Nick Elvin visits a new art gallery in Potters Bar

ART lovers in Potters Bar now don’t have far to go to indulge their passion, following the opening of new gallery on Barnet Road.

Art & Escape combines exhibitions of thought provoking work with the opportunity to talk to artists, and also take part in courses.

Stuart McAlpine Miller, one of the gallery’s three directors, says the idea is to present art normally found in central London galleries, alongside local talent.

“The first question people ask is why Potters Bar,” he says. “We said, why not? There’s a wealth of talent in the area and we want to show local art along with artists who have been recognised, and also work by graduates. Visitors can try to understand where it comes from. We hope to bring in lots of visiting artists who can come and talk about their work.”

The gallery, which opened in September in a former butcher’s shop, offers a bright space that is ideal for viewing art, and has a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. It is looking to build relationships with schools and other organisations, allowing them access to art, while there are also plans to develop the outside area at the back of the studio, as well as the building’s first floor, and the opening of a café on site is another possibility. The vision of Art & Escape will be a place where members of the community can meet for a chat over a coffee as well as view the art on display.

The work of painters, sculptors, digital, mixed media and multi-media artists will all be housed at the gallery, with a different exhibition taking place each month. Currently, the work on display includes that of artists from Latvia, the USA and Mexico, as well as Stuart’s own work.

“We want people to look at something for what it is, not the name that’s attached,” he adds. “It’s high art. It’s an opportunity for people to see works that would be missed normally. We’re a very open-minded gallery and we’re willing to look at anybody’s art.”

The next exhibition, Mixed Emotions, runs from October 30 until November 30. Life painting and drawing course beginning on November 5. Art & Escape is at 23-25 Barnet Road, Potters Bar. Telephone: 07503 302208 or 07791 075458 or visit www.artandescape.com Open: Tuesday - Saturday, 10am-5pm (until 7pm on Thursday); Sunday 11am-3pm.