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.

Certainly not a fancy gallery, the building itself is if anything slightly run down; none of that…read morereally matters though, as I was most impressed by the actual exhibitions and the staff, which make this gallery worth a visit. The building is not too large, there are only really three rooms with art on display (one of them is rather minuscule). Whilst this inevitably makes the exhibitions small, I believe the available space is effectively used and the work on display is integrated seamlessly. The gallery generally houses exhibitions with pieces focusing on the topic of pre and post apartheid South Africa. Whilst mainly works of photography, there are one or two sculptures, and there are two installations which feature a projector. I found the present exhibition to be: - fascinating, evocative, odd, thought provoking, and on occasion slightly disturbing; reactions that I'm sure the gallery and the artists featured would desire. I was particularly impressed by the staff, who were both incredibly knowledgeable yet un patronising (they really offered a wealth of information). Unless you're particularly fascinated by art of South African origin, I wouldn't recommend making a trip to Penarth solely to visit this gallery, advice which is not issued in criticism, but due to the small size of the gallery (it would only take you 30mins at the most to explore). Penarth however is a fantastic little area of South Wales, so I recommend that you combine a trip to this gallery with a visit to other local attractions.

I'm a big fan of this gallery…read more Despite living just down the road from it for a number of months, I only really ventured in for the first time last week. I was pleasantly surprised by the modern and professional atmosphere that I suddenly found myself in. I'm not entirely sure what I had been expecting, but it was certainly not the wonderful photographic presentation before me. Although the gallery is small, they do a lot to maximise their space and put their artwork together in a thought provoking and interesting way, rather than just hanging it on the wall. This is a lovely gem not far from the train station, Penarth Pier and lots of cafes. I advise you to make a day of it.

This is one of Wales's leading private, commercial art galleries, housed in a 19th century extended…read moretownhouse and specialising mainly in showcasing well known Welsh artists or Wales-based artists, both past and contemporary. The exhibition space is split across three levels, with a purpose built extension, and holds monthly solo exhibition in the Main Gallery alongside a changing temporary exhibition of art work across the remaining two floors - incorporating paintings, sculptures and prints. The gallery is currently holding its Summer Exhibition, then from 12 August there's an exhibition of new paintings by Sigrid Muller, running until 4 September. The website offers full details of what's coming up, but generally you can expect to see works by highly respected and well-established Welsh artists such as Gwilym Prichard, Shani Rhys James and Kevin Sinnott, as well as some of the best works by the younger generation of Wales's artists. Alongside these contemporary works, the gallery features work by past, 20th century leading Welsh artists such as Sir Cedric Morris, John Piper, Graham Sutherland, Gwen John, Augustus John, Ceri Richards, David Jones, Josef Herman, Peter Prendergast and Sir Kyffin Williams. It's a lovely, light exhibition space, and well worth a regular visit if you love discovering art both old and new.

Established in 1989, Martin Tinney is a private commercial art gallery in a central Cardiff…read moretownhouse location. They have gained themselves a good reputation for showing some of the best known Welsh and Wales-based artists across their three floors of exhibition space. Artists who have been exhibited in the space include Harry Holland, Sally Moore, Gwilym Prichard, Shani Rhys James, Kevin Sinnott, Evelyn Williams, Gwen John, Augustus John, Ceri Richards, David Jones, Sir Cedric Morris, John Piper, Graham Sutherland, Josef Herman, Peter Prendergast and Sir Kyffin Williams. The emphasis is on quality portraiture and landscape by leading names, and, as a commercial gallery you will not see the innovation of the newer artist-led gallery spaces such as TactileBosch, G39 and Swansea's Elysium Gallery. Less exciting, in my eyes then, certainly, but still worth a regular visit. There are monthly solo exhibitions in the main gallery, and a constantly changing exhibition of paintings, prints and sculpture on the other two gallery floors. The gallery also have an archive of work in their store, which may be viewed on request. Bonus Points? An Arts Council of Wales interest-free credit scheme is available for purchase of work by living artists.

Sitting within the confines of St David's 2, the only thing I could afford to buy in this store is…read morea copy of The Fine Art Preview which cost me £2.50. If you're just passing by and don't have £500 or more burning a hole in your pocket then you may well simply pass on by without a second glance. However, if you have an eye for art, or simply know what you like, if something catches your eye whilst walking by, you may find yourself drawn inside for a closer look. I found myself gazing at one of the pieces in the window for around 15 minutes before I realised. When I did realise how long I'd been entangled, I felt obliged to venture inside and see what else they had to offer. Inside I expected to find snobbery and judgement but this simply isn't true. The staff there appeared very down to earth, very willing to just talk about art and to provide as much information for you as they can offer to you. I didn't feel out of place at all, in fact, if I had the money I dare say I would have walked out of there with more than just a magazine. This is a place for all art lovers to visit even if your wallet doesn't meet their price range. I think they have an impressive gallery and are probably highly overlooked, too easily disregarded in the retail environment they are surrounded by.

Inside of the huge new shopping complex of the city centre of Cardiff there's a little art gallery…read morefull of pretty pricey paintings. It's called the Blue Dot Gallery and it's got a wide variety of art available. There's water painting, traditional landscapes, more modern artistic techniques, work by local artists, sculptures, and work by Rolf Harris. You heard correct. The Rolfmeister himself. The art isn't cheap, some pieces can be a few grand, but if you are on the look-out for some art then there are some available for a couple of hundred pound. Now, for the likes of me that is an extortionate amount to pay for anything that isn't, oh I don't know, extra money. But it's not bad value, I suppose. They also offer an option for some pieces to be paid for over a longer period on an interest free basis.

Lovers of the contemporary this one is for you…read more The quiet shop front of G39 hides behind it's glass buzzing televisions, cardboard cut out meat, art things of all description and a curator waiting to answer your profoundest of queries. This quirky art gallery in the middle of the city centre attracts both accidental visits from curious passerby's and deliberate visits from those in the arty know. G39's petite gallery space provides a platform for the work of early to mid career artists. There are three floors to explore, but I have also seen a secret cellar open up for some 'special' exhibits. If you attend an opening here expect to be squashed like sardines, spill out into bustling Mill lane with wine stained lips and when the doors close migrate to Chapter to continue your schmoozing.

G39 is an artist-run organisation - part gallery, part community and part resource. Established in…read more1998 by artists Chris Brown and Anthony Shapland it hosts exhibitions in the permanent 'white cube' space as well as organising public art that uses offsite temporary venues including digital display boards, billboards, shipping containers, warehouses and empty shop units. The ethos? They say this: "The idea of providing independent or new ways of working acknowledges a certain ideological belief that the self-empowering nature of artist-run spaces could be used to shape culture. A willingness to be open to change, being flexible enough to adapt and respond to dominant political or cultural trends - whether for or against - has ensured that these spaces have maintained a key position in the mechanisms of the artworld." G39 certainly has a key foothold in the Cardiff artscene. The narrow three-storey townhouse has housed many fantastic exhibitions and the independent gallery has gained a reputation for flexibility and innovation, as well as giving exhibiting space and support to emerging artists and curators. Long may it continue.

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!

who wouldn't enjoy a bacon and egg roll with a pork snag thrown in for good measure all enjoyed on…read morea beautiful victorian Pier? My dad calls Pork Snags, Snorkers... I don;t know wether he is enlightened or demented.

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.