Welcome to Art & Activism

Art and Activism at the Heart of the Valleys was a community-focused project that aimed to revive and celebrate South Wales’ rich mining history and working-class culture, through creative activities and intergenerational participation.

The project, centered at The Welfare in Ystradgynlais, sought to give a voice to a history that has often gone unrecorded by official sources, the voice of the community.  The project aimed to document and celebrate the history and culture of working-class communities, primarily focusing on the South Wales mining industry, not through a sense of nostalgia but through active creation and skill-sharing.

The Project was at the intersection of art and activism, using creative practice as a catalyst for social memory, dignity, and change.

Rooted in communities shaped by the rise and decline of coal mining, the project harnessed storytelling, visual arts, and participatory workshops to illuminate experiences that are too often forgotten or misrepresented. By placing former mining communities at the centre of its creative process, the project not only documented their history but also amplified ongoing struggles around identity, employment, public services, and collective wellbeing. Art became a form of testimony—an accessible, human way to confront the long-term effects of deindustrialisation.

It challenged narratives of decline by highlighting resilience, solidarity, and the lived expertise of coalfield residents. Through exhibitions, digital media, and collaborative events, the project invited audiences to engage with issues such as economic justice, environmental repair, and community empowerment. The combination of artistic expression and social advocacy transformed coalfield stories into a force for public awareness and policy conversation, ensuring that these communities are seen, heard, and valued in shaping a fairer future.