A GROUP of artists based in Ledbury have created a new gallery in the town. The Mayor of Ledbury, Cllr Debbie Barker, opened the gallery which has taken over the room above The Heritage Centre in Church Lane.

Brian Richardson, a member of Artistree and now gallery director, was instrumental in obtaining the pace for use by Artistree for at least the next year. The new venue is to be known as The Gallery.

Artistree was founded in the town in the 1990s and originally housed in The Old Toy Factory, now Weavers gallery. For the last 10 years, however, Artistree has been "homeless" but have continued to exhibit in various galleries in Worcester, Cheltenham and Ledbury. The opening exhibition in The Gallery is titled Artistree in Action, and the work on show displays a strong visual impact, with paintings, sculpture and ceramics and book art by the current members who live across the two counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The hundreds of visitors who have visited The Gallery since it opened to the public prior to the official opening were to quote "amazed at the variety and creative dynamics of the work on show," and numerous comments too about the beautiful venue. This response was reflected in the comments of Mayor, Cllr Debbie Baker who said "It is great having a new enterprise like Artistree in Ledbury and what an asset it is to have such contemporary art on permanent display." she wished the cooperative success for the future and commended the considerable efforts the members had put into developing The Gallery.

Bill Denny, former director of art at Malvern College, exhibitor and vice chairman of Artistree, thanked Cllr Baker for her supportive words and also the assistance and support shown by the Ledbury Civic Society, Ledbury Places Project and Ledbury Town Council.

The gallery is open from 10.30am to 4.30pm Thursday to Sunday. It is stewarded by the artists who will be very pleased to discuss their work with visitors. Regular Artistree

Exhibitions will continue to be mounted to show a wide range of creative work by local artists.