A GALLERY showcasing international art photography from across the globe opened its doors in Pontypool this weekend.

On Saturday, February 11, the Kickplate Project officially opened their gallery 76m2 which will run until December 2017, hosting nine free exhibitions from international and Wales artists.

The space— based at the former Plaid Cymru offices in two Portland Buildings, Commercial Street — launched with its first show Full Fathom Five by University of South Wales photography lecturer Celia Jackson.

The exhibition — which showcases a collection of seascapes taken with a pinhole camera — commemorate her father, who died swimming in the sea six years ago.

Artist Zosia Krasnowolska, of the Kickplate Project, said: “We're very excited about starting this project in Pontypool, we hope that our visitors will enjoy our exhibitions and that we'll manage to raise more interest in fine art and analogue photography.

“For those who are camera enthusiasts we're setting up a free darkroom at the back of our shop. We'd also like to make our gallery available to local voluntary groups as a space for workshops or meetings, so anyone who'd be interested in this should pop in."

“We're eager to meet the local residents and we'd like to invite everyone to pop in and say hello," she added.

With origins as a pop-up gallery, The Kickplate Project aims to broaden art photography’s audience in Wales with a goal of “fighting small-town boredom”.

Following exhibitions in Bargoed, artists Zosia Krasnowolska and Dafydd Williams have re-located to Torfaen with £18,500 Arts Council of Wales funding and support from Pontypool Community Council and Torfaen Arts Development.

The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday (11am – 6pm), is wheelchair accessible and is displayed in large print, audio recording and both English and Welsh.

Artist Celia Jackson will also visit the gallery on Saturday, February 18, hosting a workshop on pinhole photography. Her current exhibition will run until Tuesday, March 7.

For more information on the ‘Kickplate Project’ and to keep with updates for the gallery, visit http://thekickplateproject.weebly.com/.

Alternatively, search ‘Kickplate Project’ on Facebook, email thekickplateproject@gmail.com or receive updates on the groups Twitter page @kickingtheplate