Mission Gallery
Mission Gallery is an independent art gallery situated on Gloucester place, in Swansea's Maritime Quarter. The unique space hosts an existing programme of contemporary art, painting, installation, photography and craft. Formally St Nicholas Church for seamen, Mission Gallery was Designed by Benjamin Bucknall and built in 1886. The building became an art gallery in 1977, Named Swansea Arts Workshop Gallery. An arts initiative, it was managed and run by a group of artists and volunteers as part of the Association of Artists and Designers in Wales, linked with Swansea Studios. Since the dissolution of the Association of Artists and Designers in Wales in 1992, Mission Gallery and Swansea Studios are now separate Organisations, with Mission Gallery receving grant funding from the Arts Council of Wales. In 2003 Mission Gallery Become a revenue client of the Arts Council of Wales, resulting in the first, full time, paid member of staff in its history.
Mission Gallery is divided into two areas, an exhibition space and a craft space, both of which are highly regarded in wales and beyond. The exhibition space has a changing programme showing contemporary visual art; painting, sculpture, craft, installations and community/educational projects. Many of Wales' best known artists have exhibited in the gallery. often with their first solo show. the craft space features a changing display of contempt craft, applied art and design by makers and designers with national and international profiles, alongside emerging new designers and makers.