There are many talented artists living and working in Barry and the Vale of Glamorgan, and Jane Hutt AM has always been supportive of them and their work.  Indeed Jane and Julie Morgan AM, then South Glamorgan County Councillors, set up a Women’s Committee of the council in 1984, one of the first in the UK. The arts discussion group of the Women’s Committee evolved into the Women’s Arts Association, now a vibrant charity based in Cardiff. The Association holds an International Women’s Day exhibition every year. This years exhibition, at Arts Central, Barry Library, was opened by Jane and the Deputy Mayor of the Vale of Glamorgan, Cllr Margaret Wilkinson, on Saturday 12 March 2016. The exhibition runs until 16 April and is highly recommended.

On the same day Jane also visited local artist Glyn Pooley at his Cannon Hill Open Studio – she was so impressed that she bought one of his paintings!