An exciting new regeneration scheme for Six Bells looks set to go ahead this autumn, as visual artist Onysa McCausland brings her 'Colour From The Mines' project to Blaenau Gwent.
It will see leftover waste from the Six Bells coal mine recycled as pigment, and used to create a number of special ochre paints that are unique to the village.
Ochre is the oldest pigment used for painting by man, and is made from the chemical ferric oxy-hydroxide, an iron residue left over as a result of coal mining in the area.
The substance would otherwise stain the surrounding riverbeds an orange colour if it was left untreated, though now it's being put to good use.
The project will be the first of its kind in the UK, and involves a number of collaborations with the Coal Authority, Six Bells Regeneration Limited, and local paint manufacturers.
It aims to highlight the rich mining history of Six Bells, as well as using the sustainable new paint as an alternative legacy for the area.
At the head of the project is Onysa, an artist and researcher from University College London, who hopes there will be a number of benefits for the area in the coming months.
"I've always been fascinated by landscapes and the relationship they have with art, so to be part of the project in a place like Six Bells is very exciting for me personally, and is a great way to engage with the local community," she said.
"It's a beautiful place with a rich history so we want to highlight that for people to remember their past, as well as giving them something to look forward to in the future.
"For me, being an artist is all about finding creative ways to do things, so we are very happy to be turning waste that would otherwise be going to a landfill site into a usable paint, and hopefully putting something back in to the local economy.
"We are encouraging locals to sign up for the first batch of emulsion paint that will be available soon, and hope that the project could bring some jobs in the long term as well."
It is the latest in a string of developments on the site of the old Six Bells colliery, joining others that include a new primary school and the famous guardian statue.
The process will begin at the nearby mine water treatment scheme, where treated water enters the local watercourse, leaving behind the iron residues that will later be re-used to create pigment for the paint.
After a process of oxidisation and burning, the paint will be readied for use by local manufacturers, and sold at the Ty Ebbw Fach building, where community business Six Bells Regeneration Limited, have set up to help regenerate the local area.
Onya and her colleagues here say they are certain this will have a significant cultural impact on the people who live nearby.
She said: "Long term we would love to be able to sell this paint and create some jobs, but right now we are focused on the first stages of the project.
"Red Ochre is a very old and well used type of paint historically, and as a colour is one we feel really resonates with the area, so we think it could go down well.
"A limited first edition batch of wall emulsion paint will be available Ty Ebbw Fach in Six Bells soon, and we're encouraging people to paint parts of their houses and other specific locations around the community to mark the launch of the project.
"We hope as many people get involved as possible as it will be great for tourists to see when they visit. We would also like to make a publication to display the areas that have been painted in the future as well."
Take a look at our drone footage of snow-covered Sex Bells memorial
Lucy Harding and Hywel Clatworthy both work as volunteer directors of the regeneration project in Six Bells, and agree there could be a lot of positive attention if it is successful.
Lucy said: "We're so happy to have such a creative and innovative project here in the village, and at the moment it seems like it could be a very positive thing for Abertillery and Six Bells.
"Of course we always want to look back and remember our history, and doing that in a way that is positive for the future is very appealing to all of us here
"Everyone involved has worked incredibly hard, and I look forward to seeing the buildings that are coated with this beautiful local paint when they are finished."
Members of the group are now inviting residents from Six Bells to come forward to take part in this collective artwork using the paint.
For more information on joining the 'Colour From The Mines' project, email sixbellsregen@gmail.com
