THE OFFICIAL ARTCYMRU LAUNCH - What a night!

For several weeks Bernard Mitchell and I had been worrying over the official launch of the web site scheduled for Monday the 22nd April, at the Chelsea Cafe in Swansea. Thankfully, all our concerns were unfounded. The Chelsea Cafe provided a wonderful ambiance and the 'bun-fight' was quite superb. Actually, it is insulting to even joke about the catering. The food prepared by Nick Bevan, and his wife Lisa, wife was out of this world. They even managed to make the sushi look so good I just had to taste it, and I'm glad I did. I am now a convert!

We are very grateful to Mr Andrew Davies AM, the Minister for Economic Development and E-Commerce, for opening the site. His speech was very kind and gave us both a great deal to be optimistic about. The Worshipful Mayor and Mayoress of Swansea also attended and I was grateful to the Mayor for referring to me as a 'computer nurd.' I felt quite proud of that (my friends from school would be really surprised to hear something like that used to describe me). The Mayor has been very supportive of our project and Bernard and I are very grateful.

It was nice to see some friends from Swansea Institute and also Sybil Crouch, Chair of the Arts Council of Wales.

The afternoon was very successful, with offers of sponsorship, equipment and requests for application forms. John Gower, the Arts Correspondent of the BBC attended and conducted a radio interview, and the Evening Post sent a photographer, who can't have had film in his camera (at least the photo didn't appear in the paper, although the article did make a difference to the visits to the site that day. We received nearly 8,000 'hits' on Tuesday as a result of the publicity).

POINT OF INTEREST - The Western Mail didn't answer our calls or bother to attend.

Finally, thanks to Salim of Uplands Computers, who provided the equipment to view the site at the launch, and a last word to thank our exhibitors, friends and wives for being so supportive over the last couple of years.

We are a non-profit making organisation

If you feel you could help us in our drive to promote the art and artists of Wales (we need hardware and software, advertising and sponsorship) please contact us. We can provide advertising within Artcymru in return for services rendered.

Nigel Williams & Bernard Mitchell outside the Chelsea Cafe in St. Mary's Street, Swansea

THANKS TO SPONSORS:
Swansea City Council
Swansea City Council Education Department
Halo Foods
Uplands Computers
ELWa
Gemini Digital Colour Printers
Chelsea Cafe

Please feel free to contact us at: info@welshartsarchive.org.uk with your suggestions and comments.