Campaigners fight to save beacon of art

A PETITION has been launched as concerns mount over the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority's proposed shake-up of Oriel y Parc Landscape Gallery in St Davids.

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Under the authority's plans, the gallery's art exhibition spaces would be repurposed into a national park discovery centre, which campaigners claim will be "effectively a downgrading" of its original mission to showcase Welsh artistic heritage and fine art from the national collection.

However, the gallery has said it has "no plans to downgrade" and "will continue to deliver an exciting and interesting programme of exhibitions".

Built with £3.3m of public and EU funding, Oriel y Parc was designed as a premier venue to celebrate the landscapes and artistic richness of Wales when it opened its doors in 2008.

It serves as the permanent home for works by renowned British artist Graham Sutherland and has previously hosted exhibitions featuring the work of John Constable and other greats such as John Piper and JMW Turner, drawing tens of thousands of visitors and benefiting local schools, families, artists, and the wider tourism economy.