THE ART OF MATCHMAKING

Scots gallery owner, Becky Walker, has been offering her clients an informal “art matchmaking” service for 17 years.

Almost without thinking about it, Becky advises people who buy work from her two galleries on how to position paintings and sculpture or how to find matching accessories for their homes.

It was only when she searched online for art consultancy services in Scotland that she realised no-one was actually offering it — and that sparked off the idea of setting up her own art matchmaking service.

Becky, who runs the Buchlyvie-based Green Gallery and its sister gallery in the Clackmannanshire village of Dollar, has decided to launch an art matching service with a show called Rooms. It opens at The Green Gallery in Buchlyvie on Sunday 25th March.

Becky explains: “There is nothing else like this in Scotland. It happens elsewhere, in London, Paris and New York, but not in Scotland. At Rooms, I’ll be showing a mix of painters, textiles artists, sculptors and the work of furniture makers and setting the gallery up as rooms so clients can see how things could fit together.

“It’s aimed at people who know what they want and what they like but don’t know how to get it! I am not an interior designer but I have 25 years worth of experience in looking at art and working with artists and clients to make sure that the art works look the part in their homes.

“I can look at an interior and know what it needs. I often talk to clients and they’ll say they know that a room needs something to finish it off but they are not sure what. I can find a beautiful hand-crafted piece of glass as opposed to a mass-produced vase.

“I’ll be using my resources and contacts and love of colour and texture to help people to stay in love their art.”

The Green Gallery celebrates its 25th year this year. It was started up by Becky’s artist mum, Ann Johnston, in 1993, and over the years, both Ann and Becky have given much-needed exposure to countless artists and makers.

Artists who will be showing at the launch of Rooms include painters; Patsy McArthur, Chelsea Davine, Rosanne Barr, Alison McWhirter, Stanley Bird, Lex McFadyen and Sophie McKay Knight. Angus Clyne’s exquisite wood sculptures will be part of the mix too as will environmental artist Rob Mulholland and furniture maker, Steven Burgess.

ends

For more information, contact Becky Walker

address: greengallery Dollar, 53 Bridge Street, Dollar, FK14 7DJ

telephone: 01259 470149

email: greengallery6964@gmail.com

web: www.greengallery.com

facebook: www.facebook.com/greengallerylifestyle

twitter: @greengallery2