 Galeri is finally open after 10 years of planning |
Wales' newest arts centre has been launched with a gala concert starring Bryn Terfel and harpist Catrin Finch. Friday's evening celebration at Galeri - Caernarfon's �7.5m Creative Enterprise Centre - kicked off a weekend of events.
The sell-out concert followed the official opening of Galeri by Terfel, its patron.
A weekend of events, concerts and free workshops has been organised to give a taste of the new creative arts hub.
The project to build the new centre in Caernarfon's Victoria Dock has been 10 years in the making .
Galeri houses a 400-seat theatre which doubles up as a cinema, an art space and cafe bar, as well as performance and rehearsal studios and conference rooms.
 |  The concept of Galeri provides a fascinating mix of artistic creativity and cultural enterprise |
"Set on the old Victoria dock with the Menai in front and Snowdonia as a backdrop, it is difficult to imagine any building in Wales with a better location," said Terfel, who said he is proud to be performing at the opening weekend.
"Galeri will make a valuable contribution to cultural and artistic life in the area, attracting not only top Welsh artists but international performers," the singer added.
"The concept of Galeri provides a fascinating mix of artistic creativity and cultural enterprise."
The launch weekend also included performances by a chamber orchestra, and events like salsa and drumming workshops.
A performance by poet Benjamin Zephaniah rounded off Galeri's first weekend.
 Children from the Caernarfon area performed at the opening concert |
"The opening of Galeri is a special and exciting occasion for Caernarfon, which marks a significant development for the arts and creative industries in North Wales," said Gwyn Roberts, chief executive of Cwmni Tref Caernarfon, which was behind the centre.
"The purpose of Galeri is to be the focus for the arts and the creative industries in the region.
"As a centrepoint, we hope that Galeri will be an inspiration to promote additional artistic and creative activities throughout the area, develop skills and confidence in the community and present a varied programme of entertainment."
Construction of the centre began in 2003 - seven years after the project was first conceived.
It was designed to fill a gap in the number of theatre and cinema venues in that part of north Wales.
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