Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre in St. Davids has appointed a new manager, Paula Ellis.

Paula has joined Oriel y Parc, which is managed by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority in partnership with Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales, fresh from a previous role as director of sales and marketing at the St. Brides Spa Hotel in Saundersfoot.

Previously she worked for The Vale Resort and the St. David's Hotel and Spa in Cardiff in the same role, following a period as marketing manager at Cardiff Airport.

At Oriel y Parc, Paula's remit covers the Visitor Centre, gallery, shop, Discovery Room and Tower which is used as an exhibition space and meeting room for local art groups and community organisations. The attraction also includes a café which is run independently.

On taking up her new post, Paula - from Hayscastle - said: "This is a wonderful chance to work in a very special environment. I am particularly looking forward to spreading the word about the opportunity we have here in West Wales to host such a high quality art collection.

"People might expect a Tourist Information Centre, a café and a gift shop, but they don't necessarily expect to see a gallery of this calibre in Pembrokeshire.

"I'm also looking forward to supporting the tourism industry in this part of Wales and building on the good relationships that already exist. I feel very lucky and I'm looking forward to welcoming visitors."

Oriel y Parc's current free-to-enter exhibition, Stories from the Sea, features a collection of 25 stunning glass sea creatures by Leopold and Rudolf Blaschka. The intricate models are part of a collection of 200 held by Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales.

It also features pieces by renowned Welsh artists Ceri Richards and Richard Wilson, the Pre-Raphaelite Edward Burne-Jones, major 20th century figures such as Peter Lanyon and David Jones, and contemporary work by Jem Southam, Jennie Savage and Marcus Coates.

The new exhibition also includes paintings and drawings by Graham Sutherland, who bequeathed a collection to Pembrokeshire as its coastal landscape had so inspired him.