From Art Students to Established Professionals: New Bewdley Gallery Gives Artists of All Ages a Chance to Shine
A new pop-up art gallery in the heart of Bewdley is giving aspiring artists, including children, the opportunity to exhibit their work alongside established professional artists this Christmas.
The Olive & Plum Gallery & Shop has opened at 93 Welchgate, Bewdley, bringing together an exciting collection of original artwork from professional artists and art students of a variety of ages and abilities.
Open until 13th December 2026, the gallery offers visitors the chance to discover beautiful original art, find something special for their homes and shop for unique Christmas gifts, while supporting local artists.
But what makes this gallery particularly special is the opportunity it provides for art students to exhibit their work alongside established professionals.
Visitors can enjoy artwork by artists including Sarah Stokes, Jess Pritchard, Jaime Moore, Laura Jayne Smith, Sharon Gibson and Andrew Hemming, displayed alongside paintings and other artwork created by students who have attended Olive & Plum's art workshops and classes.
For many of these students, this is their first opportunity to exhibit their artwork in a public gallery. Seeing their work displayed alongside professional artists is a significant achievement and a wonderful boost to their confidence.
The gallery also features children's art, giving younger artists the chance to experience the excitement and pride of seeing their work on display for the public to enjoy.
More Than Just Art Workshops
Olive & Plum is known for its programme of art workshops and classes, led by professional artists who share their knowledge, skills and passion for art with students of all abilities.
The opening of the Bewdley gallery takes this a step further, offering students something that many aspiring artists only dream of: the chance to have their artwork exhibited in a gallery.
Sarah Stokes, co-founder of Olive & Plum and professional wildlife artist, explains:
"One of the most rewarding things about teaching art is seeing how much people's confidence grows as they develop their skills and discover what they can achieve.
"For many of our students, exhibiting their artwork in a gallery is something they would never have imagined doing. We wanted to give them that opportunity and show that you don't have to be a professional artist to create work that deserves to be seen and enjoyed.
"It's wonderful to see our students' paintings hanging alongside work by established artists, and we're especially delighted to include artwork by children. We hope it gives everyone involved a real sense of pride in what they've achieved and inspires them to continue developing their love of art."
Support Local Artists This Christmas
With Christmas approaching, the Olive & Plum Gallery & Shop also offers a lovely and much more personal alternative to shopping online, giving people the opportunity to purchase original artwork and support artists from the local area and beyond.
Whether you're looking for a statement piece for your home, a smaller original painting or a thoughtful Christmas gift, the gallery offers plenty of inspiration.
Every purchase helps support the artists whose work is on display, including art students taking their first steps towards exhibiting and selling their work.
The gallery's Grand Opening takes place on Saturday 21st November 2026, coinciding with Bewdley's Christmas lights switch-on, making it the perfect opportunity to explore the exhibition while enjoying the town's festive atmosphere.
Olive & Plum hopes the gallery will not only introduce more people to the wonderful artistic talent in the area but also inspire visitors to try their hand at art themselves.
Through its programme of workshops and classes, Olive & Plum welcomes everyone from complete beginners to experienced artists, providing opportunities to learn new techniques, develop artistic skills and enjoy painting and drawing in a friendly, encouraging environment.
Visit the Olive & Plum Gallery & Shop
Address: 93 Welchgate, Bewdley, Worcestershire
Exhibition dates: 4 November – 13 December 2026
Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 10am–4pm
Please note: Closed Wednesday 18 November
Grand Opening: Saturday 21 November 2026
For more information about Olive & Plum's art workshops and classes, visit the Olive & Plum Academy: https://www.oliveandplumretreats.com/art-academy
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