Young furniture designer Carwyn Owen will be making a big impact at the National Eisteddfod – without even performing.
Carwyn, 20, from Foel near Welshpool has become the youngest person to ever make the famous bardic Chair.
It is presented during the Chairing of the Bard on Friday, 7th August at Wales’ most famous cultural event being held at Meifod, Powys.
Carwyn is a student at Sheffield Hallam University studying furniture and product design as well as running his own carpentry and furniture design business.
After being commissioned last year, he began work on the chair last summer using locally sourced Welsh Oak and Ash.
“It’s been an amazing experience,” said Carwyn. “I feel very privileged to have produced the Chair as it’s an historic and very important part of the National Eisteddfod.”
The Chair is produced locally where each National Eisteddfod is held annually. Carwyn has spent over 200 hours making the Chair.
And he’s not new to producing such furniture. He designed and made the National YFC Eisteddfod Chair in 2008/2009 when he was in sixth form at Caereinion High School and again in 2013 for the Powys Eisteddfod.
Carwyn aims to work for himself full time after completing his university studies next year.
He is also due to meet Wales’ First Minister Carwyn Jones at the National Eisteddfod during the launch of the Big Ideas Wales Challenge on Monday.
Carwyn is due to apply for the Challenge which aims to fast-track and mentor Wales’ young entrepreneurs.
Meanwhile, Carwyn will be keeping an eye on the stage on Friday to see who is named the Chief Bard during a ceremony led by the Archdruid.
