All things come to him who waits!

This is just one of those historic memories that Facebook shares to my page on a regular basis, “Does anyone in Lymington know of a possible venue for an Art & Craft show for people who are hoping to start up and develop their business by selling their paintings, ceramics, drawings ……..” when I looked at the date I originally posted it I had to laugh, 10 Feb 2014, almost 10 years ago!

During a very recent conversation over a coffee with Hugo Ambrose, the manager of both Lymington Sea Water Baths and the Woodside Park Sports Café, he asked me if establishing a gallery in the Park Café promoting local artists was a feasible project to consider. I picked up the gauntlet and in less than three weeks we now have an ever-growing database of over 30 artists and craftworkers declaring a positive and supporting interest. We now have an eclectic mix of over 30 paintings and photographs reflecting the New Forest and Solent on display and ready to sell.

We have the active support of the principal Art groups in the Lymington area offering a very good source of high-quality art to ensure the display is both varied and interesting. We will undertake to remove or rotate the positions and pictures on display every 4-6 weeks to ensure the display is always diverse, fresh and vibrant.

As the “Club Photographer” at the Royal Lymington Yacht Club with a close connection to local Photography and Art groups the gallery is certain to reflect a strong association with Yacht and Dinghy racing, for which I make no apology!

For accessibility we are also showing the gallery online at both www.woodsidesportscafe.co.uk and www.woodsidegallery.co.uk

If you are interested in viewing or hanging pictures in the gallery or you might like the concept and have a location you think may benefit from hanging some pictures please get in touch with Paul French at [email protected] who will be happy to meet you for a coffee!