Open doors for makers - National Slate Museum

During Summer 2026 we invited two talented artists from the slate landscape areas, Jordan King and Ffion Pritchard, to our Collections Centre in Llandygai to begin a new project called Open Doors for Makers. The purpose of this project, as part of the wider redevelopment of the National Slate Museum, was to give local artists the opportunity to create creative works inspired by the slate landscape, and to encourage heritage themes within the local creative scene. It was also important for us to support the local creative sector through projects like this.  Emphasis was placed on making the project sustainable by ensuring that the materials used were ones that could be recycled, reused or repurposed.  Jordan and Ffion spent a full day in the Collections Centre being inspired by the National Slate Museum’s extensive collection. Over a period of two months, both artists completed the planning and creation of their artworks. Read more about their experiences below.

Jordan King – Jordan Christina Photography @jordanchristina_photography

My work specialises in photography and photo-based artworks; using mediums such as Welsh woollen threads, fibres and Welsh slate, these are sourced sustainably and as a bi product from the woollen and slate industries. Both working and living in an area from late quarrying heritage, I feel the use of slate in my work is paramount to emphasise the landscapes and the materials from the landscape. This is one thing that I like to carry throughout my artworks.

The main inspiration behind my 3D mixed media artwork was a quarryman’s helmet, described as a Cromwell protection safety helmet, from the National Slate Museum’s collection. This item is made of compressed cardboard. This item me the most inspiration and encouraged me to later decide on creating a single 3D piece, that also links several locations in the museum and objects to the one piece.

My creative approach to this process started off with the intention to create a mixed media artwork in my regular style, to work on a 2D photograph with 3D materials. This soon changed when I had the idea to create a physical 3D object, replicated with the method of paper mache. Once I had made the helmet shape with paper mache, I then painted the base and developed which photographs and materials I wanted to use on the exterior.

The inspiration for my choice of paint colours came from artist Ifor Pritchard and the publication “Craig Yr Oesoedd / True Grit” in which his artworks feature. The photographs I chose to display on the helmet were taken by myself on the “Silent Spaces” and “Hard Hat” tours at the National Slate Museum site in Llanberis and on invitation to the Collections Centre. Amongst the acknowledgement to the slate industry, there is also the

acknowledgement of the dangers of working in the quarries, but most importantly to Hugh Richard Jones who helped to ensure the opening of the museum we know today.

All the materials used for this project are as locally sourced and sustainable as possible. The main elements are as follows; recycled paper and card, locally sourced slate from Dyffryn Nantlle, Welsh tapestry material off cuts from Trefriw Woollen Mill and hand dyed woollen curls from Weki Wool.

Ffion Pritchard - @ffionartist

I’m a multidisciplinary artist who is passionate about stories, community and colour. Since graduating from the University of Brighton with a First Class Honours degree in Illustration, I’ve spent a decade working in television, design, fine art, participatory arts and support work, both in Wales and internationally.  This experimental work has led me into the world of art, health and wellbeing – where I use my passion for art, design and film to make meaningful change. I am currently studying for an MA in Art, Health and Wellbeing at the University of South Wales. Growing up in Gwynedd, it’s easy to take for granted the complex history – and also the beauty – of slate in the landscape. During my first degree, when moving away from home, I gained a new appreciation for this. It came to the forefront in my work as I experimented with painting and animating on slate through a unit exploring the history of my home through political struggle in the quarries.  

For the residency, I’ve been experimenting with photography, animation and writing. The film Marciau (“Marks”) was inspired by the idea of legacy – what we leave behind – and the sacrifice that creates a better world for future generations. In a completely different context, in the musical Hamilton, the main character wrestles with his need to leave a legacy throughout the drama. The ethical question running through it – “What is a legacy? It’s planting a seed in a garden you don’t get to see.” – is one I think about often, the bittersweet irony of sacrificing for a better world. This quote came to mind while browsing the museum’s collection of graffiti and marks left on Dinorwig quarry slate. These marks are a metaphor for the legacy that was left behind – the political struggle, the hard work and the oppression, as well as a glimpse into the social history of the quarry – the laughter and the characters. I am continuing to develop the film, adding a script and voiceover in the final version.  

If you would also like to be inspired by our collection, we run monthly tours around our Collections Centre where you can learn more about the redevelopment project, the process of moving our collection, and enjoy a unique opportunity to see our collection in a different environment before the Museum reopens. Click the link here to book your tickets!  

The redevelopment project is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, UK Government via Gwynedd Council as part of the Llewyrch o’r Llechi project, Welsh Government including the Community Facilities Programme, the Wolfson Foundation, the Garfield Weston Foundation and other funders. We are deeply grateful to all our funders for their support.