About Us

Setting       History       Exhibitions      Private Views       Opening Hours       Art Classes   

Setting

A short distance from Aberdeen lies award winning Tolquhon Gallery.  It is a contemporary art gallery mounting a changing programme of exhibitions by artists from throughout Scotland and beyond.

The gallery has been created in a Victorian farmhouse and the garden also forms part of the gallery where there are regular displays of outdoor sculpture and ceramics in the summer months.  It is set in a particularly attractive location, being just a few hundred yards from the impressive ruins of Tolquhon Castle which is in the care of Historic Scotland.  It is also just a few miles from the National Trust properties of Haddo House and Pitmedden Gardens.

History

The gallery was established in 1987 by professional artist, Danny Ross, and his wife, Joan.  Danny had been painting and exhibiting his work since 1969 and wished to encourage interest in Scottish art.  Danny and Joan's aim was to bring the work of the best artists in Scotland to the North East.  At that time, aside from occasional exhibitions in  the excellent Aberdeen Art Gallery, there  were few opportunities to see exhibitions of contemporary art in the area.  Since then, interest has developed enormously.

There are three main exhibition areas in the gallery providing pleasant surroundings in which to view works of art. Danny and Joan deliberately chose to create the gallery within rooms in a house rather than in a large space, so that people might view paintings and crafts on a domestic scale, seeing work as it might look in their own homes.

Exhibitions

There are eight main exhibitions each year. There are large mixed exhibitions with up to 40 artists exhibiting together; there are also group shows and one man shows. The work on display varies a great deal from meticulously realised still life to bold, fluid abstracts.  Most of the artists live in Scotland but many nationalities are represented.  Most are graduates of Scottish Art Schools and demonstrate the distinctive strengths of their  backgrounds.

Every visit to the gallery will be different. The only criterion is that the work on exhibition is excellent of its kind. The gallery shows paintings, original prints and sculpture by well known artists with established national and international reputations but it also shows work by young artists who are only beginning to become known. 

As well as paintings and sculpture, there is a strong emphasis on crafts with exciting displays of ceramics, studio glass, wood and jewellery, both small functional pieces and larger sculptural works. All exhibits in the gallery are for sale and range in price from a few pounds to a few thousand pounds.

There are several hundred artists represented by the gallery, who all exhibit by invitation. Danny or Joan are always on hand and happy to discuss the work of any artist.

Private Views

Private Views of exhibitions are held on Sunday afternoons and afford the first opportunity to see and to buy the works on show.  These are always very enjoyable occasions when visitors can meet artists and find out more about their work.  They are also very sociable and a glass of wine can be enjoyed while the exhibition is viewed.  Old and young can all enjoy the exhibitions.  If you would like to be on the Mailing List for Private Views, please Contact Us.

Opening Hours

•    March to December  
  
  

  • Mon, Tues, Fri and Sat 11am to 5 pm

  • Sun 2 pm to 5 pm

  • Wednesday and Thursday closed  
    
    

•     During the winter months of January and
      February, the gallery is open at weekends only 
  
  

  • Saturday and Sunday 2 pm to 4 pm
    

              Outwith these hours, exhibitions can be viewed by appointment.  Please note 
              that the gallery is closed between exhibitions for re-hanging.  Do telephone to
              check if you plan to make a special trip.  01651 842343.

Art Classes

Art Classes are run by the gallery and have proved extremely popular.  The classes run throughout the year in courses of ten weeks.  There are classes for people with all levels of experience taken by  tutors who are highly experienced artists and teachers.

There are also occasional weekend workshops and painting demonstrations.

If you would like further information please Contact Us

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