Visual Jazz – Gina Southgate Exhibition @ the Gallery In the Hills - Saturday 6 May to Sunday 25 June

(Review by Hugh C).

Following up on Dave Clarke's BSH posting with an Art Invite we “headed to the hills” last  Sunday afternoon.  Although we often travel out West along the A69 corridor and to Hadrian's Wall we found ourselves in unfamiliar territory once past Ridley Hall and on the road towards Beltingham and beyond.  The route to the Gallery is well signposted by green fluorescent signs - it does seem further than it looks on the map though!  On arriving at South Barn there is ample parking.

The gallery owner, Dennis Kilgallon, moved his creative business here from Kirkharle Courtyard a few years ago.  Some of his larger sculptures are placed around the car park and in the courtyard at the back.  The gallery is in a large, well-lit barn conversion and is accessed by a door in the side of the building.  A few pictures and artefacts are displayed on the ground floor but the main gallery is on the first floor and accessed by stairs from the lobby.  Attaining the top of the stairs one is greeted by a large airy gallery with plenty of natural light from expansive windows and large skylights in the roof.  Dennis kindly invites visitors to partake of a cup of (real) coffee.  Gina Southgate's impressive pictures (predominantly of jazz gigs, but landscapes as well) are displayed to good effect at all levels of the gallery.  Judith Davies' ceramics (some of which are made to be held and felt, as well as seen) are admixed with some of Dennis Kilgallon's own work.

The whole is very impressive (so much so that I was bought a print – which I know nothing about of course!).  The view from the back window and the garden is superb, looking over the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  A drive back East via Whitfield, turning left out of the farm road is well worth it.

The gallery is open Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays 11am to 5pm.  Visits can also be made during the week but Dennis would like you to ring beforehand to avoid disappointment.

Hugh C.

Website:  http://denniskilgallon.co.uk/ Telephone:  07496 754601