Christmas show has transformed the Weekend Gallery into Aladdin’s cave.

The more enterprising of us are already thinking about Christmas.  Christmas shopping can be a total nightmare, and HOT reporter Cathy Simpson reflects on how the Weekend Gallery could provide an oasis of sanity during the deep midwinter fest.

There used to be a joke doing the rounds, along the lines of:

Q.  What do you give the person who’s got everything?

A.  Penicillin.

I was reminded of this during my visit to the gallery, not because of the medication, but because this wonderful feast of an exhibition features such unique gifts – which could, with confidence, be given to that mythical person.  It is a breath of fresh air after the kind of generic goods stocked by well-known chain stores and, what’s more, it’s so affordable.

There is a wonderful range of styles on show, from Alison Read’s delightful and well loved woodcuts, through Ian MacCulloch’s autumnal hares, Trevor Price’s mystical prints and Iveta Goddard’s ceramics. Brilliant splashes of colour are provided by Ruth Cowell’s paintings of trees – reminiscent of Gustav Klimt’s rendering of the same subject – contrasting with Hannah Kynoch’s monochromatic works.

There are also many small delightful items to suit any pocket;  with prices starting at £7.50.

You can buy a pair of Iveta Goddard coasters – each one a unique work of art – for £10.  Timothy Smith’s endearing sheep and pigs start at £20.

There are Christmas decorations, i-phone cases, clocks, jewellery, sculptures, prints both framed and unframed and paintings.  There are many other small gift items, too. They range from the beautiful and/or whimsical to the frankly hilarious.  And, of course, there is a wide range of greetings cards which are guaranteed to delight.

So, to give yourself a bit of respite during the festive season, it would be good to get along to the gallery and treat yourself to the lovely surroundings – the perfect antidote to bustling, crowded department stores with piped muzak and anodyne gifts on offer!

 

 

 

The Weekend Gallery, High Street, Hastings Old Town.

Open Wednesday to Sunday, 11am–5pm. The gallery also runs a part-payment plan for buying works of art.

Tel: 01424 719296

Weekend Gallery Website here

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