upstairs at the GEORGE is the new name for the gallery above the George cafe in Newnham on Severn. The gallery is an artist run, not for profit venue featuring contemporary art exhibitions by national and international artists as well as art made locally. Presentations, performance, discussion and screenings will accompany exhibitions and make the gallery a lively focus for cultural events. A team of Forest of Dean-based artists has taken on the running of the gallery, aiming to raise the profile of this attractive space, the best showcase for contemporary art in the district. Artists are invited to apply for an exhibition by sending a proposal to the upstairs team via the email address given on the contact us page.
The upstairs team, which selects and manages the exhibitions, comprises four Forest-based freelance artist/curators. Bruce Allan has a work on the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail. He is a founder member of Artspace Bristol and Sculpture Shed, now Spike Island and has been an Advisory Board member of Braziers Artists’ Workshop, a Trustee of Kingsgate Gallery, London. He has exhibited widely, with current projects in India, Taiwan, Georgia and Armenia. Novvy Allan has had a successful career in Education Management, was a founder member of Artspace Bristol and organises arts projects. Sue Chudley has exhibited in Britain, Japan, Sweden, New Zealand, and Cuba. She was a founder of Forest Artists Network and Forest Open Studios, and a Trustee of the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail. David Gooding is a sculptor and founder Trustee of Artspace Bristol Education Charity. Together with Sue, he runs FARMprojects, which organises site responsive art events.
The GEORGE Cafe serves locally sourced food and drink in a beautifully furnished room with a roaring fire in winter and a courtyard garden in summer. The cafe is open from Monday to Saturday, 9am – 5pm.
The GEORGE is owned and run by Oaklands Park, part of Camphill Village Trust, a long established and progressive UK charity supporting adults with learning difficulties and mental health problems. Visit the weaving studio, book and toy shop at the George, which sells colourful garments and wooden toys made by the villagers from Oaklands Park. CVT supports people in their home life, work, social and cultural activities through their urban and rural communities in England and Scotland.
