After 15 years teaching art in schools, Rose now beomes Doncaster's newest Gallery owner!
''Rosemary aiming to go from art class to class art''
The Star
Date: 06 August 2009
A TEACHER has said farewell to the classroom to achieve a long-held ambition by opening her own art gallery and studio.
Gallery 12A, named after the number of the building is located on South Parade, Doncaster, opened its doors this week and will stage its first exhibition next month.
In the meantime, Rosemary Firth is getting her art education centre off the drawing board in the Georgian building next door to The Salutation pub, to enable local people "to release their own creativity".
Rosemary, aged 52, has just completed 15 years teaching art at Hall Cross School and has decided to take on a new challenge in a town which is not renowned for being blessed with art galleries.
"I had been wanting to start a gallery for ages and then the right building came up. I saw the former beauty salon next to the pub and it was available to let, so I had a look. It is very big inside and it's in a good location, so I decided to take it," she said.
To start with, Rosemary is offering a series of art classes covering life drawing, painting, creative textiles and Saturday morning art sessions for children aged eight to 12.
From August 17 to October 10, Gallery 12A stages its first open art exhibition featuring the works of such artists as Kev Rowley, with his prints of robots, Martin Fowler with linoprints of rabbits and hares, and Rosemary's husband, Graham Firth, who creates linoprints of Doncaster characters.
Two rooms on the upper floors will be sub-let to artists who want their own studio and she already has some interest in them.
"I have had a lot of interest in the gallery and I think everybody wants it to open. It's going to be a case of seeing what reaction we get but I hope this will be a long-term enterprise," she added.
Rosemary, who lives in Bennetthorpe, admits it is a matter of "leaping into the unknown".
She added: "I want to help make Doncaster a place of culture and learning with people of all ages receiving high quality art education in a gallery atmosphere.
"Anybody is welcome to attend. You may be retired, out of work, working part-time or needing an extra interest. Whatever your situation, come along and sign up for the classes, we welcome any ability and any age."
She also plans special two or three day workshops in subjects such as textiles and felt making.
The gallery is open Mondays to Fridays 9am to 5pm and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm. For details of classes, call Rosemary on 01302 738377
GALLERY 12A
The Gallery will hold exhibitions but will also run daily classes in drawing, painting and textiles, plus more.
Studio to let
Dear all,
I am pleased to be able to let a top floor studio at Gallery12a.
Gallery12a is a beautiful Georgian 3 story building on Doncaster's South Parade. It has become increasingly popular as an Art Venue, a meeting place and a study centre for the visual Arts.
The room available is 196 square feet.
The rent works out at £51.30 per week including services, rates etc.
Suitable as an office or artists studio etc
If you are interested please contact me for more information
For more information please contact Rose at firthrosemary@hotmail.com 01302 738377
http://gallery12a.blogspot.com/
Contact details
Telephone: Work 01302 738377
Mobile: Mobile 07505057601
Email: rosemaryfirth@hotmail.com
Web site: www.gallery12a.com
Gallery 12a
12a South Parade
Doncaster
South Yorkshire
DN1 2DY
Artists
All
Traditional Painters
Contemporary Painters
Illustrators
Printmakers
Glass
Furniture
Jewellery
Textiles
Photography
Ceramics
Sculptors
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Multi-discipline
Email for further details
or call Arthur on 07745 801412