We are pleased to announce that Pete Jones has been appointed our club’s first ever Associate Artist, writes Dafydd Hughes. Pete is a familiar face to our supporters and is an accomplished artist.

After studying at Chester School of Art, Pete completed a degree in Fine Art (Painting) at Loughborough College of Art & Design during 1983. His currently planned shows include "Y BAE"(The Bay) solo exhibition at Storiel, Bangor when restrictions allow..

This is what Pete has to say:

"Following some discussion with the Bangor 1876 Board, I am extremely please to have been officially recognised by the club as its first "Associate artist". As an artist I am primarily a painter, however I also experiment with photography, film and music - A logical question that many might ask at this point is "what does an artist have to do with a football club"?

I strongly believe that the arts, in whatever form, are an important part of any community and the arts can enliven and enrich all our lives. As a fan (and co-owner) of Bangor 1876 I am aware of the club's aspiration to become a positive force within the local community. I am also aware that there are many artists, in a range of spheres, that also follow the club. We have writers, poets, musicians, singers and even chaired bards that support the club and its ethos.

I think that we should at least explore the possibility of harnessing some of this creative talent and energy, using Bangor 1876 as a focal point. The aim is to develop a whole range of "Associate artists" at the club, all involved in projects relating to the club and community, no matter how modest. The arts can have a positive impact within the health and well-being of communities and this is an area we would like to explore further.

When we visited F.C United for our first ever match we caught a glimpse of what a future matchday could be like at Treborth, including live bands and DJs and various cultural and or educational activities, perhaps there could be a regular "Aye-steddfod" on the banks of the Menai!?

Hopefully this development will be the start of a positive process of engagement with creative individuals and other potential stakeholders to explore any ways that we can use the arts to support Bangor 1876 to make a positive contribution to the social and cultural life of our city and region."