PENARTH’S Turner House Gallery is scheduled to open again in January, with plans to make it one of the top cultural destinations in the Vale.

After two years of discussions with Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales on how to transform the gallery, Penarth town council has said it will now be turned into a new multi-purpose cultural venue.

The target for the reopening is January 24 2021, although that is subject to the ongoing restrictions due to the pandemic.

Announcing the news, a spokesman for the town council said: “With some fantastic exhibitions planned, The Turner House Gallery is likely to become one of the top cultural destinations in the Vale.

“Exhibitions will be free, with a changing programme that showcases the best national touring shows alongside local artists and makers.”

The first exhibition will be a new Hayward Gallery Touring show of screen-prints by Eduardo Paolozzi – scheduled to open January 24.

Sir Eduardo Paolozzi (1924–2005) was one of the pioneers of the pop art movement in the UK; his prints and collages highlight the importance of visual culture in times of crisis.

The town council is also curating a permanent display which showcases the building’s heritage, including an interactive touchscreen loaded with the original collection.

Exhibitions of work by Henri Matisse, Quentin Blake, and Melin Tregwynt are scheduled for later in 2021.

Of particular interest will be the annual Penarth Open Exhibition which will invite local artists of all ages to exhibit their artworks in the gallery.

Details on how to submit work will be announced later this year.

What is the Turner House gallery?

The gallery was first opened in 1888 to exhibit the personal collection of local flour merchant, James Pyke-Thompson. He believed that seeing art improved wellbeing, and he made sure everyone could visit the gallery by opening on Sundays.

After Mr Pyke-Thompson’s death the building was gifted to Amuegeddfa Cymru in 1897.

Many will also recall Ffotogallery, who took up residence in 2003 as the Welsh centre for photography until their departure in 2016.

In 2016, there were plans to turn the gallery into a monthly food indoor food market, but this received a backlash from residents. Many pointed out the gallery was gifted with its sole aim being to promote art in Penarth.

A spokesman for the council added: “Penarth town council is very grateful to Amuegeddfa Cymru for their partnership in reopening the Turner House.”

For updates about upcoming shows or information about the Penarth Open Show follow @tyturnerpenarth on Instagram and Facebook.