View work from some of the area’s finest artists at these local galleries
St John Street Gallery
Located in a spacious three-storey building that was once Ashbourne’s Magistrates Court, the St John Street Gallery exhibits contemporary paintings, prints, sculpture and ceramics and has the added benefit of an award-winning café upstairs. Relaxed and informal, it showcases work by some of the area’s most talented and nationally renowned artists. A recent addition has been a monthly programme of painting workshops by experts such as Lewis Noble and Wendy Darker. Open Mon – Sat 9.30am – 5pm. Closed on Sundays. stjohngalleryandcafe.co.uk
Derwent Gallery
Situated in the idyllic village of Grindleford and surrounded by some of the county’s finest scenery, it’s no wonder that the Derwent Gallery is the first point of call for art lovers in search of an original Peak District landscape painting. The gallery specializes in watercolour, oil and acrylic paintings as well as pastel and pencil drawings, monoprints and landscape photography, and features regular exhibitions by outstanding local artists such as Kristan Baggaley, Richard Clare and Hazel Lale. Another string to its bow is a first-class framing service. Open Wed to Sat 10am to 5pm, Sun, Bank Hols 10am to 4pm. www.derwentgallery.com
Gallery in the Gardens
Set in the heart of Buxton’s Pavilion Gardens complex, this is a splendid showcase for work by over 40 members of the High Peak Artists group, who include Sandra Orme, Louise Jannetta and Pauline Townsend. Highlighted solo exhibitions are surrounded by an ever-changing display of beautiful arts and crafts ranging from ceramics and jewellery to silk painting, textiles and photography. There is also a large selection of prints so visitors hunting for a perfect souvenir of their stay are sure to leave satisfied. Open daily 9.30am-5pm. www.galleryinthegardens.co.uk
Gallerytop
The eye-catching Rowsley art gallery, run by Gill Wilson and Keith Logan, celebrated its 10th anniversary last year. An annual programme of exciting and outstanding exhibitions is backed up with a permanent display of high quality paintings, ceramics, glassworks, sculpture and jewellery by some of the country’s finest modern artists. At Gallerytop you can obtain ‘exclusive contemporary art and objects to enhance your living space’. Small but well laid out, it stocks an impressively diverse range of fine and applied contemporary art with a roster of over 150 artists and makers. Open Tues–Sat 10–5pm and Sun 11–4pm. www.gallerytop.co.uk
Jarva Gallery
It’s now six years since wildlife artist Lyndsey Selley opened Jarva Gallery on Market Street in picturesque Whaley Bridge. Her aim was to bring together a unique collection of work by some of the UK’s leading independent artists, designers and craftspeople and she specialises in art, home accessories and jewellery, with an emphasis on combining beauty and practicality. Award-winning local artist Rob Wilson is a frequent exhibitor. The gallery also offers a bespoke framing service. Open Tues, Thurs, Fri 9.30-5pm, Wed 9.30-1pm, Sat 9.30-4pm.
