On Air Now

Bro Radio Chilled

Midnight - 2:00am

Now Playing

Will Young

Light My Fire

Download
Listen Live Listen Again

Community award for library volunteer

Monday, 21 October 2024 at 15:03

By Gareth Joy X @lookoutwales2

Community Libraries Network

A library volunteer has been awarded for her work promoting the arts in the Vale.

Janet Blackman is among this year's winners of the Community Libraries Network awards.

She joined Dinas Powys Library five years ago - and was asked how she could bring more of her own cultural interests to the table.

Undeterred by the pandemic, she set up a Facebook group in 2020 to encourage friends and volunteers from libraries across the county to get creative.

In her own words: "As a group our aim is to encourage creativity for all ages and abilities, providing regular artistic themes along with some seasonal challenges, but most of all to encourage everyone to share their creativity, inspirations and ideas with the rest of the group in whatever form they take, in a non-judgemental and friendly environment."

Those who joined the Creative Community Libraries group on Facebook went onto have their works put on show in an exhibition at Dinas Powys once lockdown restrictions were lifted.

The library now hosts a new exhibition every seven weeks, organised and curated by Janet, who has been particularly keen to help promote local artists and those who are just starting out.

She also supports local art groups arranging for the local village show art display to be exhibited at the library for an extended period.

Many of the artworks on show are for sale with the library taking a small commission, which helps to keep it open and maintained.

Some of the exhibition highlights have included the Dawnstalkers swimming group from Penarth, a Fairtrade arts competition for local schools and the works of autistic photographer Euan Balman, who uses his digitally altered works to express his condition.

Janet has also created challenges for her Facebook idea, including Going Postal, which saw participants pairing up to start a piece of artwork, which would then be delivered to their local library for their partner to collect.

Judges at the Community Library Network said: "None of this would have happened were it not for Janet’s enthusiasm and dedication to encouraging others to give art or craft a go and she is showing no signs of slowing down."

Share

Do you have a story to share? Email News@broradio.fm 

 

More from Bro Radio Newsroom

Vale Weather

  • Tue

    8°C

  • Wed

    9°C

  • Thu

    8°C

  • Fri

    8°C

Local events

Follow Us On Socials

The Vale's Local Radio Station

© Copyright 2026 Vale of Glamorgan Broadcasting CIC. Powered by Aiir.