This annual celebration of Welsh design talent takes place each October, packing in stacks of…read moredesign-related events. Aimed at members of the public, businesses and fellow designers, the festival showcases Welsh design by turning the spotlight on a wide range of areas within the sector, hosting talks, exhibitions and even drawing workshops where you can turn up and try out your own design and drawing skills with Cardiff School of Art & Design, and Cardiff Open Art School tutor and artist Christopher Holloway. Events take place in various venues, so you need to check out the website's events page to find out more - for example the drawing workshop mentioned above takes place in a unit within Morgan Arcade, just opposite Neal's Yard Remedies, while other events take place at the art college. The 'Best of Welsh Design' awards event, announcing this year's winners, is also incorporated into the festival - having received submissions earlier in the year (and with the shortlist announced today, 1 October!).

This is definitely one for your diary...!…read more The Cardiff Design Festival really is an annual treat! Hosted at various venues around our nations capital, it is a positively splendid affair! Held every October it showcases 'The Best of Welsh Design', which really is more diverse than you might think! There's also a programme of design related events curated with the intention of educating and informing, as well as to inspire and perhaps even provoke. In addition there's also a series of talks, alongside the exhibitions and events. These run from 1st to 16th October. Don't miss it, especially if you are looking for that wow factor for your home!

The Albany Gallery is a great little commercial gallery that is located above Zio Peppino on the…read moreAlbany Road. There is every reason to visit Albany Gallery at any time of the year, but there's presently an even more compelling reason to make the effort to go there. The current exhibition will be on for the duration of the summer, and features work from some of the best of contemporary Welsh artists. And it's excellent! There are circa. 70 different artists exhibiting, who specialise in all different kinds of media and subject. Prices for work exhibited vary dramatically, starting at incredibly affordable prices. Now is definitely the time to buy fine art. The art market has not been this depressed in a long time, and with galleries exerting pressure on the artists to keep their work affordable, prices have dipped or remained static for a while. It's difficult for an artist to discount their work as it devalues the pieces that have been sold previously, and so there is an unwritten obligation borne by each artist to protect the commercial interests of existing patrons. Nevertheless, galleries are going out of business left, right and centre, and those that remain are doing al they can to preserve the market. Keeping prices affordable is one of the key means of doing this. Artists tend to increase the sale price of their work on a regular basis. It is common to see considerable price increases within a short space of time. Each successful exhibition, of which an artist will have several a year, will prompt them to review the value of their work. A successful exhibition at a high profile gallery that has been met with critical approval in the media may cause an artist to add a nought to their sale price, taking the value fo their work from £500 per piece to £1,500 for example. This means that price increases have been seriously inhibited owing to the fact that the art market has remained relatively static throughout the duration of the recession. Therefore, prices should rocket once the market has stabilised once more, making any investment today a good one. Obviously you have got to buy right, so it pays to know what you are doing, but quite often buyers can make a killing just by buying what they like... (if they like it, it usually follows that other people do too, and demand ultimately regulates the market).

I definatly think this is one of the best galleries we have here in Cardiff. I was introduced to it…read moreby my art teacher and have been a few times when I like the sound of an exhibition the have on. Of course any gallery is only as good as its exhibitions and their website is very good at letting you know whats on when and shows you the kind of art they do. I love the fact that it shows the very best of contemporary British artists. It even hosted an exhibition by the late Kyffin Williams who is arguably one of Wales greatest artists. You can't help but feel inspired and the staff are very approachable and happy to talk to you about the pieces.

This tower block on the corner of The Parade and City Road is the main centre of A-Levels for Coleg…read moreGlan Hafren. Here people aged 16-100 can study English, Film, Media, Languages, Psychology, Hair & Beauty and much more. The reason I've given this campus 4 stars, rather than the 3 stars I gave to the others, is the high standard of teaching. Especially in the English and Media departments, I found some of the best teachers that I've ever had. I took 4 A-Levels (one of which I did both AS and A2 years at the same time) and I don't think I would ever have been able to do it without the encouragement I found here. Situated within easy walking distance from the city centre and Queens Street Railway Station, this is a great choice for anyone not quite sure what to do after finishing GCSEs. Go. Learn about Chaucer.

