Posted on: Friday 7 June 2024
A new exhibition created by children to celebrate their heritage and culture has been unveiled this week.
Gypsy, Roma and Traveller pupils from West Monmouth School documented their lives through photography and poetry for the Wanderlust Exhibition, which was unveiled at Amgueddfa Torfaen Museum in Pontypool on Thursday.
They were helped by local poet Patrick Jones and photographer Jon Pountney as part of the project, funded by the West Gwent Community Cohesion Grant.
The exhibition was unveiled to mark the start of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month, which this year celebrates the theme of family.
One of those who took part was Year 8 pupil Fred Edwards, who said: "I am so proud of myself and feel much more confident that my work is going to be displayed in a museum, and this would not have been possible without this project or Lynne.
"The project shows who we are and that we are a normal community just living a different lifestyle".
Jon Pountney said: "I've had a brilliant time with kids, they're a really open and friendly bunch.
"I didn’t want to be too hands on and direct the photography too much, so the brilliant results you see on the walls around us are what they’ve come up with and I'm just really, really pleased."
Lynne Robinson, Gypsy Traveller Practice Manager for Torfaen Council who worked with colleague Bronwyn Parker on the project, said: "We are incredibly excited to involved with such an innovative project. It has given the pupils an opportunity to explore and celebrate their culture, and they have also gained some valuable skills in the process.
"It also provides the non-traveller community with the chance of having a much broader insight into the real lives of the roma and gypsy traveller communities living throughout the borough."
You can see a ITV Wales report on the exhibition on Monday from 6pm.
The Wanderlust Exhibition will be on display every Wednesday from 10am - 1pm, and every Saturday from 1pm - 4pm, for the remainder of the month.
Schools and larger groups can request a by contacting the museum email outreach@torfaenmuseum.org.uk or phone on 01495 752036.
For more information about GRT month, visit: Friends, Families and Travellers (gypsy-traveller.org)