Madam,

The present exhibition, Celf y Borth Art, showing in Aberystwyth Arts Centre until 13 June is an event to be celebrated. It shows that creative energy is embedded in this area of west Wales, which is being revealed in the work of no fewer than 17 artists, all living in Borth.

Discovering a personal voice is the aim of all serious artists and in this exhibition we see reflected an astonishing variety of media, skill and dedication presented so that each work can be viewed in its own space.

Curating an exhibition requires particular knowledge, skills and sensitivity and here Gwenllian Ashley, curator, demonstrates this importance.

Numerous developments in visual arts practice are reflected here, showing a refreshing variety of styles.

Many of the artists obviously have tapped into environmental ideas linked to Borth and surrounding area. Other work with more abstract constructs in turn make a refreshing contribution to the whole.

Ancient history surrounds the village of Borth. A submerged forest that appears after certain tides is clear evidence that what is now covered by the sea was once flourishing farm land containing areas of dense forest.

The legend of Cantre’r Gwaelod is an historic fact. The sixth century Prif Fardd (chief bard), Taliesin, was found as a baby in a leather bag in a weir in the Dyfi estuary in the form of Gwion Bach who had the task of guarding the cauldron of magical herbs for the witch Ceridwen, and was transformed into the bard Taliesin following a chase involving impressive shape-shifting.

Cors Fochno has its own witch. A seven-foot tall creature who was known to blow into the faces of those who crossed her path.

Miles of sand, astonishing pale grasses, brown boggy pools reflecting sea and sky has resulted in centuries of imaginative and frightening stories. No wonder that artists today want to live in Borth.

The location was used successfully for the S4C series Hinterland and I recall the excellent film made by Godeon Koppell, a slow portrait of the village of Borth as seen from the beach.

The eccentricity of the architecture shows the backs of houses, revealing contrasting if astonishing creativity.

Certain areas have geographically been associated with being fertile ground for creative activity: The Left Bank, Paris, Chelsea, St Ives, Cornwall. Artists have tended to congregate in those places that provide stimulation and privacy.

Have Borth artists created the first artists' colony in west Wales?

The creative energy of Borth artists enriches all that is local and deserves the highest level of support.

Yours etc, Mary Lloyd Jones, Coedlan Iorwerth, Aberystwyth.

Have your say on the local issues affecting you - email [email protected] or join in the conversation on our Facebook page