Coleg Glan Hafren has four sites split over two main campuses - one near the city centre and the…read moreother in Rumney. I did an IT evening class at the Parade city centre site a while back, and a couple of people I know studied A Levels there - and as is the case at most colleges, the learning experience varied depending on the subjects they chose to study and the teachers they ended up with. The college offers about 800 different courses - some full time (e.g. A Levels) and others part time (such as evening IT training programmes). It has some 10,000 students enroled at any one time, ranging in age from 16 right up to about 80. Some courses are academic, such as many of the A Levels they offer, whereas others are vocational, whether it's teaching a trade such as auto engineering, or other skills such as childcare, creative design, business studies and sports. For those finishing their GCSEs, Coleg Glan Hafran actually offers a wider range of A Levels than any other institution in Cardiff (more than 30 different subjects, in fact) - so if you're looking for something less mainstream they may just offer it.

I have been a patient of Dr Guys for close on 10 years. Loyal to the root since I found him. Having…read morea fairly decent set of chompers I wish to keep my 'Pearly Whites' fully intact, and forever smiling, as I grew up with the phrase; "your teeth are your crowning glory, dear." I also like to chew and taste every meaty morsel of my food. Being the losing side of XY (wink, wink) a liquid diet is not an option, and I wish to stave off drinking from a straw for a while longer (please). But an infected/abscess forming tooth had me literally pre-molaring to Dr Guy's surgery - thankfully, an instant, no hassle, same day appointment - no waiting, no bothersome queues...hmm...timing was on my side. His fully equipped, pristine/dust free surgery - eat off the floor...and the warmth and efficiency from everyone on board at this 'Star Ship Dental Centre' is not only reassuring, but warming as well. An in-depth symptom discussion, Xray/look-see allowed for precise analysis that was again, incredibly efficient, explaining the options/exploring the possibilities. Financial debates with oneself. Certainly an extraction for me leaving a Terry Thomas style of 'Mind The Gap' was not an option. So, with the other 'less than desirable' and 'not always on a winning horse' outcome and longevity of a possible root canal and crown option hanging out in the stalls, it was a no-brainer to head straight for the finishing post with a decision for an implant. And this was not straight from the horse's mouth. To me if you are going to pay 'so much' for something that 'may' not suit your mouth metal, your immune system is questionable, your tolerance level etc and then find that after 10 years or sadly, much less, you are back in the chair having another financial debate with yourself, therefore, why not just cut to the chase and spend that 'bit' more (okay, it's not cheap) to settle your gums for the next 20 years plus, with the knowledge that you could have a stable tooth (implant) installed for life rather than pussy footing around with a root canal and all of the palaver this entails. Penny wise, pound foolish at the end of the day never saved anyone anything - let alone agony. So, what can I say? I am extremely happy with my decision and my mouth, and needless to say my gums are smiling pretty as well.

From the owner: Professional dental implant centre located in the Cardiff area. State of the art dental implant…read morepractice with the latest technology: CT scanner, guided surgery, and X-guide.

This is the premiere place to study drama or music in Wales with a world wide reputation and…read moregraduates including Sir Antony Hopkins, Rob Byrdon, Ruth Jones, Dougray Scott and many more. I've had the pleasure of working with students from here as well as visiting many of the shows and exhibitions they put on. I can honestly say they are a very talented bunch of people and it must be a great place to learn. Its currently undoing a big of a revamp to make the college look as good as the performances and provide new facilitates. This a real institution that all of Wales should be proud of.

