The Turner House, Penarth's iconic Grade II listed gallery, reopened today after four years of disuse.

Culture vultures across the town can now visit the 'BFG in Pictures' exhibition, the first in a non-stop programme fully booked until December 2022.

Curated by Roald Dahl's famous illustrator Quentin Blake, the exhibition contains 40 reproductions including illustrations not used when the book was first published in 1982.

According to Penarth Town Council, who manage the gallery, the artworks "chart the development of one of the most iconic characters in children's literature and a glimpse of a BFG that might have been.

"These are exhibited alongside reproductions of the final illustrations for the book, providing a fascinating insight into the collaboration between author and illustrator."

Until COVID restrictions relax, the gallery will be open on Thursdays and Fridays from noon to 4:20pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 4pm.

All exhibitions are free. COVID-19 restrictions will be enforced by two ever-present Town Council employees.

Ian Buckley, the newly appointed Town Mayor, was present at the gallery's long-awaiting reopening.

"We're gutted it had been put back, because so much work has been put into it," he told Nub News. "But now it's just brilliant to get it back open.

"The arts and culture have always been good in Penarth, so to be able to showcase not just national and international artists but local artists too, and workshops, is amazing.

"I'm looking forward to bringing my grandkids here, especially showing them the step-by-step drawings of the BFG."

The Town Council had initially planned to reopen in September 2020 with a Hayward Gallery Touring show of screen-prints by Eduardo Paolozzi.

This date was then pushed back to 24th of Jan 2021 due to the tightening of COVID-19 restrictions.

When the most recent lockdown was imposed, the schedule had to be rejigged yet again, and 'BFG in Pictures' became the opening exhibition.

Lewis Prosser, the Events and Marketing Coordinator for Penarth Town Council, is happy with the way things have worked out despite the difficult circumstances.

"This was meant to be halfway through the programme, but it's just great that we've been able to open with a family show," he said.

"We've tried to make sure there will be something for everyone. We're fully booked with exhibitions until 2022 - everything from international artists to brilliant local designers."

The exhibition will be displayed until 6 June. An exciting Henri Matisse ('Drawing With Scissors') exhibition will follow shortly afterwards followed by a collection of architectural photographs called Grid Forty Five.

The Turner House was first opened in 1888 to exhibit the personal collection of local flour merchant, James Pyke-Thompson.

He believed art improved wellbeing and made sure everyone could visit the gallery by opening on Sundays.

After Pyke-Thompson's death, the building was gifted to Amuegeddfa Cymru, the museum collective. The building was given Grade II listed status in 1993.

Many will also recall Ffotogallery, who took up residence in 2003 as the Welsh Centre for Photography until their departure in 2016.

If you want to know more about The Turner House or if have an idea for an event or exhibition, contact the Town Council via:

Tel: (0)7959926885