Mannequin at Vintage Mary's LHG exhibition

After I'd packed up at the market I drove round to Lansdown Hall's Gallery as I wanted to visit Abi at her special exhibition. She and her partner 'Mary', who started  her business 'Vintage Mary' were celebrating the business' nearly fifty years of trading in The Shambles outdoor market. I won't explain the history of it but you can read about it in this article in our local online paper Stroud Times.

I was very tired and in a bit of a rush but took a few pictures. I said hello to Mary whom I used to know several decades ago when buying from her stall, before Abi became involved. Subsequently I've got to know Abi better whilst working together on the Shambles Market committee.

As I was leaving I couldn't resist this mannequin in the doorway. It is an example of how local artists have been buying from Vintage Mary and then using their purchases for creative purposes. The article does have a several images of other such works as well as mentioning some of the other artists.

It was personally pleasing to view the exhibition in the Gallery as this was a major part of the regeneration of Lansdown Hall. when iwasa town councillor I chaired the Working group which oversaw the transformation of the building and the large investment in its rebuilding. For many years since it has been a very important local space for artists to exhibit, cheaply.