Tenby Museum and Art Gallery has appointed a new Curator, who has a passion for culture and heritage - and long-standing love of local artist Gwen John.

Hannah Saunders has taken on the role, after spending the past year as Interpretation Officer at the oldest independent Museum in Wales, which sits on the seaside town’s Castle Hill.

“I’m very excited to have been appointed as the Curator of Tenby Museum & Art Gallery. I've had the pleasure of working here for over a year, spending my working days with the paintings of Gwen John, Nina Hamnett and Ray Howard-Jones, the Caldey Reliquary, suits of Armour and boundless treasure. For this I am forever grateful,” said Hannah who lives in Goodwick.

“I’ve been working towards this role for over a decade now, and I'm so pleased that it's here in Tenby that it's happened, where I’ve spent my life visiting my mother's side of the family.

“I learnt to walk on the beach below the museum, enjoyed days at Mentone and out sailing on Accolade and my family's ashes are scattered in the sea behind St Catherine’s in ‘Mackerel Alley’.

“My great grandmother Mary Simmonds was a Friend of the Museum and I wish she, my great grandfather Eric, and my great aunt Sally were still around so I could knock on their door, nip down the harbour, or pop into the sailing club to tell them my news.

“A full circle moment, and we love a full circle moment!”

After graduating in 2015 and completing an MA in 2018, Hannah has worked in various roles across the arts sector, from facilitating artists residencies, to documenting and evaluating community arts events.

Her biggest passions and research interests revolve around Medieval Saints and Anchorites of the British Isles, their relics, cults and pilgrimage routes.

“The artist who I adore the most has to be Gwen John, so how very lucky I am to have found myself in this role; just the other day we had a request to use Gwen’s beautiful portrait of her sister Winifred on a book cover, and lo and behold, the book it will adorn is a new edition of my Great Great Great Aunt Moelona’s book ‘Ffynnonloyw’. It seems like I’m in the right place at the right time!” she continued.

“So glad to be coming into this post with such a brilliant team of staff, volunteers, friends and trustees, and I have faith that in a time where culture and heritage is often being axed and undermined across this island, that we can all push the Museum forward as we approach our 150th anniversary in 2028,” continued Hannah.

“With your support, visits and collaboration, I believe we can ensure this long-standing and wonderful institution will survive for another 150 years, at the very least!

“Keep an eye out for our 2025 arts programme which kicks off in March, as we’re very excited to have the likes of Mohamed Hassan, Meinir Mathias, Laurie Broughton, SPAF Collective and Abi Makepeace exhibit with us this year.”