AN ECLECTIC museum of sculpture in the heart of Berriew is celebrating its 20th anniversary, with an arts festival over the Bank Holiday weekend.
For 20 years the Andrew Logan Museum of Sculpture has been drawing visitors from around the world to see his iconic pieces, including a 14-foot egg, costumes, thrones and more.
Thanks to funding from the Arts Council of Wales (ACW) and Powys County Council, the museum has been able to organise a grand festival for the end of the month.
Although funding is being cut across the arts, a new funding stream has recently opened up specifically for festivals, explained museum manager Michael Davis.
“Project officer Iolo Williams advised us to apply for the festival grant,” said Michael.
“The last time we had funding was in 2004, from the ACW and the Lottery, which helped to draw in 5,000 visitors a year. Since then we have had a loss of funding.”
This latest investment has been welcomed by all the museum and should allow for another festival next year as well, said Michael.
“It will be a spoof on the Olympiad,” he explained.
“This year we are encouraging local people to come along.
"We don’t want it to be Glastonbury, we want to encourage people of all ages to be creative and transform, as that’s the theme.”
The museum has secured a major coup in the form of a film called ‘The British Guide to Showing Off’, clips of which will be projected onto the outside of the museum.
The film, which is reaching worldwide critical acclaim, is set to come to the museum in full in the near future, after being shown at other local theatres.
The museum building itself used to be squash courts, explained artist in residence Andrew Logan.
“We had friends in Montgomery and had a hobby of going to look for properties,” said Andrew of how he came to the area from London.
“I had a dream of opening a museum and it being part of life here in the village.
"Michael did a lot of work and the building was transformed.
“I’m a workaholic and I’m in the studio most of the time, I live with my work, this is my life.
“The festival is going to be about joy and celebrating life,” he said.
The packed festival programme (August 27-28) includes drawing and jewellery workshops, a ceilidh, kids zone, wax candle making, cup cake decorating, a tea party and cocktail party in the evening for adults.
For information call 01686 640689 or email info@andrewlogan.com