Artists donate original works in support of mountain rescue volunteers

A painter whose work captures and celebrates the magnificence of the landscapes of North Wales, is taking the opportunity to use his art to benefit those who work within those landscapes.

Dave Roberts, who specialises in pastel land and seascape paintings of North Wales, is holding a major solo exhibition of more than 60 new works at Oriel Glasfryn Gallery, Caerwys between 3 April and 4 May. During the exhibition, an original work entitled “Snowdon in White” will be auctioned to raise money for North Wales Mountain Rescue Association (NWMRA).

Dave said:

“These paintings have been produced over the last six months and I’ve tried to capture the area in all its moods. You’ll find brightness and darkness; tranquillity and turbulence; warmth and bleakness. Frequently, you’ll experience all of these in just one day of walking in Eryri or on the Welsh coast!

“This unique beauty is a draw to many people, but within its magnificence is also the rawness of pure nature – and sometimes people need help in navigating that. For this reason, I wanted to recognise and support through my art, those who work within the landscapes I depict.”

North Wales Mountain Rescue Association (NWMRA) is the umbrella organisation which overarches the nine mountain rescue teams operating in North Wales.

Seven of the teams are geographical, covering specific areas of the region including a lowland team based on Anglesey, while two of the teams are specialist functions comprising cave rescue and search and rescue dogs.

All team members are volunteers who give up their own time to respond to callouts from people who need help.  The volunteers also give up their own time to train for and maintain the skills and qualifications needed to help people in some of the most challenging terrain, in all weather conditions, day or night, dropping what they are doing at home or work to respond to a callout.

NWMRA chair, Andy Harbach said:

“Each team is an independent charity, funded almost entirely by donations. Those donations pay for the specialist clothing the volunteers wear, the equipment used by the teams, the vehicles they respond in – in fact, without the generosity of the communities and individuals who support us, we would not be able to do the important work that we do.”

North Wales has the busiest team in the country in terms of the number of callouts – Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team – who cover Yr Wyddfa and work within the Eryri National Park.

NWMRA were therefore honoured and delighted that an original work by local artist Dave Roberts which depicts the magnificent beauty of Yr Wyddfa would be auctioned to help mountain rescue teams across the region continue to work to keep people safe.

Also exhibiting will be ceramicist Katherine Breaks and local sculptor Nick Eames.

Nick’s work is held in some notable collections and he has exhibited in public arenas across the UK. He developed an interest in sculpture from an early age, securing his first commission at the age of just sixteen. He lives in the rural village of Cilcain, and this will be his first exhibition in ten years.

Nick has also donated the figure of a red dragon (pictured below) to be auctioned during the exhibition with all funds raised going to support North Wales Mountain rescue teams.

Andy Harbach said:

“The Welsh landscape is an integral part of who we are, what we do, and how we serve both our local communities, and those who visit here to experience the magnificence of the outdoors in North Wales and its unique culture and heritage.

“These two works of art represent all of that uniquely, and we are honoured and immensely grateful to the artists who have created and donated them.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported us during the exhibition, and previously – your generosity makes a difference and is appreciated.”

The exhibition will run from 3 April to 4 May and is open to all. You can find out further details here orielglasfryn.com

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North Wales Mountain Rescue Association comprises nine teams working together to cover the region and include some of the busiest areas in England and Wales. They are:

• Aberdyfi Mountain Rescue Team
• Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team
• Llanberis Mountain Rescue Team
• Mon-Sar
• North East Wales Mountain Rescue Team
• North Wales Cave Rescue Organisation
• Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue Organisation
• SARDA Wales
• South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team