A former fishing tackle shop which closed three years ago is set to have new life breathed into it this weekend as it reopens as a gallery, shop and workshop space.

Owners of Viner & Sons in West Malling High Street, who also opened a small artisan and crafts shop in Kings Hill at the end of last year – Viners on the Hill – will be expanding into neighbouring No.58 with the Drawing Rooms.

It’s a project that’s been some time in the making, and has involved a lot of restoration work, but creative director, Charlotte Gardner, can’t wait until it’s finally time to open the freshly-painted doors.

“It has been a difficult year for artists and they haven’t really had a platform to sell their work – they haven’t been able to go to their usual trade fairs and so on,” she said.

“We also found with Viner & Sons, we often had clients who needed somewhere to go; a quiet place, and also something to give them a purpose, and a social connection.

“And it grew – it snowballed – into this wonderful thing.

“Everybody in the community stands to benefit from it. What we were doing was having an open door policy for them, to give them a space to get them out of the house. But we also thought this would be a fantastic opportunity to start some workshops so they could find a sense of worth.”

Socially-distanced workshops will feature subjects and skills ranging from watercolour painting by Charlotte to floristry by West Malling Flowers; acrylics and greeting card making; ink art and macrame.

The project has taken some time to get off the ground as the listed building needed extensive, careful renovation.

“It is a very old building and it had been empty for a long time,” said Charlotte.

“We knew that it was going to be a big project. But we are keeping an old building alive and doing something amazing for the community. I cannot wait for it to open.”

As customers enter, they will be greeted with a retail area, selling artisan items, such as those seen in Viners on the Hill from local producers.

There will also be a gallery space, featuring a range of local artists. The gallery has been featuring some of the local artists who will be showing their works on its Facebook page in the lead-up to the opening on Saturday, July 3.

One of the local artists being featured in the Drawing Room's first exhibition is Martin Page.

Martin, who specialises in photorealism portrait painting, applied to be included after seeing the gallery news on social media and applied with three of his paintings.

His artwork, Megan, was selected for the launch exhibition.

He said: "It means so much to exhibit in a place like West Malling, a local place where I grew up.

"Being part of the launch feels like I'm starting a journey with them. It's a new experience and I can't wait to see where this takes me."

Find out more at thedrawingrooms.co.uk, take a look at Facebook or call 01732 600400.

Here's more art news across Kent...

Linden Hall Studio, Deal

The gallery in St George's Road, Deal, which first opened in 2014, has changed its layout to allow for social distancing, and now the ground floor is a rolling exhibition space. Run by gallery director Myles Corley, the first floor currently is home to a collection of modern British painting, print and sculpture, until Saturday, December 4.

Find out more at lindenhallstudio.co.uk

The Beaney, Canterbury

This weekend is the last chance to view Saint Thomas Becket – World Celebrity Healer at the city centre gallery, which ends on Sunday, July 4.

A major exhibition in the context of Becket’s story, Canterbury pilgrimage and health & wellbeing, it is being held after 2020 marked the 900th anniversary of Thomas Becket’s birth, 850th of his death, and 800th of moving Becket’s relics to a new tomb and chapel in Canterbury Cathedral, but events had to be postponed. Entry is free but donations are welcomed. There is also a fun interactive trail around the galleries for kids. Details at canterburymuseums.co.uk

Lovelys Gallery, Margate

The gallery in North Down Road, Cliftonville, is running its Lovelys Art BnB from Saturday July 3 until Saturday, August 28 when you can embrace the Great British staycation with an artistic celebration of local coastline and seaside towns, summertime adventures and local hidden treasures. The exhibition will feature original paintings, limited edition prints and sculpture and comes in the lead-up to the gallery's 130th anniversary later in the month.

Details at lovelysgallery.co.uk

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