Kirsteen, the lovely, friendly Gallery owner.
The Rowan Gallery is one of those classic Hidden Gems. Blink and you might miss it as you walk along the sea front, but boy what a shame it would be if you didn’t slow those paces and take a right angled turn through the door. A superb selection of stylish gifts, books, cards etc, which is always a great thing, but it’s when you start digging a little deeper that you realise how special this place is.
Treat Number 1 – walk to the back of the shop and wander into the beautiful open space of the Rowan Fine Art Gallery. Specialising in contemporary Scottish Artist, this place is a real find. From well know to up and coming artists, both local and from far afield the artwork here is stunning. Coupled with Kirsteen’s superb knowledge (she’s run the gallery for over 10 years now) of her specialist subject, you’d be hard pressed to find a better place for an art hunt this side of Glasgow.
Artists include Pam Carter, Gerard Burns, Laura Kearney, Mary Batchelor, Joyce Borland, Dronma, Claire Wills, Graham Bruce Richards, Garry Harper, Deborah Phillips, Elena Kourenkova, Joe McLaughlin, Bryan Evans, Ian Elliot, Jack Frame, Jack McAllister Brown, Philip Raskin, Mairi Aitken, Lee Robertson, Laetitia Guilbaud, Rosanne Barr, Margaret Evans, and others….
There’s even a monthly exhibition to keep you coming back for more.
Treat Number 2 – when you take a closer look at some of the gifts on sale, you’ll see a distinctively Scottish twist, though not the “tartan & tweed” of your run of the mill gift shops. These are local designers & craftsmen who’s contemporary work is appreciated on a national scale – all with a scottish twist (check out the fantastic screen printed work of Gillian Kyle, all based around Scottish popular culture – Tunnocks Teacake T-shirt anyone?!))
So if it’s gifts your after, or your looking for the future family Art Heirloom check out Rowan Gallery and ask for the lovely Kirsteen. Try not to blink!
Rowan Gallery 78 West Clyde Street, Helensburgh, G84 8BB t: 01436 670721
e: info@rowangallery.com www.rowangallery.com
Opening Hours Monday – Saturday (10-5pm) Sunday (2-5pm)
