The ancient church of St Mary’s, in the centre of Conwy, is to be lit up for the first time at Gwledd Conwy Feast
Digital projection artist, Andy McKeown, whose large-scale productions have been enjoyed across the globe, is bringing his talents to Conwy at the end of the month as part of the town’s annual celebration of food, music and art: Gwledd Conwy Feast. As well as lighting the trees of one of the festival’s new venues, Bodlondeb Park, he is transforming the interior of Conwy’s ancient church, St Mary’s, into a breathtaking, immersive kaleidoscope of patterned light, generated from images from its beautiful stained glass windows. The piece, which will run from 6.00pm until 9.00pm on Saturday 28th October, will be accompanied by a programme of live music under the direction of Chris Roberts, Conwy’s Classical Music Festival Director.
Andy McKeown is anticipating the response to this ‘first’, “It’s always a pleasure to be in Conwy. To be creating a new light work with the stained glass in this most beautiful and historic church is a very special delight. People will experience the stained glass of St Mary and All Saints in a completely new way.”
Jane Hughes, Event Director of Gwledd Conwy Feast agrees, “We are delighted to be able to use beautiful St Mary’s church as one of our festival venues this year. The projections created by Andy McKeown will be an exciting addition to our programme and also a wonderful project to showcase the stunning stained glass windows in the church.”
Says Vicar Rev David Parry, “It is really exciting to be engaged in such an imaginative partnership-based project. St Mary’s is a site of significant heritage importance, older than Conwy castle itself and is at the heart of the town. It is also at the heart of the community, and as so we are keen to join Gwledd Conwy Feast to celebrate this treasured place, right in the centre of the creative programme and allowing everyone in the community to enjoy what we have here in a wholly new way.”
In the run-up to the evening, events at St Mary’s get underway on the Saturday at 1.00pm – 1.45pm with a lunchtime concert, followed by free children’s workshops (2.00pm – 4.00pm), where you’re invited to make your own window designs and your creation will be transformed instantly into a large-scale patterned projection! Don’t forget to bring your camera!
The Sunday begins with a special Bro Celynnin Communion Service at 11.00am, then a lunchtime concert again and the chance to take part in the workshops from 2.00pm. There is no charge for entry to the church, and free tea and coffee will be served through both afternoons.
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