Kingswear Gallery in Crossgates was established in April 1988 by Alfred and Valerie Owen. Originally, the business was set up as an artist and hobby shop, selling paintings and running art classes. Kingswear Gallery provided a local picture framing service, as well as a place for local artists – many whom Alfred knew from various art clubs, to exhibit and sell their work. Since this time the gallery has been built on good customer relations, providing a specialised, bespoke service within a warm and friendly environment.
Kingswear Gallery is now owned by Alfred and Valerie’s son Bill and his wife Nicola, who along with expanding the business have also strived to keep the traditional values it was built upon. The gallery has a loyal customer base who still ask Bill how his parents are, and this is testament to the personal service that is provided here.
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The gallery sells art from a number of local artists, some of whom are internationally known. Carol Barry is well known for semi-abstract landscapes using a variety of media, Tony Driver takes his inspiration from the Yorkshire landscapes and Derek Catley produces stunning paintings in watercolour and gouache.
Peter Lapish creates period pieces in his unique style and Robert J Wyatt is a self-taught artist who draws his inspiration from Renaissance painters.
These are just some of the artists whose work can be purchased from Kingswear Gallery, and it is well worth a visit to see what they have on offer. Watercolour artist Michelle Campbell has recently produced six prints titled ‘Tour de in Yorkshire’ to commemorate the Tour de France in our county, and these are currently available at the gallery. Art is accessible for everyone here, as the gallery publishes prints starting from just £30 as well as selling original paintings and watercolours.
Another service Kingswear Gallery provides is digital photo restoration and printing. They offer specialised printing in large format to both individuals and local businesses. Old photographs that you have found creased in a drawer can soon be transformed into crisp, new prints that can be digitally enhanced to offer the best possible image of your ancestors.
A large part of the business is the framing service. The gallery has a large selection of over 200 frames in varying styles and colours to meet any requirements from small tapestries to commercial art exhibitions. Using decades of experience in the business, Kingswear Gallery pride themselves on offering bespoke framing to the highest quality. The friendly staff members will discuss your requirements and advise you on options to display your cherished art or photograph in a way that will bring out the best in the image, and fit in with the environment in which it is to be displayed. All framing work at the gallery is carried out to conservation level in order to protect and preserve your belongings from things such as airborne acids and contaminants that are present in our atmosphere.
Over the years, thousands of paintings have been framed at Kingswear Gallery. One of the most famous was an original by the renowned Spanish artist Goya. The highly valuable painting was brought in by a local art dealer who wanted it framing very quickly in order to be taken to Christies Auction house the very next day! The owners took the painting home with them that evening as a security measure and framed it early the next morning ready for collection in the afternoon. This was a very exciting highlight of the owner’s career!
Kingswear Gallery also frame sports memorabilia such as signed football shirts, racing suits and boxing gloves for both individuals and sports clubs. Again, all these items are framed to conservation level as standard, with an option to use anti UV glass to reduce fading. Shirts are hand stretched and pinned into position over foam board, and professionally mounted onto colours of your choice. Plaques, photographs and medals can also be incorporated into the frame to create a stunning display ready to hang on your wall.
Kingswear Gallery is a local, family business who certainly deserve the excellent reputation they have built up. The warm and welcoming team work extremely hard to provide customers with the best possible service, and this level of expertise, along with the personal touch may not be achieved from the larger corporate businesses out there. There is ample, free parking outside the shop, so why not pay a visit and see what Kingswear Gallery can offer you?
Kingswear Gallery
25 Kingswear Parade, Crossgates, Leeds LS15 8LJ
Tel: 0113 2642225
Website: www.kingsweargallery.co.uk
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