Narberth's Oriel Queen's Hall Gallery is sponsoring two young artists to represent Wales at the International Plein Air Festival, which is being held this year in Druskininkai, Lithuania, as part of the celebrations to honour Vytautas Kazimieras Joynas (1907-1997). An honorary citizen and famous Lithuanian artist and sculptor, Vytautas Kazimieras Joynas has extensively lived and worked in Germany and USA, and also introduced participants to M. K. Ciurlionis and his heritage, Lithuanian folk art. The gallery's link with Lithuania goes back to 2000, when Lynne Crompton, manager at the Queen's Hall Gallery, toured the META exhibition to Vilnius in Lithuania, which Christine Kinsey arranged through her connections with the composer Bronius Kutavicius. The relationship with a few galleries and artists is developing into an interesting exchange that hopefully will see a group of Lithuanian artists exhibiting at Oriel Queen's Hall, Narberth, as well as in Cardiff in 2005. "We have unfortunately not been successful in our grant application to Wales Art International, but have decided that rather than lose the opportunity to foster good relations between our countries, and disappoint these young artists, we will raise the money to send them ourselves," said Lynne. The artists selected are Robert Lawton and Jessie Brennan. Robert is from Narberth and graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in 2002, having won the Student of the Year Award and the Andrew Grant Bequest prize for painting. He was also awarded the Kinross Scholarship to study in Florence in 2003. He had his first solo exhibition in Narberth at Oriel Queen's Hall in February this year and it was a great success. Jessie graduated with first class BA honours in fine art this year from Cardiff School of Art and Design, UWIC, and was awarded the David Tinker Studentship Prize by the Contemporary Art Society of Wales and also the Head of School Purchase Prize. In October, she will be exhibiting at the Red Dot Gallery, Cowbridge, and is also participating in ETARC's Leonardo da Vinci scheme which will involve her with working and teaching in a printmaking studio in Germany. "They are two young talented artists who are proud to represent Wales, and I am sure we will all reap the benefits from their experience," added Lynne. If you are interested in helping with this project, please contact Lynne Crompton, the gallery manager, at Oriel Queen's Hall Gallery, Narberth (tel. 01834 861212 or e-mail Lynne@orielqueenshallgallery .org.uk).
