Dowlais situated above Merthyr Tydfil at the Heads of the Valleys is not generally known for its contribution to Welsh Art. Dowlais can be divided into three distinct areas – Dowlais itself, Caeharris and Dowlais Top. Dowlais is notable for it’s Ironworks and Male Voice Choirs.
The artist Thomas Prydderch was from Dowlais. He worked at the Cyfarthfa Ironworks. Lady Winbourne one of the owners of Cyfarthfa noted his paintings and transferred him from the Foundry to the engineering drawing office. Years later he attended the Slade School of Fine Art London. Cyfarthfa Castle Museum hold several of his works related to the Cyfarthfa Ironworks.
The Welsh painter Cedric Morris worked in Dowlais offering painting and sculpture lessons to the workers, when the Steelworks closed and many people were unemployed. During this time Morris produced his own paintings notably “Dowlais from the Cinder Tips” and the icon Painting “Caeharris Post Office” (Cyfarthfa Casltle Museum).
The Penny Art Classes were held at Gwernllwyn House, Caeharris. The classes were introduced by John Denithorne, who was responsible for bringing the artist Heinz Koppel to Dowlais. From 1944 onwards Koppel lived at Caeharris where he taught painting at the Penny Art Classes.The surrounding landscape of the Heads of the Valleys was an important subject in his work. He was one the original members who formed the 56Group when 12 members of the WelshGroup wished to feature their work as representing Contemporary and Modern Art in Wales.
The Dowlais Top born artist Robert Alwyn Hughes was a schoolboy when first introduced to Heinz Koppel and visited his studio at Gwernllwyn House. An experience that was later to influence his earlier work depicting the landscape surrounding Dowlais Top and 1961 (At Valleys End series). Dowlais Top played a significant influence in his work over the years, and more recent work through drawings, paintings and film.
The artist Robert Alwyn Hughes and the Welsh designer Laura Ashley share the distinction of both living at Station Terrace, Dowlais Top in their earlier years.
Laura Mountney(Ashley) born 1925 of Welsh parents. Laura’s mother returned home to Dowlais Top from London at the time to allow Laura to be born in Wales and lived at Station Terrace until 1932 before returning to London. During the War Laura returned to Wales as an vacuee. Later returning to London to establish a textile printing company, Finally in 1960, settling down in Mid Wales where she set up a successful cottage industry which became known Internationally as – Laura Ashley Design.