"Following a divorce and my children growing up and leaving home, I was like many people at a cross roads in my life with no clear idea on how to continue.

I chose a challenge, having been interested in art all my life and with the guidance of my artist mother, I decided now was the time to make my dreams a reality and should you take the time to visit Pam's Chapel gallery and studio near Berriew, you will realise they have come true.

The gallery has a large wall mural across the south wall, depicting the garden of Gethsemane with Christ and his disciples praying above are all the angles rushing down a golden staircase to meet him and take him home.

The theme for the mural came from a painting that was original painted onto an ostrich egg by myself with which I won a silver award in Aintree in Liverpool, at an egg crafters convention.

This was the beginning and all has progressed from here. Finding it difficult to make a living from sales alone, especially considering the chapel is in a remote situation well away from any passing trade and two miles from the nearest village of Berriew.

I diversified and went to my local college, Coleg Powys and began a teacher training course, where I achieved over a two year period my teaching certificate, enabling me to develop a range of certificated courses with the open college network, specially designed for adults of all abilities, helping them to learn to paint.

The last few years I have been running classes in level one, two and three watercolour, and level one mixed media with a new Art club starting this summer and demand to begin level two and three in mixed media.

A once derelict chapel is now full of people having fun, learning and socialising whilst painting.

Regularly holding exhibitions of both my latest paintings and my students work, and with Faberge style eggs on display many different people find their way to the chapel gallery and art studio.

I believe many wonderful things have happened since I decided to follow my dreams and that with a little faith, determination and desire to always include and help others; your dreams really can come true."

Article written by Pam Jones.