artREGEN is a voluntary organisation which was set up by Soroptimist International of Cwmbran and District and the Women’s Institutes of Cwmavon and Pontnewynydd  in 1998 to help in the regeneration of Pontypool through the Arts.  (Our constitution has since been amended to aid in the process throughout the whole of the Valley).  We were later joined by the Arts Development Officer for Torfaen.  Since then, various other officers from Torfaen and other volunteers have come in and out of artREGEN to give us pertinent advice and support.  The foundation organisations still provide the core members.

We initially commissioned a mural to commemorate the Millennium.  This looked at Pontypool past, present and future. This was designed and constructed by 13 and 14 year olds under the supervision of a professional artist.  

We then produced a book and DVD of the memories of those who had worked or been patients in the old Pontypool & District Hospital which was closed and then demolished.  A memorial sculpted seat was also erected in Pontypool Park from stones saved from the hospital.  A professional writer and sculptor visited senior schools and worked with students on the written and art productions.  

We were also involved in the re-siting of an 18^th century arbour from a former farm in Trevethin into the Park .  This forms a “trio” of “follies” with the Park Grotto and the Folly Tower.

We have recently aided in the re-creation of a fountain in the Italian gardens in Pontypool Park in association with Pontypool Museum and the park management.

Since 2006 we have been asked to produce “Opera in Pontypool Park” performed by WNO members on an annual basis but this is dependent on our ability to raise the necessary funds each year. The last performance was in 2011. It is now considered to be a bi-ennial event and will be evaluated as a project on that basis in the future (Feb 2012).