Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea

The Glynn Vivian Art Gallery is a prominent public art gallery located in Swansea, on Alexandra Road. The gallery was established through the generosity of Glynn Vivian, who in 1905 donated his eclectic collection of paintings, drawings, and china to the city, alongside a £10,000 endowment. Although Vivian himself laid the foundation stone in 1909, it was after his passing that the gallery was officially opened in 1911, amidst great public enthusiasm. The building, designed by Glendinning Moxham in the Edwardian Baroque style, remains a significant cultural institution in Swansea.

The gallery’s initial collection, based on Glynn Vivian’s donations, has grown over the years through additional gifts and purchases, expanding its range of European art while preserving a strong focus on local artists. Notable contributions include the Deffett Francis collection of prints and drawings and the Kildare S. Meager bequest of Swansea china. Today, the gallery displays works by artists such as Richard Wilson, Claude Monet, Gwen John, and Paul Nash, alongside prints by Albrecht Dürer and William Blake, and a variety of watercolors and drawings.

The gallery also boasts an impressive collection of Swansea porcelain and British and European glass, including a rare Meissen experimental vase. It continues to offer loan exhibitions, events, and an educational program to engage the local community. After a major refurbishment, which included recladding a 1974 extension and a delayed reopening due to contractor issues, the gallery reopened its doors in 2016, ready to welcome visitors once again.