Annie Hughes Griffiths, President of the Welsh League of Nations Union (WLNU), displays the memorial cover of the 1923 Welsh Womens Peace Appeal petition to America on the steps of the White house in Washington, following the Welsh peace delegation’s meeting with President Calvin Coolidge on 21 February 1924, alongside fellow Welsh ‘Peace Tour’ representatives (L-R) Gladys Thomas, Mary Ellis and Elined Prys. Credit: WCIA / Temple of Peace Archives.

Discover the story of the Welsh Women’s Peace Petition 1923-24, and the pivotal role of Welsh women in campaigning for peace. The stories of these remarkable women are as inspiring and relevant today as a hundred years ago.

In 1923-24, 390,296 women from Wales signed an appeal to the women of America calling for world peace. Following the horrific losses of the First World War, women were inspired to appeal for peace, calling for LAW NOT WAR’. Find out more about Annie Hughes Griffiths and others who led the delegation to America, as well as those from North Wales who campaigned for peace, including organising the walk from Penygroes to Hyde Park in 1926. The exhibition of archives and art brings to life the stories of these extraordinary individuals who campaigned for peace – locally, nationally and internationally. May their stories inspire visitors to the exhibition to work for peace today.

The exhibition includes loans from the collections of The National Library of Wales, Amgueddfa Cymru, Bangor University Archives, Gwynedd Archives Service and Welsh Centre for International Affairs.

Red self-portrait

JAMES, Shani Rhys

© Shani Rhys James. All Rights Reserved. DACS 2025/Amgueddfa Cymru - Museum Wales

This exhibition brings together works by Shani Rhys James and Stephen West. Having lived and worked together for more than 45 years, both have focused on different themes and approaches in their artistic practice. Separate studio spaces under one roof. Here are works that connect and contrast. This exhibition focuses on the ‘inner space’; mentally and physically. Whether it is Shani’s emotionally powerful self portraits in the studio or kitchen, or Stephen’s narratives that intrigue, exploring perspective that feature architecture, figures, trees and animals.

JAMES, Shani Rhys, Nitrile Gloves ©Shani Rhys James / DACS

WEST, Stephen, Night Owl ©Stephen West

As well as works on loan from national institutions, both have produced new work in response to Storiel’s building and collections.

The exhibition has been made possible through the CELF the National Contemporary Art Gallery for Wales project.