The Cygnet Gallery is an original and imaginative collection of arts and crafts
The Cygnet Gallery offers local artists the opportunity to exhibit and sell their workThe Committee - The gallery is run by the artists for the artistsCygnet Committee Chair: Bill Leivers Deputy Chair/Secretary: Cali Norton Deputy Chair: Pavla Andrews Treasurer: Roz Legge New Artists Coordinator: Pavla Andrews Secretary/Swans Trust Liaison Officer: Cali Norton Minutes Secretary: Emma Mauger Committee Liaison Officer: Pavla Andrews Marketing and Advertising Coordinator: Katie Chambers Social Secretary: Emma Mauger Display Coordinator: Lindsay Keir Swans Yard Liaison: Geraldine McLoughlin YPAC/Exhibitions: Bill Leivers Physical Environment Coordinator: Bill Leivers Wellbeing Coordinator: Rachel Chenery Non-Committee Responsibilities: Rotas/Shifts Liaison: Hazel Allen Rents & Units Coordinator: Stuart Craven Assistant Treasurer: Charlotte Stockley Health & Safety Officer: Jason Fermor Website Coordinator: Jan Leivers Social Media Coordinator: Grenville Allen Committee Liaison: Holly Berlyn Window Display: Sue Hannant Cygnet Artists Leaflet: Sean Lenn Video Advert Coordinator: Philip Galvan Housekeeping: Grenville Allen Departing Artists Liaison: John Gilbert CD Sound System Coordinator: Peter Alleyn Petty Cash: John Gilbert Keys - issuing/collection + deposits: Bill Leivers Contacts List/New Artist Nameplates: Hazel Allen Young Artists' Competition: Bill Leivers Lindsay Keir Cygnet Weekly Bulletin/Artist Liaison: Holly Berlyn General Printing (Welcome Packs, sales sheets etc): Peter Alleyn |
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The Cygnet Gallery is a Swans Trust project in Swans Yard. Swans Trust (Shaftesbury) is a company limited by charitable status (Registered Charity Number: 1063757). It is the name of Shaftesbury’s Community Development Charity, a Development Trust set up in 1997 to promote and develop community, economic and cultural facilities and projects in Shaftesbury.
Situated in an historic area of Shaftesbury, Swans Yard (named after a notable coaching inn that once stood on the site) is known as its creative heart - and is where Swans Trust offers opportunities for several start-up businesses. The Trust rates the Yard as one of their main achievements; and nestled in its heart is The Cygnet Gallery. In order to help promote, preserve and improve the arts and crafts in the area, The Cygnet began in 2009 with only twelve artists; it has since grown to the vibrant place it is now – with over twenty artists. By giving them gallery space, The Trust continues to encourage local artists and makers. By allowing the artists to share their expertise and excellence in a secure and inviting atmosphere the Trust’s initial vision is upheld. Many acclaimed artists and makers in the art world first started out at The Cygnet. Others have stayed from the beginning, and some have indeed returned. Still run by the artists as a cohesive and skills-based cooperative, Swans Trust generously maintains the gracious well-lit building for them. Each artist pays a monthly VAT inclusive licence fee for a space. This fee is inclusive of electricity, water, waste, telephone and WiFi, business rates, general indemnity insurance, buildings insurance, alarm and fire security, and any maintenance resulting from these. Because these rents are greatly subsidised by The Trust they are very reasonable. And because Swans Trust doesn't charge the usual gallery commission artists' sales prices can be kept low. All in all, customers can find a reasonably priced unique collective of the best of local art and crafts in one warm, welcoming and beautiful space. In order that the artists can make the very best use of the facilities which The Trust has so generously afforded, the artists have agreed to adopt a Constitution which will legitimise the way the Cygnet is run on a day-to-day basis. Click here to download a copy of the Constitution for the gallery which was adopted in 2021 and has the wholehearted approval of the Trustees of Swans Trust. |
Thinking of becoming a Cygnet Artist?To rent a space you would become a licence holder and commit to covering a shift in the gallery each week. You would also be required to carry out a housekeeping task. Just click the button below to find out more. |