New House Creative Hub Art Space And Gallery Is Open!

Published on: 15 Feb, 2022
Updated on: 16 Feb, 2022

A new creative hub is now open in Guildford town centre.

New House in Bedford Road, Guildford.

Called New House, it is billed as “where like-minded individuals, groups and organisations can share spaces and ideas”.

It comprises 20 artist studios as well as the Davies Gilder Gallery, located on the ground floor. Its ethos is to “create an inspiring and inclusive space for all to be creative and grow their artistic disciplines and businesses.”

The official opening of New House, that is in a repurposed former industrial building in Bedford Road, took place on Friday, February 11.

The Davies Gilder Gallery at New House is named after the founder Dominique Frazer’s grandparents, both of whom grew up in Guildford.

Leonard Davies was born in Wales and moved to Guildford in his early teens. The youngest of 13, he loved music from an early age. His older siblings pooled together to give him piano lessons, a passion that he carried through life, regularly playing the working men’s club circuit across Guildford and Surrey, into retirement.

Dorothy May Gilder, Dominique’s grandmother, was born and raised in Queen’s Road, Guildford; her family living here for 100 years. The family owned a local grocery shop in George Road, where their seasonal produce would be proudly displayed in the shop window.

Dorothy Gilder cuts a ribbon to officially open the Davies Gilder Gallery.

Dorothy Gilder officially opened the Davies Gilder Gallery with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

New House’s opening exhibition is titled Looking Out, Looking in. Its chief operating officer Charlotte Elliott said: “It is a celebration of the works of our resident artists and our way of saying hello to the community of Guildford and beyond.

“Many of the works in the show highlight the act of looking, noticing, and feeling as integral to how artists live and make work. Whether that be looking out into the world, or into oneself, something that is becoming increasingly pertinent in these times of social isolation.”

Charlotte added: “There will be a rich variety of practices on display that range from paintings to photography, video, bargello needlework, 3D printing and much, much more!

“Establishing New House and the Davies Gilder Gallery as a space is where everyone can look forward to events and exhibitions which we plan to hold throughout the year.”

Photos here and below taken at the official opening of New House.

The first exhibition runs until March 6 and its opening times are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and on weekends from noon to 4pm.

The Davies Gilder Gallery is now open for bookings of both exhibitions and events such as workshops or talks. The flexible space will also act as a creative workspace for members of New House, applications for which have just opened. Click here for details.

New House has been established by the music, community and creative arts venue, The Boileroom, Stoke Fields, Guildford.