A GALLERY in Dyffryn Ardudwy has opened its doors with a brand new exhibition that will help raise money for the Barmouth RNLI.

Oriel Ty Meirion opened to the public last week, with a new exhibition based on a coastal and maritime theme.

The gallery owner, Mima, is thrilled to be opening the doors again. She said: “I love supporting the arts and the RNLI is a charity that is close to my heart.

“It feels really good to be welcoming visitors again and helping a charity that has been unable to do their normal fundraising over the past year.”

The first visitor to the gallery was Stormy Stan from the RNLI who received a special private view ahead of the public opening.

He loved his visit and left a selection of RNLI badges, pencils, pens, stickers and factsheets about the Barmouth lifeboats which are all free to gallery visitors.

The exhibition is a mixed show with a fantastic line-up of artists including embroiderer Alison Holt, painters Ffion Gwyn, Harri Carmichael, Ken Bridges, Kim Dewsbury, Peter Hedd Williams, Shan Ellis and Valerie Land, printmakers Iain Davidson and Ian Phillips, Iona Pickard with knitwear and crafts, Jane Williams with pottery.

Also amongst the line-up is Mima with photography, Katie Bentham and her sea glass jewellery, sculptor Naomi Bunker and jeweller Robert Goldsworthy.

Walking around the gallery feels like a really good dose of sea air that stirs up the senses and lifts the spirits with a wonderful reflection of our beautiful coastline.

All artwork is below £1,500 and there is something to suit all budgets, from a range of gift cards and crafts to collectable fine art.

A spokesperson for the Barmouth RNLI said: “We would like to thank Mima for choosing to support Barmouth RNLI through her exhibition.

“2020 brought challenges none of us expected and like everyone else the RNLI has felt the impact.

“It is the generosity of others, like Mima that ensures we can continue to save lives at sea.

“Without such support, the RNLI wouldn’t exist.”

The exhibition is well worth a visit and continues until 13 June. Oriel Ty Meirion is based in Dyffryn Ardudwy on the coastal road between Barmouth and Harlech in the stunning Snowdonia National Park.

To find out information such as the gallery’s latest opening times, directions on how to find it and an arts catalogue, visit www.tymeirion.co.uk.