An art gallery in the east of the island is set up and ready for the Christmas season, and is hoping to put a difficult year behind them.

The Hodgson Loom Gallery, based in the Laxey Woollen Mills, opened its Winter Art Show last weekend, displaying a range of art work and creations from many of the island’s top artists, with paintings from internationally-recognised artists, such as Petrina Kent, Dr Jeremy Paul and Kate Summerville along side a wide range of hand-crafted pottery by Sally Black and a display of wood carvings from Gavin Carter and Mark Smyth.

Gallery curator Julia Ashby-Smyth, said that, while the situation surrounding the coronavirus has made life difficult for the gallery, there have been one or two unexpected benefits.

’With the coronavirus completely turning our exhibition schedule on its head this year, we had the opportunity, to bring together a wonderfully diverse and eclectic exhibition,’ said Julia.

’We are incredibly lucky to be able to have a number of these works available to show, and buy, here in the gallery.

’If normal circumstances had prevailed these would have gone off to various pre-scheduled exhibitions off-island and the chance to purchase such esteemed artwork would have been not been possible.

’It is such a wonderful exhibition.

The gallery will also host a weekend of pop-up art shops, to coincide with the Laxey Christmas market weekend.

Julia will be selling a selection of artwork, originals, calendars, new cards and other illustrated one-off items, and textile artists Sue Quilliam, from Glen Mooar Cottage Retreat and Sara Hogg from Willing Heart Wool, who are giving demonstrations of various textile crafting techniques with the opportunity to ’have-a-go’ yourself, as well as selling their creations.

More details on the Winter Art Show and the Christmas pop-up weekend are available on the Hogdson Loom gallery Facebook page.

by Mike Wade

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