founded by Mario Kreft MBE and his wife Gill, is once again the headline sponsor for the event.<\/p>\n The Trust also backs the Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition, offering \u00a34,000 in prize money to the finalists and a prestigious trophy to the winner. This year\u2019s competition will be broadcast on BBC Radio Cymru, with festival director and royal composer \u00a0Paul Mealor praising the partnership.<\/p>\n \u201cWith the continued support of Mario and Gill\u00a0and PACT, this competition is fast becoming one of Wales\u2019s top music events,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cOur 2025 theme, Perceptions<\/em>,<\/em> focuses on the link between music and the human mind \u2013 and Pendine\u2019s involvement couldn\u2019t be more fitting.\u201d<\/p>\n The festival’s opening concert on Thursday, September 11, stars Maltese tenor Joseph Calleja who Paul Mealor believes is “the world\u2019s finest lyric tenor”.<\/p>\n Headliners this year include the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, world class choral group Apollo5 and the renowned Black Dyke Band.<\/p>\n Making her festival debut this year will be the acclaimed film and TV composer, Debbie Wiseman OBE.<\/p>\n Her theme tunes for Wolf Hall, Wilde, Father Brown, Tom\u2019s Midnight Garden, Jack Frost, The Glorious Garden and many others will be played by the NEW Sinfonia orchestra.<\/p>\n The final concert will feature the North Wales Choral Union and Orchestra under the baton of conductor Trystan Lewis.<\/p>\n Other events and community projects being staged at the festival include a community tour, Tots & Children\u2019s concert, a dementia friendly concert and Mindfulness through Music workshops.<\/p>\n Tickets and further details about the festival programme are available online at\u00a0<\/strong>https:\/\/nwimf.com<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0Tickets are also available from Cathedral Frames, St Asaph\u00a0<\/strong>– <\/strong>07471 318723 <\/strong>(<\/strong>Weds – Fri, 10 – 4) and\u00a0Theatr Clwyd by phone –\u00a001352 344101\u00a0<\/strong>(Mon – Sun, 10 – 8).<\/strong><\/p>\n