AN AWARD-WINNING Andover artist will be opening a new gallery in the town next month.

Alex McGarry will open the Alex McGarry Studio and Art Gallery at unit 10, Waverley Buildings – the former site of David Mellor Jewellers. The store will open in September, with plans for an official launch event shortly after.

“The officially opening is October 5,” she said.

“Everybody will be welcome to come along, have a glass of bubbly and help celebrate the opening of the shop.

“We’ll have sort of a VIP opening on Friday night (October 4), which will be ticketed, and then Saturday will be a free for all with a glass of bubbles to come and see what’s going on.”

Alex has been working as a full-time professional artist for the last four years, selling her art and running her business from home during that time.

Now the new gallery, which is backed by Andover BID, will showcase her work, plus a range of prints and other products and textiles, such as handmade cushions featuring her artwork.

Alex added: “I’m really excited. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and just having the backing of the BID really helped.

“I’ve never done a shop before so it’s something new and having the backing of them really helped.”

The gallery joins other newly opened independent stores in the town such as Lindy’s Boutique, which is also based in Waverly Buildings, and Alex think its these smaller, more niche business that help to give Andover something different.

She said: “I’ve lived in Andover all my life and I think it’s a great town.

“I think people often look at the town negatively because we haven’t got these big companies. But because we’ve not got these big companies, we have something else a bit different – a bit unique really.”

Alex was recently named Up and Coming Artist of 2019 at an awards ceremony run by the prestigious Fine Art Trade Guild, and she says that award win gave her that bit of confidence to take the plunge and open her own gallery.

She also says she has a special surprise planned for when the shop is up and running.

“Come and look in the window and you’ll see for yourself,” she added.

For more information on Alex and her artwork go to alexmcgarry.co.uk