Artist Statement

With a special interest in Literacy development, both in children and adults, my focus is on bringing theatre and performance, including music and song, to small towns and rural communities throughout Wales. I share stories, poetry, song and plays (original, or the work of other writers), with audiences of all backgrounds but especially those with limited access to the Arts, and invite community groups to create stories with me, in the hope that they will feel enriched, engaged and inspired. Gweithio hefo pobol sy'n siarad gymraeg ydy'r bwysig i fi, ar dw'i isio ymarfer hefo yr cymunedol gymraeg yn yr waith fi.

New Creative Partnerships for 2018

If there's any way you feel you could add to any of these projects, please get in touch!

Young Creatives: Cylch Stori/Story Circle

Cylch Stori/Story Circle aims to explore storytelling techniques with young people, while introducing them to myths, legends and more contemporary stories. In this innovative programme in partnership with Venue Cymru, we also offer a platform to young people to tell their own stories and encourage entry into National Young Storyteller of the Year.

See news section for more details.

Year of the Sea 2018: The Show Goes On

This Creative Writing commision, from Venue Cymru, illustrates the life of the Sea at Llandudno and in the surrounding area, as a vehicle to inspire local business stake holders to invest in 'The Year of the Sea.

Young Storyteller of Wales 2018

In partnership with Venue Cymru, I'll be working in schools, delivering Storytelling workshops, and co-ordinating this open competition for young storytellers, age 7 - 21. Please follow facebook.com/Gillian Brownson for updates.

Creative Projects for 2018

Quest 2018 Hymgais

This partnership, as Creative Practitioner in Residence with Bangor University's Centre for Arthurian Studies, aims to inspire catch-up reading groups in schools to fall in love with stories, by introducing them to the nature of the Quest through an amalagamation of traditional and digital storytelling techniques.

Words & Pictures-Geiriau a Lluniau

This partnership with Creative Gwynedd and Gwynedd Archives will explore Caernarfon's cultural past with the residents of Plas Maesincla Residential Care Home. The Creative Writing project will produce new poetry to be permenantly displyed on the Gwasanaeth Archifau Gwynedd building and at Plas Maesincla itself.

Mouse Missions: Darkwhistle & The Haunted River

Longlisted for the Bloomsbury New Children's Author prize, 2015, this Middle Grade Fiction Novel (9-12 years) is now in it's 8th draft after working with professional editors at Cornerstone's Literary.

Arts Council of Wales

2016-17

Exploring the Digital Arts in Literacy Development for pupils and teachers at Ysgol Bryndeva.

2017-18

Inspiring pupils and teachers at Ysgol Aberconwy and Ysgol Cybi to discover their creative learning potential as part of the Lead Creative School Project.

National Trust Plas Newydd

2017

An original peice commisioned by Plas Newydd, Mon & Menai explores the estate's unique horticultural heritage and issues of tree extinction. The light hearted and interactive prominade performance asks that families get outside and learn about our environment together.

Year Of Legends

2017

As a nation, Wales celebrates its rich storytelling traditions in 2017. With performances across sites in North Wales throughout the year, audiences will experience the Legends of the Mabinogion to the Tales of T Llew Jones as they were first told.

Book Babies - Llyfr Babanod

2017

This bi-lingual literacy development project with Arc Noa produced a new community book after the group experienced interactive storytelling techniques.

"Gill was so engaging and inspiring, creating such an adventure with her brilliant storytelling and inspiring them to create their own story. We both love the book, it's something we will treasure forever."

- Nia Pendrell

National Trust Castell Penrhyn

2017

An adaptation of Oliver Jeffers' 'The Great Paper Caper' explores issues of deforestation and sustainability in a family friendly outdoor theatre experience commisioned by the National Trust.

Gwynedd Greadigol

2016-2017

Funded by the creative Arts Unit at Gwynedd County Council, this bi-lingual enrichment programme for dimentia patients at Bryn Seiont Newydd explored sea stories, songs and poetry, resulting in new writing based on the residents' thoughts and recollections about the ocean.

'Those in Peril' TIE Project

2016-2018

With funding from from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Welsh Museums Federation, these two original Theatre-in-Education plays have used archives from the Holyhead Maritime Museum and oral history cataloguing to explore local Maritime disasters during the Great War for Holyhead Primary School Children.

Gwynedd Greadigol

2016-2017

This bi-lingual project, in partnership with Sian Miriam from Helfa Gelf, used poetry, storytelling and song to inspire dimentia patients to actively take part in creative enrichment activities, resulting in new, original poetry based on conversations and recollections of the residents. Funded by the Creative Arts Unit at Gwynedd County Council

National Trust Rex Whistler

2016

This original performance piece, commisioned by the National Trust, was produced to explore the murals of Rex Whistler and his personal relationships, interpreting their signifince for the National Trust's collections at Plas Newydd, Mon and Menai.

World Book Day

2016-2017

Pupils and Teachers at St Mary's Primary School experience Welsh Legends as the Nation celebrates books and stories for children.

Mr Scrooge

2015

In this adaptaion of Charles Dickens classic, 'A Christmas Carol', a lowly maid hides from the mean spirited Butler in the Grand Hall of Penrhyn Castle and warms the hearts and minds of Christmas audiences with this tale of redemption. Comissioned by the National Trust.

Isle of Anglesey County Council Llynon Mill & Round Houses

2015

An interactive performance of 'Branwen, Daughter of Llyr' at the Iron Age roundhouses of Llynon Mill for family visitors, funded by IOACC.