May 2025 - Beyond Colwyn Bay's African Institute
Beyond Colwyn Bay’s African Institute – Press Release
Conwy’s Museum Service are proud to unveil an important new painting at Colwyn Bay Library by artist Mfikela Jean Samuel.
In 2024, work began on the ‘Beyond Colwyn Bay’s African Institute’ project which was co-produced by Cameroonian North Wales based artist Mfikela Jean Samuel and Conwy County Borough Council’s Museum Service. The project, funded through the Association of Independent Museums and Welsh Government, allowed local Welsh school children to discover a little known Black History story from Conwy County through creative art workshops and interactive sessions led by Mfikela at Conwy Culture Centre.
Mfikela produced a painting in response to the history of Colwyn Bay’s Congo House / African Institute (1889-1912) which highlights the connections between Wales and broader struggles for African independence, as well as a fascinating link to the freedom fighter Nelson Mandela. The painting’s title is ‘Bridging Continents: The African Institute of Colwyn Bay and Mandela's Teacher’.
The painting depicts Reverend William Hughes, a Baptist missionary who founded Congo House/African Institute, an educational centre for African students. Many of the young people who studied here became significant leaders in African countries. Also depicted is Davidson Don Tengo Jabavu, a South African student who studied at the Institute and later became a teacher and mentor to Nelson Mandela. The final portrait is of Nelson Mandela, the first president of South Africa.
Local Colwyn Bay school children were introduced to this important Welsh and African link through Mfikela’s painting. The children learned that this history is part of their “cynefin”, or local area, which is an aspect of the new Welsh Curriculum. The sessions encouraged the classes to recognise and celebrate diversity in their communities.
Mfikela Jean Samuel’s own Cameroonian heritage allowed the children to experience his unique perspective through his art, reflecting on people and symbols from both Wales and Africa. Classes had the opportunity to take a large collaborative painting created during the workshop back to their school, helping to ensure the legacy of the project for the children of future generations.
Mfikela Jean Samuel said: “In general I got involved in this project as a creative facilitator and I am going back very satisfied. The artwork was not challenging at all as it related much to my interest and gave me a chance to contribute a little to a community (North Wales) that I now call home. The best part of the project was the workshop with the kids. The enthusiasm, gusto and positive energy that the children exuded made the project work. Their questions, remarks and concerns drove me to believe that they had learned from the project.”
Talking of the project and its success, Conwy County Borough Council’s Inclusive Conwy Manager added: “Mfikela's work helps us understand our shared history, making us better and more informed citizens of Wales. It shows how we can gain from seeing the world in a broader way and highlights the importance of culture and connections. This project has been valuable for the young people of Conwy, and the art provides a learning opportunity for everyone, supporting our goal of creating an inclusive Conwy.”
Professor Charlotte Williams OBE, Chair of the Ministerial Working Group 'Communities, Contributions and Cynefin: Black Asian Minority Ethnicities in the new curriculum' and Conwy resident said: ''These foundational stories of local Black histories are important to all pupils and learners in Wales and remind us that Welsh history is Black history and Black history is Welsh history. This painting encapsulates the long standing connections of Wales and the world''
The painting can be found in Colwyn Bay library, a fitting location close to the history that inspired the project and the Institute Building at Nant-y-Glyn Road founded by Reverend William Hughes.
Hughes was also one of the founders of Colwyn Bay library, being part of its Executive Committee to build a library on this site to commemorate the coronation of King Edward VII.
We welcome everyone to view this important artwork.
Opening times for Colwyn Bay library can be found here – conwylibraries.com
You can contact Conwy’s Museum Service on creu@conwy.gov.uk
