An exciting new art gallery that will celebrate Nottinghamshire Artists is opening to the public on Saturday 30 April. The Chapel Gallery, which will be located in the former Methodist Chapel at the Framework Knitters Museum in Ruddington, is a new partnership project between the museum and the Nottingham Society of Artists (NSA).
The new exhibition space will be the only public art gallery south of the River Trent in Nottinghamshire, and will operate as an annexe to the main NSA gallery at St Luke's House on Friar Lane in the city centre. It will exhibit a variety of artworks from Nottinghamshire Artists, showcasing different styles, media and subject matter. New exhibitions will start every 6 to 8 weeks, and the first will feature works from popular local artists Colin Treliving, Maureen Copley and Roger Crooks.
Nigel Boughton-Smith from the Nottingham Society of Artists, said, "We're all really excited about this new partnership with such a widely renowned, award winning museum. It's fantastic to have such a great space as an additional venue for us to exhibit more of the amazing work Nottinghamshire artists produce, providing the perfect opportunity to bring art into the community. There will be the chance for visitors to meet some of the artists, and even watch them at work in the Chapel."
Paul Baker, museum manager at the Framework Knitters Museum, added, "All the artworks exhibited at the Chapel Gallery will be for sale, with 15% of all sales being put towards the museum's plans to redevelop our existing buildings and expand into the adjacent property, Gunn Cottage, which separates the main museum site from the Chapel. The project really is a win-win for everyone concerned as it will help the museum raise much-needed funds, boost awareness for the NSA and its artists, and provide a fantastic new tourist attraction for the area."
Once launched, the Chapel Gallery will be open Friday to Sunday during the museum's usual trading hours. From April the museum will be open Wednesday to Saturday, 11am to 4:30pm and Sunday from 1:30pm to 4:30pm. Entrance to the Chapel Gallery will be free, whilst normal admission fees apply to the museum. The museum shop and cafe will be open to all visitors, as well as the general public, to purchase refreshments and souvenirs as usual.
If you'd like to know more about the Chapel Gallery project, please contact the museum on 0115 984 6914. Further details of the exhibition and event programme will soon be available on their website, www.frameworkknittersmuseum.org.uk.