A LOCAL company has been praised for its support of local artists ahead of its new gallery launch this month.

Beckford Silk, which is based in Beckford, near Tewkesbury, will be exhibiting the work of three local artists in its new gallery, which launches with a special event on this Friday (July 21).

Conderton-based potter Toff Milway said: “It is always a delight to be invited to exhibit with Beckford Silk. The quality of their work and perfect presentation forces us all to the top of our game and gives us a real chance to show our best work to an appreciative clientele.”

Painter Antonia Black, from Alderton, Gloucestershire, has worked with Beckford Silk for the last 25 years, designing a number of prints for them over the years.

The exhibition will feature a selection of her still life paintings.

She said: “It’s very exciting, I think it’s wonderful. What Beckford Silk does with its prints is to make art more accessible for people. You may not be able to afford to buy an artist’s prints, but you can buy a scarf and keep it forever. Now people will be able to see that art in real life too.”

The gallery will be housed in a converted part of Beckford Silk’s current shop and will feature the work of Antonia, Toff, and local award-winning milliner, Lisa von Hallwyl, who said it was an “honour” to be part of the gallery launch.

It will also include a collection of framed silk pictures.

Anne Hopkins from Beckford Silk said: “We have built up some wonderful relationships with a number of artists over the years and it is always a pleasure to bring their patterns and designs to the public. We are delighted to be able to extend that further and use our new gallery as a showcase for local talent, which people from far and wide can come and enjoy.”

The launch event will take place on on July 21 from 6.30pm.