Deborah Dalton

Deborah never believed she would ever attend university or study art. As a child, drawing was the one thing she could do, beyond that school didn’t really work for her.

Deborah joined Oriel Davies full time in 2019 becoming Visitor Experience Manager (gallery).

She began volunteering back in 2015 whilst studying a BA in Fine Art at Glyndwr University, later becoming a member the relief staff team, as a gallery guide and front of house assistant.

Her MA involved focused drawing research into neuro-diverse sensory overload, following her own diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Drawing became a tool to record, question and communicate the environmental impacts of sensory overload.

Art opened a new and exciting chapter in her life and drawing is her safe place and prescription for finding focus and calm.

“I enjoy being by the sea, the rhythm and motion of the waves, and the smell and taste of salt in the air.”

WHAT YOU LIKE ABOUT WHAT ORIEL DAVIES DOES:

Oriel Davies is an extraordinary destination within Mid Wales and the borders, providing visitors and the local community a portal into the art world.

Being a popular meeting place, visitors come to enjoy the gallery environment, whether popping in for a cuppa, visiting the exhibitions, or to shop.

I enjoy the conversations I have with visitors. Providing a supportive environment that is accessible for everybody to visit, enjoy, explore and engage with works of art.

The gallery is a unique place of contemplation, learning and engagement. I am extremely aware of the importance of these spaces for our visitors.

A FAVOURITE CULTURAL ARTIFACT:

In all its shapes and forms, the pencil. A tool fashioned and used throughout our history to visualise and communicate. Mark making tools date back over 45,000 years to prehistoric cave paintings.