CROWDFUNDED BY OUR COMMUNITY

Founder Abbey Stirling launched West Acre Gallery in April 2019. Inspired by the wealth of talented artists and artisans living in the largely rural community of west Norfolk, she wanted to provide an all-inclusive place for people of all walks to create and connect.

Launching a Crowdfunder in 2018, Abbey raised £3,631 for the gallery’s start-up costs and equipment, with the support of 40 investors. The generosity of those who donated helped breathe new life into an historic building, in this picturesque rural setting rich with heritage.

“We’ve come a long way since our humble beginnings,” says Abbey. “From a dilapidated farm building to a fully fledged exhibition space.  It has been a huge honour and a learning curve for me, leading the refurbishment and expansion of this space, forging relationships with local residents, facilitators, artists and collectors, and watching it grow into a vibrant creative hub.”

"ALL-INCLUSIVE"

West Acre Gallery welcomes both established and emerging artists working in all mediums to exhibit regardless of their training, gender, ethnicity and socio-economic status in this all-inclusive, non- discriminatory community venue.

We are dedicated to promoting public awareness, understanding and the appreciation of visual art and making it accessible to the wider community.

Local artists, as well as those outside of the region, are invited to exhibit.

Artworks are available to purchase at the gallery and onsite gift shop.

“I had such a good experience at West Acre Gallery, and I would definitely like to book the gallery for next year. The space, the ease of access, and the support they offered made the whole experience a pleasure, and inspired me to work hard for next year.” Garry Hobbs, exhibiting artist 2019

"UNITED BY COMMUNITY"

Visit our creative space and leave inspired and invigorated, whether you’ve seen an art exhibition or taken part in a yoga class.

We hope that visitors will leave West Acre Gallery with a sense of wellbeing, united by community, feeling connected by their common humanity, whether they are looking at art, making art, or partaking in a class.

"AN INSPIRING SETTING"

Our mission is to ensure that rural artists find confidence working outside of the urban elite, art buyers discover new talent at every level of their careers, tutors  find an inspiring setting to teach their craft, children have multi-sensory experiences to cultivate their creativity, participants push boundaries and develop new skills, and visitors discover local heritage in our restored flint barn and surrounding 12th-century ruins.

WITH SPECIAL THANKS

Thanks to the support of 40 backers we successfully raised £3,631 in our 2018 Crowdfunder campaign.

These funds have paid for our start up costs and equipment.

The generosity of those who donated has helped us breathe new life into this historic building.

Thank you also to West Acre Estate, the Birkbeck family, Design South East, and to everyone who backed and believed in this project.