New lead artist appointed for Together We Create/Creu Gyda’n Gilydd project

The Together We Create/Creu Gyda’n Gilydd Project Partnership have appointed Dean Yhnell its the new Lead Artist for this cultural project based in the Valleys village of Penrhys. Matteo Marfoglia leaves the role of Lead Artist following his appointment as the new Curriculum Lead for VERVE, the postgraduate company of Northern School of Contemporary Dance. The partnership wishes Matteo all the best of luck in his new role. Dean will now oversee the project, and the current phase is funded by Arts Council Wales through their Connect and Flourish programme. 

Dean aka Beat Technique is a professional Beatboxer, Music Producer and DJ. He has performed professionally since 2010, and some of his most notable shows have been at Glastonbury, the Royal Albert Hall and The O2. Dean has been working in education full-time since 2013 and is known for his engaging reflective style of teaching.  

Dean says “I am blessed to be given a lead role in such a large and long-lasting legacy that we will all create. Excited to get the ball rolling with this project and start working collaboratively with the community of Penrhys, project partners and practitioners” 

Made an Arts Champion of Wales in 2016, he has been highly influential in promoting new ways of teaching to the Welsh Government as well as exhibiting some of his most successful projects at the WMC and Tate Gallery, London. 

Together We Create/Creu Gyda’n Gilydd is an ambitious long-term project, which brings arts and non-arts partners together with the communities of Penrhys and the surrounding Rhondda Cynon Taf area. It seeks to unite local stakeholders, creative practitioners and the community to collectively explore the hopes, needs and desires in everyday life, using the arts as a tool for self-empowerment and social change. 

The project is a collaboration with arts and non-arts partners including Trivallis Housing Association, Tempo Time Credits, Digital Communities Wales, Creative Lives, the Co-Production Network for Wales, National Theatre Wales, National Dance Company Wales, Rhondda Cynon Taf Arts Service and Community Champions, Penrhys Primary School, Sparc: Valleys Kids and Llanfair Uniting Church. 

“The panel are very pleased to appoint Dean who has the community knowledge and experience we were looking for, demonstrated his ability to communicate ideas, engage clearly and respond to our questions.” 
Anne Hayes, RCT Arts Service.