AS the National Eisteddfod got underway in Tregaron at the weekend, seven brand-new portraits of seven writers from Ceredigion – including Dic Jones, T Llew Jones, Menna Elfyn and Hywel Teifi Edwards – were unveiled.

The Ceredigion Eisteddfod Literature Committee asked Blaenporth-based artist Malcolm Gwyon to create the original portraits which were unveiled at a special launch at Pentre, Tregaron, on Sunday and will be on display throughout the week.

Sponsored by Ceredigion County Council’s Education Department, the portraits will be presented to the county’s secondary schools – where the writer has a connection with that school or local area – after the Eisteddfod.

Dic Jones’ portrait will be placed at Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi, Hywel Teifi Edwards’ at Ysgol Uwchradd Aberaeron, Menna Elfyn at Ysgol Bro Pedr, T Llew Jones at Ysgol Bro Teifi, Caryl Lewis at Ysgol Penglais, Lleucu Roberts at Ysgol Gyfun Penweddig and Lyn Ebenezer at Ysgol Henry Richard.

Gwenallt Llwyd Ifan, Chair of the Pwyllgor Llên, said: “A big thank you to the Pwyllgor Llên (Literature Committee) and Malcolm Gwyon for their work and vision.

“We believe that we should celebrate the wealth of talent produced by this county. This project is therefore a special legacy; one that will be an inspiration to the next generation of poets and writers in Ceredigion.”

Cllr Catrin M S Davies, Ceredigion County Council Cabinet Member with responsibility for Culture, Leisure and Customer Services, said: “This is a special project to highlight some of Ceredigion’s writers and celebrate the county’s special literary tradition.

“Placing these portraits in our schools will hopefully inspire our young people to enjoy literary culture and also to appreciate, participate and benefit from our wider artistic world.”