In 2009 I was part of a topical panel show that was broadcast on BBC Radio Wales. The show was…read morepre-recorded on a weekly basis in front of a live audience in The Bute Theatre at The Royal Welsh College of music and drama. It's a fabulous little intimate venue and if you ever get a chance to see a decent production here then its worth going. I am not sure if business is as usual at the moment because it is under going a £22.5 million building re-design. The new buildings are due to open in the Spring of 2011 but the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama is Wales' leading music and drama conservatoire and this new addition to the College's professional training and performance facilities comprises The Richard Burton Theatre. It was recently named at a gala evening at Buckingham Palace, along with the 450-seat Concert Hall, four Acting & Movement Studios and an Exhibition Gallery. So it held in high regard.

This museum is the perfect price. Free! It is a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours. There…read moreis lots of natural history as well as cultural history. Everything is in both English and Welsh. The natural history area had videos ad well as exhibits detailing the geographic history of the region. The Art of the Selfie exhibit had a small cost which was quite fair. Van Gogh's Self Portrait was the main draw, but they also had Rembrandt and other artists. In the other rooms, there were so many artifacts. Rooms within rooms and beyond, you can lose hours reading about everything on display.

it was a pretty good experience, but no one warned me that the bloody dinosaurs are getting starved…read morebecause they are literally just bones. animal mistreatment is NOT a joke I want to support, I cannot believe the STATE of this museum. Good value for money as its free. Cool stones and a selection of STARVED AND DEAD animals. and the service was poor because they encourage this. the toilets are good for kids, AND OTHER THINGS.

Been here loads of times mainly taking part in an art group class on fridays hired privately by a…read moretutor, open for private hire has a group of independant gallery artists studios all hired out to gallery members I think, has a good ground floor gallery space for artists exhibitions lots of natural light. Well worth a visit when there is an exhibition going on, located not far from the well known chapter arts centre in canton side of cardiff city.

This is a lovely little gallery set in the ground floor of a terraced house in Canton, around the…read morecorner from Chapter. Run by the artist's co-operative OLA, Oriel Canfas Gallery and Studios was established in 1998 to provide decent, affordable studios and high quality exhibition space. The gallery represents the work of OLA member artists and provides a showcase for a diverse range of contemporary visual art in Wales. As such, OLA's house accommodates 10 artists' studios, a workshop area and the gallery itself. They host 10 per year by artists from Wales and beyond, with all exhibitors nominated by the co-operative's membership and exhibitions across a variety of media which include painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, photo-visual works and light installations. As well as exhibitions the gallery also hosts a number of informal and interesting talks, book launches and arts-related events. Bonus points? 1) They are a member of the Collector Plan run by the Arts Council of Wales. This fantastic scheme means that you can buy art by paying in monthly instalments. 2) The staff are always welcoming, and visitors are always welcome.

University Of Wales Institute Cardiff, or UWIC for short, has badged itself "Cardiff's Metropolitan…read moreuniversity" and seems to specialises mainly in more vocational, career-focused courses rather than hardcore academic studies you'll find at Cardiff University. A lot of their courses have been designed and developed alongside industry and business. UWIC's history actually dates back to the 1800s, when in 1865 the School of Art first opened in the Old Free Library Building in St Mary Street in the city centre. There's no UWIC site at this premises now, but the art school at its current site in Howard Gardens is still the place to study art in Cardiff. The university is made up of five Academic Schools: the well-known Cardiff School of Art & Design; the Cardiff School of Education, which is one of the leading providers of teacher training in the UK; the Cardiff School of Health Sciences, which recently opened a £4.9 million research centre; the Cardiff School of Management, which offers the largest on-campus MBA in the UK; and the renowned Cardiff School of Sport. It's spread across four campuses - Howard Gardens (Arts) is quite central, while Cyncoed (Education & Sport), Llandaff (Health Sciences and Management) and Plas Gwyn Residential Campus are all a bit of a hike from the city centre.

