The Vale of Clwyd Senedd member has praised Cardiff's 'treasured' museum for preserving Wales's cultural heritage.
Gareth Davies MS, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism, Sport and North Wales, recently visited the National Museum Cardiff.
This visit was described as 'insightful and engaging'.
During the visit, he was given an exclusive tour of the museum's collections.
The tour began with the renowned impressionist masterpiece La Parisienne by Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Rain – Auvers by Vincent van Gogh.
These paintings are part of the Davies sisters' collection, which are significant pieces in Wales’s art scene.
The tour also featured Gwen John's works, a notable artist from Haverfordwest.
Mr Davies was particularly interested in works related to his constituency.
This included the Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn collection, which highlights his legacy as one of Wales's greatest patrons of the arts.
The collection boasts a selection of Old Master paintings and an organ that is central to the display.
Besides the arts, Mr Davies explored the museum's contributions to scientific research.
He visited the natural sciences department, where research on marine life and invasive species on the Welsh coastline is conducted.
The museum's Mollusca collection, which has been exhibited in Rhyl Library, is an example of the museum's dedication to sharing knowledge with Welsh communities.
Mr Davies's tour concluded with a visit to the museum's initiative, Pinc College.
This educational institution supports neurodivergent students by providing a creative learning environment.
The success of Pinc College emphasises the significant role of arts and culture in shaping lives and providing opportunities for young people.
After finishing the tour, Mr Davies expressed his admiration for the museum and its staff.
He said: "The National Museum Cardiff is one of Wales’ most treasured cultural assets.
"It was a privilege to see its incredible collections and groundbreaking research in action.
"The museum’s impact extends far beyond Cardiff, benefiting communities across Wales, including my own constituency."
The visit has solidified his belief in the necessity of proper funding for cultural institutions to ensure their continuous success.
He added: "This visit reinforced my belief that our cultural institutions must be properly funded to ensure their continued success.
"I will continue to champion investment in our heritage and look forward to returning to the museum soon.
"I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to the National Museum Cardiff and its dedicated staff for arranging such a comprehensive and engaging visit.
"Their passion for preserving and sharing Wales’ cultural and scientific heritage is truly inspiring, and I greatly appreciate the opportunity to experience it firsthand."
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