Member Article

Homes to feature on contemporary jeweller’s 2019 Conwy county Eisteddfod Crown design

A north Wales contemporary jeweller has received approval by the Gorsedd of the Bards Board for her 2019 Crown design for Conwy county’s event next year.

Sponsor Grŵp Cynefin is delighted that homes will feature, for the first time, in the design of the Crown.

“As an organisation, we are delighted to be playing a role in the brief offered to designer, Angela Evans from Caernarfon as she presents her design concept for the creation of the National Eisteddfod’s 2019 Crown,” explains Shân Lloyd Williams, Chief Executive of Grŵp Cynefin.

Three key elements will form part of the Crown design, with all three themes linked to Grŵp Cynefin’s housing association principles, as commissioners of next year’s Crown.

“Our main principle as a housing association is to offer quality homes within rural communities of north Wales. But as an organisation that means more than just laying bricks and mortar.

“As so many of our staff derive from these north Wales communities, they understand the make-up of these areas, the close-knit communities they serve plus the importance Welsh culture, the language and the history has within these rural communities.

“Cynefin offers ‘more than housing’ to our tenants and homeowners, and we are proud to be showcasing elements of this work in such an accomplished national prize,” explains Shân Lloyd Williams.

“We’re thrilled to understand that houses will feature on the Crown’s design, linking the homes created by Grŵp Cynefin to the bard’s winning jewel.

Gemstones will be used on the Crown to convey the brightness and future prosperity of the sustainable communities Cynefin works with across north and mid Wales. And showcasing all that is good from the county of Conwy will be represented by water.

The water that runs from the Conwy estuary to the sea, through the river down the valley, feeding the land and its people via its labyrinth of brooks and gorges.

Now Angela Evans has presented her concept ideas to the Eisteddfod board, the designer will begin her task, fulfilling a long held dream to create this momentous prize.

Angela Evans: “I’ve always wanted to design and make an Eisteddfod Crown so I’m thrilled to have won the commission.

“My jewellery work is intricate and detailed and this style of making will be very apparent in the Crown’s design.

The Crown is one of the highest accolades of the National Eisteddfod and is presented to the winner of one of the two major poetry competitions. In a ceremonial event on the pavilion stage during Eisteddfod week, the nom de plume of the winner is announced and the successful bard stands to the delight of the congratulatory crowd.

Angela’s design outline was selected by a panel of tenants, staff and board members following a commissioning campaign led by Grŵp Cynefin. This week, the Gorsedd of the Bards Board approved the design

Angela gained a degree in Jewellery Design and Silversmithing at the Loughborough University, School of Art and Design in 2004. She was Chair of the ‘North Wales Jewellers Collective’ for 10 years, plus she is a professional member of the Association of Contemporary Jewellers.

Angela’s workshop is located at ‘Siop iard’ Caernarfon, a space she shares with two other artists. All three artists opened a second shop at Pwllheli three years ago which is operated by a further three artists. In addition Angela leads jewellery making courses throughout the year.

Shân Lloyd Williams, Chief Executive of Grŵp Cynefin added: “As a Welsh housing association, we are delighted to be able to play a prominent role in presenting this prize at Conwy county 2019’s National Eisteddfod.

“We are in close liaison with Angela Evans, and look forward immensely to seeing her design develop in the coming months.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Harris .