Broseley art gallery set to re-open doors with craft fair and exhibition
A Shropshire art gallery is preparing to reopen after lockdown with a special weekend aimed at painting a picture for visitors of the amazing artworks it has on display.
The Angel Gallery opened in Upper High Street, Broseley, in September 2019 but remains something of a hidden gem in the town with owners Mike and Ann Fraser saying many people don’t even know they are there.
They hope to change all that, however, opening three days from May 1-3 with a craft fair and plenty of artwork by Ann and other local artists on show.
Mike said: “We are hoping people will turn out in numbers to see what we have to offer and then come back!
“We are delighted to be opening again after Covid and will have a craft fair of eight tables on Saturday, May 1 and again the following day - the Monday craft fair is still under discussion at the moment but we will be open and know some people would like to take it up.
“We are happy with the eight tables we have and are not looking for any more, we think that is sufficient under present circumstances.
“Normally we open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 11am to 5pm but for our opening weekend with the craft show we will open 11am to 5pm on the Saturday, and 11am to 3pm on the Sunday and Monday.
“We should be exhibiting about 200 artworks over the weekend. We normally exhibit on a two-monthly basis and have just about enough to display at the moment but we could make a bit more space available if necessary - so if there is anyone interested, they can get in touch by phoning 07808 767972. We are also keen to hear from anyone who would like to exhibit in the future.”
Ann said it was important to get the message out that the gallery was there and they looked forward to welcoming visitors who could come along, wander around at their leisure free of charge and hopefully buy something!
“We have an array of things for people to see and everything is for sale,” she added. “Everyone is astounded at just how big we are inside because they think we are just two rooms - but there are so many nooks and crannies, it’s lovely.
“No-one seems to know we are here, you ask anyone in the town ‘have we got an art gallery in Broseley’ and 99.9% will say ‘no’, they have never heard of us. It’s most frustrating. We are in the process of painting the outside facade, so we really are shouting out ‘look at me, we are here and ready to welcome you!’
“We have a wide selection of handmade and photographic reproduction greeting cards for sale of artworks we show - mostly done by local artists.
“They bring the cards when they exhibit and leave them behind hoping we will sell them. They go really well, people do seem to like them.
“I am the resident artist and we encourage people to come and watch what I do, again without charge. We have a lot of craftwork here and jewellery too which are also made by local craftspeople.”
Many of Ann’s artworks are on display at the gallery and feature paintings of places around the world where the couple have visited over the last 20 years. The gallery also has two meeting rooms for hire and tuition classes run by Ann - but these are on hold for the present until further Covid restrictions ease.
Mike said: “We are keen to get as many people through the door as possible over the first weekend in May. We are starting with the craft fair and an exhibition of artwork to encourage some interest and then we’ll take it from there. It promises to be a great weekend and we just hope people will turn out and support us.”
