A second venue for Tides Fine Art Gallery
Tides Fine Art Gallery is an established small, independent, and artist-led gallery run by Tim Kelly. It has long been a familiar presence in Mumbles and is known for its unique collection of original artworks created by artists based in Wales. The gallery showcases a variety of creative works, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, stained and fused glass, jewellery, books, and greeting cards.
Tim was looking to open a second branch of the Gallery, closer to his home in Mount Pleasant, so the opportunity to work with Urban Foundry’s PopUp Wales project to secure a new pop-up home at 45 Uplands Crescent was really exciting for Tim. The flexible nature of a pop-up space was an ideal solution, allowing the gallery to explore exhibiting and trading in a new area without the long-term commitment of a traditional lease.
Transforming an empty space into a gallery
Urban Foundry worked closely with Tim to transform the space into a stylish gallery. This included making it accessible by installing a concrete ramp, renovating the flooring, creating a neutral and adaptable interior by white boxing the space, and cladding the exterior and painting the fascia sign to increase its pavement appeal. The landlord was really pleased to see the space repurposed in such a meaningful way.
The new gallery space opened to the public in December. Urban Foundry provided support throughout the process, helping to secure the space, navigate administrative hurdles, and bring the shop’s design to life.
“We love our small Gallery in Mumbles – a beautiful seaside setting, but we wanted to bring the Gallery closer to the established arts community in Swansea. Uplands is a culturally important part of Swansea, and Uplands District Centre is the ideal location. Thanks to PopUp Wales and Swansea Council, we are now open and engaging with the local community, showcasing quality contemporary art, which we hope will enhance the vitality and vibrancy of the area. We love it here and hope we can stay longer.”
Tim Kelly, Owner of Tides Fine Art Gallery
“We absolutely love Uplands! Having run Uplands Market since 2013, it’s been amazing to be here with PopUp Wales. It’s been exciting to work with Tim to bring his fantastic Tides Fine Art Gallery here. Pop-ups and meanwhile spaces have such a transformative impact – not just for businesses but for the area as a whole, shifting perceptions and adding vitality. This pop-up also brings cultural significance, which makes it even more special. We’re proud to support Tim and hope to help him stay here long-term.”
Tara Tarapetian, Director, Urban Foundry
A positive impact on Uplands
The gallery’s impact on the local community and cultural landscape has already been significant.
The Western Mail recently ran an article about the new space and said ‘The opening of Tides pop-up gallery in Uplands, Swansea, promises to provide a focal point for visual art in one of the city’s most creative areas.’
By bringing original art to Uplands, it has boosted the area’s artistic and cultural offering and created new opportunities for local artists to connect with an audience in a different setting. The space itself has become a hub for creativity for residents and visitors. It has repurposed an underutilised space and has brought a new business to the Uplands District Centre, showcasing how creative initiatives can contribute to urban regeneration.
Tides Fine Art Gallery is located at 45 Uplands Crescent, Uplands, Swansea SA2 0NP and is open 10am – 5pm, Wednesday to Sunday.
This project is an Urban Foundry initiative delivered in collaboration with Swansea Council. It is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
