Arts & Culture
New art gallery to open in Salisbury city centre

The new art space, the Vanner Gallery is to open in the heart of Salisbury - 45 High Street, Salisbury, SP1 2PB.

It’s opening exhibition will be entitled ‘Connect: people, art and place’ and will run from 17 September – 24 December.

In The Vanner Gallery’s inaugural exhibition, curator Prudence Maltby is said to explore the concept of connection at a time when the city emerges from adversity. Following the Novichok attacks in 2018 and more recently the pandemic, Maltby uses people, art and place as the cornerstone to examine how people process the experience of living separate lives through uncertainty.

The show includes contemporary art and made objects across a variety of mediums, unified by the exhibition theme. 

The Connect Exhibiting Artists include Julia Atkinson, Julie Ayton, Eleanor Bartlett, Brian Bishop, Lucinda Burgess, Henny Burnett, Fran Donovan, Ruth Dresman, Susan Francis, Mirka Golden-Hann, Michelle Griffiths, Patrick Hallissey, Alex Hanna, Julia Polonski, Jane Ponsford, Peter Randall-Page, Roger Stevens, Joanna Still, Anita Taylor and Julieann Worrall Hood.

Artist and Curator, Prudence Maltby said: “It’s about art giving shape to cultural change. In the selection process, I was mindful of beginning my search with a local focus, and then connecting with artists and makers beyond.

“The challenge was always going to be about putting a seemingly eclectic body of work together in one space, and stimulating synergy and dialogue between the included pieces. The twenty artists represented in this exhibition are either known to me professionally or I know about the work they make.”   

The Vanner Gallery is a dedicated space located in the heart of the cathedral city of Salisbury. Committed to exhibiting original artworks, the gallery aims to showcase contemporary art and craft practice across a range of materials and media.

A programme of exhibitions featuring works for sale from regional, national and international artists and makers will be organised by guest curators throughout the year.

Gallery Director, David Christie said: “I’m excited to bring Salisbury’s new gallery to life, and to invest in the city’s post-pandemic regeneration. There is a large discerning audience here and a lot of people come to the area to enjoy art at the established venues we already have.

“We want to complement that vibrant scene by adding a commercial contemporary gallery which gives people the chance to acquire fine art and craft, as well as experiencing a unique programme of curated exhibitions.”

More information about the gallery can be found at vannergallery.com

  • New art gallery to open in Salisbury city centre