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Dylan Thomas Centre

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Dylan Thomas Centre
Dylan Thomas Centre
Map
Former namesSwansea Guildhall
General information
Architectural styleneo-classical style
LocationWales Swansea, Wales
AddressSomerset Place, Swansea SA1 1RR
Coordinates51°37′09.00″N 3°56′09.00″W / 51.6191667°N 3.9358333°W / 51.6191667; -3.9358333
Completed1829
Renovated1995
OwnerCity and County of Swansea Council
Design and construction
Architect(s)John Collingwood
Main contractorThomas Bowen
References
Listed Building – Grade II*
Official nameThe Old Guildhall (Former Annexe to Dynevor Comprehensive School)
Designated30 March 1987
Reference no.11643

The Dylan Thomas Centre is an arts centre located in the Maritime Quarter in Swansea, Wales. It is a Grade II* listed building.[1]

History

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The building was commissioned to replace a previous guildhall which had been located near Swansea Castle and dated back to the late 16th century.[2] The new building, which was designed by John Collingwood in the neo-classical style and built by Thomas Bowen, was completed in 1829.[1] It was remodelled to the plans of Thomas Taylor in 1852, using a design which was modelled on the Temple of Jupiter Stator in Rome.[1] The external design involved nine bays on each side with round-arched windows on the ground floor and tall round-arched windows flanked by Corinthian order columns on the first floor.[1]

It was converted for use as a juvenile employment centre after the civic leaders moved to the new Swansea Guildhall in 1934.[3] During the Second World War it was requisitioned by the army for use as a recruiting centre.[4] After reverting to use as a juvenile employment centre, it became a College of Further Education in 1960 and then became an annexe to Dynevor School in 1970 before closing in 1982.[4][5]

The building was officially re-opened by the American former President Jimmy Carter and the last Leader of the Swansea City Council, Trevor Burtonshaw, as the Dylan Thomas Centre in 1995.[6][7] In 2012 a large part of the Centre was leased by Swansea's council to the University of Wales with the purpose of using it as a business centre for creative industries.[8]

In October 2014, the Centre launched the permanent "Love the Words" exhibition which explores Dylan's life and work through a variety of media and including letters, books, worksheets and photographs.[9] It was made possible with support of nearly £1 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund.[10][11]

The Dylan Thomas Centre is home to a year-round programme of literary events, including book launches, plays, poetry evenings, changing exhibitions and science talks.[12] It also hosts the annual Dylan Thomas Festival held between Dylan’s birth and death dates, 27 October to 9 November.[13]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Cadw. "The Old Guildhall, Somerset Place (11643)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  2. ^ "The town hall by the castle". Swansea Council. Archived from the original on 11 October 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  3. ^ Cadw. "Swansea Guildhall (14594)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  4. ^ a b "History of the Dylan Thomas Centre". Dylan Thomas Centre. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  5. ^ "Dynevor School Centenary" (PDF). p. 13. Retrieved 24 August 2020.[permanent dead link]
  6. ^ "Dylan Thomas Centre: University of Wales leases Swansea building". BBC. 23 February 2012. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  7. ^ "Jimmy Carter to welcome visitors to Dylan Thomas house". BBC. 9 November 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  8. ^ "Artists' fears over Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea". 27 March 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  9. ^ "'Love the Words' Exhibition – Dylan Thomas.com is the official website about the writer". Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  10. ^ "New Exhibition Coming To Swansea's Dylan Thomas Centre". Centre Screen. Retrieved 24 August 2020.[permanent dead link]
  11. ^ "Dylan Thomas centre awarded nearly £1m in poet's centenary year". The Guardian. 10 April 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  12. ^ "Dylan Thomas Centre". Wales Tourists Online. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  13. ^ "Dylan Thomas Festival". dylanthomas.com. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
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