THE possibilities of an empty Anglesey manor house are being well and truly explored as part of an original and highly creative arts venture.

Sixty-four artists are currently exhibiting their work on almost every wall, floor, chimney nook, ceiling, bathroom, cupboard and attic stairway at Plas Bodfa, in Llangoed.

The impressive 1920s building, last used by the Elizabeth Bradley Design tapestry kit firm, with its tearoom and gift shop, has been empty and neglected for about 12 years.

The house has been bought by American visual artist and initiator, Julie Upmeyer, 38, and her photo-journalist husband Jonathan Lewis, 49, from Colwyn Bay. The couple, who have two children, are renovating the property as a home and arts space, but also for other uses including holiday lets and retreats.

Julie, originally from Michigan, said: "We realised that while the house was empty it offered a one-time opportunity to fill its 36 rooms, and 1,000 sqm of space with creative acts and artwork before complete renovation begins.

"We put a call out to creatives to explore the idea of ‘Sui Generis,’ a Latin phrase meaning 'of its (his, her, their) own kind; in a class by itself; unique.'

"It's a term adopted by the legal profession for unusual buildings, properties that fall outside normal designation, which sums up Plas Bodfa exactly.

"We came across the term as we were researching the house and trying to work its past and future uses. We fell in love with the house as soon as we saw it. It is full of light.

"It has had many lives over the years, from a family home for several families, to being a steak house, to a care home, as well as being the Elizabeth Bradley tearooms and needlework kit firm, which closed in 2005."

Artists from diverse backgrounds, from all over the world, responded to the couple's call, and the "Sui Generis - The Possibilities of a House" exhibition was born.

The event includes performance art and painting, to collage and ceramics, skateboarding and singing, poetry and poly-rhythmic drumming, fairytales and photography, games and gramophones, sculpture and storytelling, re-enactments and a retro-scope.

Julie said: "Houses are silent holders of memory. They don’t express themselves in the same way that we might, but they can trigger thoughts, evoke emotions and enable travel in time.

"The empty space is an invitation, a possibility. This particular empty space inspired this gathering of ideas, objects, actions and people.

She added: "We've already had a fantastic response with 160 people here on Saturday, the first day we opened, and we had about 65 on Sunday."

The exhibition runs from 11am - 5pm, until Sunday, April 28. It is part of the Anglesey Art Weeks - Open Studios and Galleries, 2019.