Picture gallery for Royal Cambrian Academy, Plas Mawr, Conwy

CONWAY - A new picture-gallery has just been completed for the Royal Cambrian Academy of Art, at Plas Mawr, Conway. The needs of a new gallery have long been felt. The old mansion, Pias Mawr, in which the annual exhibitions of the academy are held, is in every way in character with the use to which it is now devoted. There is, however, much of interest in the old ornamentation of its walls, which during the time of the annual exhibition, owing to the number of pictures, had had to be covered over, much to the regret of the members of the academy, and the loss of the public: and, owing to the windows being small, many pictures have been forced to be hung in dark comers. It was, therefore, determined to erect a new gallery, to accommodate a larger number of pictures. The old rooms, being less crowded with pictures, will show those remaining in them to greater advantage. The gallery has been erected on ground at the back of Plas Mawr, and is connected with it by a short passage opening out of one of the rooms on the first floor. The gallery is 40 feet long by 27 feet wide, is top-lighted, and is provided with ladies' and gentlemen's retiring-rooms. Besides being approached through Plas Mawr, it has a main entrance from Chapel-street, to be used on special occasions. The work has been carried out by Messrs. Edward Thorp and Son, contractors, Llandudno, under the personal supervision of Mr. Harold Hughes, A.R.I.B.A., A.R.C.A.,from plans by Messrs. A. Baker and Harold Hughes, Bangor and London.  [Building News 31 January 1896 page 186]

Reference    Building News 31 January 1896 page 186
Reference    Builders Journal 18 December 1896