I've run many galleries in the past, such as the Liverpool Academy of Art, but I had to give up work to look after my parents and, after they died, I wanted a new start. My grandparents came from Caernarfon originally, so I wanted to come back and do something for the town.

I had ideas about opening a gallery that would be on the street, bringing in people who wouldn't go into a formal arts centre. At the same time, Dafydd Hardy and Richard Thomas had just opened up this gallery and needed someone to run it. They've given me free rein on the programme, they just want to give young Welsh artists who come back to the area from university the chance to create and exhibit their work. Such artists often find themselves isolated and miss their fellow artists to bounce ideas off, so end up returning to the cities to work.

We're not running the gallery for commercial reasons, just to encourage new artists in the area. We promote art for art's sake. You don't get many businessmen doing that these days.

We'd like to raise Caernarfon's profile as the centre for art in Gwynedd, so any recent graduates should think of us as a place to come and meet fellow artists, discuss ideas and exhibit work. A co-operative of young artists could bid for grants as a group, arrange exhibitions and buy materials in bulk.

Eventually we'd like to move to larger premises to allow people to paint in a community studio with access to decent easels - students often leave college and miss such equipment.

So whether you're in the sixth form, at college or a post graduate, come together and use us as your meeting place - show your work, get the opinions of others and get some exposure.

It really feels like I've come home - everyone has been so helpful and I couldn't have asked for more.

For more information, contact Glenys on 07774 730325 or visit the Dafydd Hardy Gallery, 12 The Square, Caernarfon.