Established in 1862 and one of Scotland’s oldest privately-owned galleries, The Fraser Gallery in St Andrews re-launched in May last year as Gallery Franklin, after Lesley Franklin took ownership; since then, Lesley has expanded the Gallery’s roster of artists to include many well-known and accomplished names, with additions including members of the long-established New English Art Club.
The Club was founded in 1886 by a group of artists, including John Singer Sargent, Walter Sickert and Philip Wilson Steer, who were dissatisfied with the entrenched attitudes of the Royal Academy. The Club maintains its ideals and ethos, with artists carefully selected, including Craig Jefferson, Jenny Wheatley and John Dobbs, whose work is pictured, exhibiting at the Gallery.
Other artists in the throng include George Birrell, Andy Keir, Janet Keith, Michael Weller NEAC, Sophia Oshodin, Sarah Baddon Price, Gemma Rees, Jennifer Watt, Ann Oram RSW, Mhairi Janet McGregor RSW, David Mackie Cook, Nael Hanna, Luci Maclaren, Jack Morrocco, Michael Clark RGI RSW PAI, Jackie Philip, Huw Williams and Julia Hawkins ROI – also an NEAC artist.
Says Lesley, ‘I am keen to continue to embrace the local community, by hosting events and activities in the gallery, while also sharing my understanding of the wider art world. Importantly, I am representing a range of British contemporary artists from across the whole of the UK. Gallery Franklin will champion both established names and emerging talent, combining curatorial expertise with a warm, personal approach.’
Lesley, who is the subject of a CloseUp interview on this website, aims to reflect the huge range of visitors, from local residents and university students, to tourists from across the world, in making the Gallery a vibrant part of St Andrews’ cultural fabric, with a national and international outlook, with worldwide connections. The Gallery’s rebrand is reflected in its website and social media tags, and a new email address for enquiries.
The gallery’s physical address and phone number remain the same.
