Art Gallery in Barry celebrates International Women's Day 2026

The Women’s Arts Association Wales (WAAW) is celebrating International Women’s Day 2026 at Art Central, the Vale of Glamorgan’s impressive art gallery in Barry.

The opening of the exhibition will take place on Saturday 7 March, 1–3pm.

As part of the opening event, music and visual artist and singer Amada Magrin will be performing some of her jazz and blues songs.

Maggie, as she’s known by her band Ms Maggie & The Cat’s Pyjamas, returned to her Welsh roots after living in Australia for thirty years and singing in Melbourne’s iconic jazz club ‘Dizzy’s’ and other major festivals and venues.

Renowned for her soulful storytelling, her background in musical theatre brings an emotional depth and authenticity to every performance.

The Women’s Arts Association is a vibrant voluntary organisation committed to addressing isolation and exclusion experienced by women working in the arts. The organisation has been running International Women’s Day and celebrating and supporting women in the arts through exhibitions and events for over forty years.

The open exhibition features a mix of artwork by women artists from across Wales.

The exhibition is inclusive and enables women and those identifying as female who are professionally practising an art form or following a creative hobby to be part of this collective event. The exhibition is open to all visitors, with a variety of artworks on show including textiles, mixed media, sculptural works, oil paintings, watercolours, and abstract contemporary works and much, much more.

The Women’s Arts Association Wales is delighted to announce that they will also be holding the annual Dianne Setch Artist Talk, on Saturday 28 March 2026 at 2pm, Art Central Gallery. This year’s speaker is Frances Woodley, Practice Through Collaboration. 

The talk is dedicated to Setch, as she is one of the founder members of the association and awarded for her contributions as an artist and committee member. Dianne Setch remains in contact with the organisation and attends the annual talks.

Cllr Rhiannon Birch Cabinet Member for Education, the Arts and the Welsh Language said: “International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on 8 March, and this year’s global theme, Give to Gain, reflects the power of sharing opportunities and supporting one another. By bringing women together to exhibit their work side by side, they are showcasing their creative achievements and strengthening a sense of community.”

The exhibition endeavours to highlight and celebrate the achievements of those taking part. The variety of themes explored in this exhibition highlights the diverse interests and perspectives of women in Wales, addressing issues of life, society, politics, and the many factors that shape women’s experiences in promoting equality and celebrating this world event.

In addition to this exhibition, there are others being held across South Wales including Llanover Hall Arts Centre Cardiff and Cynon Valley Museum in Aberdare.

Emma Juliet Lawton, Chair of Women’s Arts Association Wales said: “It is a fantastic opportunity, and we aim to encourage as many women as a possible to take part in this annual event. The exhibitions are organised by volunteers from the group in partnership with the galleries. We hope you will support us by visiting the exhibition.”