Since Christmas is still a way off yet, there is still time to search for your loved one's 'big present'! A unique painting or sculpture can make for a really memorable, treasured gift - and fortunately, there is a selling gallery right on Oxford's doorstep, on the bustling South Parade in Summertown. We chatted to Sarah Wiseman about sharing her passion for art.
Tell us about what you sell.
We are an independent art gallery selling work by artists and makers from all around the UK. We specialise in contemporary painting, but we also sell sculpture, ceramics, printmaking and jewellery.
How long has your business been going?
I started the gallery in 1998, so twenty-one years this year!
What motivated you to start the business?
Several factors: I noticed that at that time in Oxford, there wasn’t a place to see and buy contemporary art in a relaxed, informal atmosphere.
I felt that contemporary artists and makers have so much to offer and there was demand here. So, I began exploring the possibilities, and it became an ambition.
Through studying History of Art, I read about how galleries in the 20th Century played a key part in artists’ careers. I found it inspiring that the people who help artists to create and keep alive the foundation of this great subject, are the gallerists.
What do you like best about being based in Oxfordshire?
We are extremely lucky to run a business in a city like Oxford, which has a hugely cultured and interested population. There are world-class museums and galleries here, such as the Ashmolean and Modern Art Oxford, both of which are on our doorstep. We have a number of international visitors to the gallery and we ship paintings all over the world, but we also have lots of locally-based collectors who visit us regularly.
Do you think Oxford is a good place to run a small business?
In recent years, there is clearly a renewed interest in supporting smaller businesses, and I think this is especially true for Oxford. We can see that through the work that Independent Oxford does, and we value their support. But also, people here really value being able to come to somewhere independent; where staff can really get to know their customers personally, take ownership of their requests and tune into their needs.
What's the best thing about what you do?
Running a small business means, of course, you call the shots, and that’s especially wonderful in a business as creative as this one. Meeting with artists, visiting their studios, choosing work and formulating exhibitions – it’s all very fulfilling. It’s also lovely to have such personal contact with all our customers. We’ve also been exploring other creative projects, such as making a podcast – our first episode was launched in October of this year – we’ve called it The Wisegal Podcast.
What’s the biggest challenge?
There are practical challenges to running a small business, in that you often wear several hats at once – accounts, maintenance, IT, HR – all of it is your job.
What's the most interesting little-known fact about what you do?
Occasionally, first-time visitors will tell us they feel surprised by the warm welcome they receive when they come into the gallery.
There are a lot of preconceived ideas about some independent art galleries – that they’re snooty or everything will be beyond the reach of most budgets. But that’s simply not the case here – there’s a huge variety of items on offer here, our staff are friendly and knowledgeable and we want people to feel excited by contemporary art and craft and feel confident about buying it.
What's the funniest thing that's happened in the shop?
We get all sorts of visitors, but perhaps the best and most unexpected was a rather inquisitive squirrel which came in via the back door! It hopped across the lower gallery floor and was completely unfazed by us standing there, trying to chase it out again. We thought it wasn’t going to leave! Eventually - and reluctantly - it hopped back out again.
What’s your favourite product?
It’s hard to choose – all of us have our favourites, but we like all the artists for different reasons. If we had to pick, one of the highlights in the Christmas exhibition ‘Winter Lights’ is a collection of smaller scale drawings by Henrietta Dubrey, a really dynamic painter based in Cornwall. Her work is normally much bigger in scale.
There’s also beautiful contemporary glass this year, by Helen Slater, and really stunning watercolour paintings, by a young artist called Kate Evans.
Of course, we were particularly excited to see the silkscreen prints by Clare Halifax – she’s created a series inspired by Oxford for the Christmas exhibition. The detail is beautiful!
Is there anything else you’d like to highlight?
If you’re unable to visit the gallery we can ship artwork all around the world – our web-shop has a fantastic selection of painting, printmaking and craft. You can also ring us to purchase over the phone and we’ll even gift wrap it for you if you’d like us to!
Welcome to Daily Info’s 2023 Advent Calendar – 24 days of festive tips, free activities & local shopping suggestions!
This year's calendar offers a mix of Christmas suggestions, taking in traditions in Oxford and the wider area, and free activities & events in the build up to the big day.