More commonly known as UWIC, this was my university. I studied English and Popular Culture here for…read more3 years and had an awesome time doing it. My course was based on Cyncoed campus which is mainly a sports campus with the NIAC at the back. All of the Campuses are modern and clean, and filled with helpful people to point you in the right direction when you inevitably get lost during the first week. The School of Art, Howard Gardens, is right next to the city centre, with Colchester Avenue is a little further down the road. Llandaff and Cyncoed are the biggest of the campuses and are a lot further away, but there are regular buses from town, and a dedicated bus service called the UWIC rider that goes to them all and Plas Gwyn halls of residence. The accommodation on the UWIC campuses aren't the best I've ever seen, but they are by no means the worst, either, and you are provided with everything you need. However, it's worth checking out the Liberty Living halls of residence in Cardiff which, while slightly more expensive and some are a pain to get to uni from, are much nicer and most have rooms reserved for UWIC students. The two big disappointments about UWIC, for me, were the library facilities, which leave a lot to be desired (although they are gradually being updated) and the Students Union. The UWIC SU hardly compares to that of other universities. Because sport is such a big thing at UWIC, it is the main interest of the SU and there are hardly any other clubs or societies. However, the SU bars (Centro and Tommy's at Cyncoed and Howard Gardens respectively) aren't at all bad, and the convenience stores and copy shops provide a good and valuable service to its students. Some things do seem like a work in progress, but overall this is a great university with a lot of fantastic lecturers and courses, and shouldn't be overlooked if you're thinking of studying in Cardiff.

Want an education, in media did you say? Yea, don't come here…read more As a graduate that studied in both the Ponty and Cardiff area of Glamorgans uni's I can safely say I wished it stayed at Pontypridd. You can't help but be made to feel that this building was built for business reasons and not for the students welfare. There was a lot of back slapping when the Atrium was first opened and a lot of hiding disgruntled students out of the press's way. The building was just over half built when it opened and was a building site. Nothing was ready and equipment was sparse, my heart bled for people studying in their third year. Talking of equipment, there is a scarce amount for 1000's of media students all needing the 20 or so cameras available, add a shambolic ordering system that doesn't work that will charge an extortionate amount to students if they are but mere minutes late and you've got yourself a lot of unhappy people trapped within this educational house. The cafe is overly expensive and is far more of an upmarket cafe that does not adhere to the tight budgets student are on. However the staff are always lovely here. More than can be said for the reception. I can't remember the guys name as I would shame him here right now, but he is the most unhelpful, obnoxious man that has ever been hired. I've seen him be so rude to kids who are just trying to hand there work in I'm surprised he still works there, shameful. And that incompetence seems to run throughout the staff employed here. I had a lot of problems within the second year and was treated disgustingly. What was worse is that I could not go to anyone to help me as there was no governing body to go to outside of the uni, it all felt that they did what was best for them, not you. There are however some great teachers here and learnt a lot out of those few. However I can't help but feel it was alot down to my determination that I got the results I wanted out of here, not them in the slightest. Oh and there is going to be no union as of next year, not the uni experience you would hope for then. Seriously, if you are looking to visit here please speak to students who reside here already before you make your decision. I am a disgruntled ex student yes, but I can honestly say there are a majority of students there that feel the same but do not have a way to express them. Seek elsewhere for further education.

As a local musician, I'm always on the lookout for new places to play or record, and for fresh…read morepeople to get in contact with to see what comes out of a new collaboration and when The Atrium opened its doors properly, I danced a small jig. Being the Glamorgan teaching centre for anything media related, there is an entire section dedicated to sound recording with four floors of recording studios kitted out with a huge amount of brand new, high-powered equipment. Having recorded in there numerous times for a variety of different projects, I know that the quality of the end recording relies mostly on the skill of the students and the quality has, except for one glaring exception, been fantastic. Aside from this, the building is a beautiful addition to a city skyline that is rapidly becoming far more interesting than it previously was. With the wonderful, idiosyncratic camera-shaped conservatory building greeting traffic heading from the Bay, it makes a nice introduction to the city centre.