The Otter Gallery opens
The Otter Gallery opens on Mill Lane, joining a thriving community of independent, creative businesses in the town. It is the realisation of a lifelong dream for Katie Bourne, owner of the gallery, and a space where ‘the art can shine.’ Showcasing contemporary art from local and national artists, the overriding ethos is one of inclusion, welcoming art lovers everywhere including children and dogs. ‘I want visitors to be able to really look and spend time with the art.’
‘Our mission is to promote and support emerging and established artists, providing a platform for their work to be seen and appreciated by art lovers and collectors alike. We believe that art has the power to enrich our lives and enhance our surroundings and we’re proud to be part of the arts community of Wimborne.’
Exhibiting Artists
A light, calm and uncluttered space, the gallery opens in early Summer just as the sun begins to shine and the hedgerows spring into life. Early exhibiting artists include Janet Bourne, an oil painter showing a breadth of work with colourful, confident impressionist marks and Kimberley Day, a mixed media artist working in acrylic and charcoal executing curious compositions in highly contrasting colour palettes.
Joy Gosney, a contemporary landscape artist considerately balances dynamic marks with careful colour decisions or ‘colliding colours’ as she calls them. Finally, Amanda Bee is a decorative artist from Frome working in mixed media on board playing with pattern, plains and perspective resulting in truly uplifting paintings.
Viewing artworks online
Hop onto their website to view all the artworks in AR (augmented reality) or on an interior wall to give you a better idea of the piece in situ. This is just one of many helpful services offered by the Otter Gallery team to enhance the customer experience.
Speaking to Katie, she is warm and friendly with a clear determination to open a gallery that embraces all visitors and artists, exhibiting the highest quality work that inspires and engages. ‘Our customers are at the heart of everything we do.’
Opening the gallery is the culmination of years spent following her own creative path; painting, studying illustration at degree level, working in radio marketing and founding a successful wallpaper business. Despite her children’s wallpapers being seen on a popular television crime drama, in children’s bedrooms up and down the country and all over the world, fine art came calling again. Picking up her paintbrush brought a renewed rush of excitement and a realisation that the time was right to finally open her own gallery. A family day trip to the Wimborne Folk Festival initiated a move to the town seven years ago, recently securing a workshop unit in an old mill that required a full renovation.
Realising a lifelong dream
“Owing my own gallery has been a lifelong dream, driven by a deep passion for art. I can’t remember a time when I haven’t engaged in other artist’s work – I’ve been developing my own style and honing my taste all this time without realising it. The gallery is a place to enjoy art with no pressure to buy. We just want to spread the joy of art!”
Everyone is welcome
The gallery is open Wednesday to Saturday, or by appointment. Please subscribe to our mailing list to hear about forthcoming events and exhibitions.
The Otter Team also offer home consultations to anyone needing advice on hanging or sourcing artwork for one room or an entire house. Artworks from the gallery can be brought to your home to try.
Applications for artist representation are open – please apply via the website.
