History

1999     Visual Art Network founded and established as a charity.

As a result of successful networking, many partnerships have been created and projects developed. Exciting examples of these include;

  • Whitehall Project, an artists studio and community centre.
  •  This is Shrewsbury , a book on Contemporary Shrewsbury.
  •  Arts and Business seminars and gallery unit.
  •  Shops, offices, cafes, bars and restaurants, now permanently displaying art.
  •  The Cloud Gallery, an artists' led project to develop new public gallery and studio space for visual arts using eco-architecture and sustainable construction.

2000-7   Started and set up the Shrewsbury Visual Art Festival. This included 'Art in Shop Windows'

Originally branded 'This is Art', the annual visual art festival reached its eighth year in 2007 and is now a partner of the 3 month combined arts festival Shrewsbury Summer Season. The visual artfestival has introduced established and inspired festival culture to Shropshire 's county town.

Art in Shop Windows, a major International Open Art Competition sponsored by Whittingham Riddell, an auction of contemporary art at Halls, A4E Art for the Environment Trail, Shrewsbury Open Studios, Artist Collaboration Projects, talks and many more events have all formed part of Shrewsbury 's cultural calendar.

2000      Initiated Shrewsbury Open Studios.

2006      'The Art Auction' organised by Halls and supported by Barbara Gillian.  

This was a new initiative in 2006, to offer contemporary art work from a variety of artists for sale at the auction rooms and via the internet. The event was run again in 2007.

2007       

The Shrewsbury Visual Art Festival linked with the Blue Chairs charity for leukaemia support. It       was successfully launched to attract an even wider audience, using a number of art events, such   as the parade of 500 blue chairs from Shrewsbury School in the Square for an installation               completed by former VAN chair, Casper Macindoe.

2009      

Successfully completed a six month pop up Shrewsbury 'Galleries Live' and 'Made in Shropshire' shop.

2010     

Office base and Market Hall Gallery estblished at the indoor Market Hall Shrewsbury, providing members access to exhibit and sell work.

          Website and bi-monthly newsletter published, helping to promote artists and advertise events.

2014      

VAN Gallery Shrewsbury continues as a curated gallery space in Shrewsbury Market Hall,promoting a wide range of events for members, groups and community projects.

          New website launched.

           2016

           December 16th opening of VAN pop up Street Gallery, 18/19 Shoplatch, Shrewsbury.                           Now closed

          2018

           November 20th - opening of a new Street Gallery, Darwin shopping Centre, Shrewsbury.      A contemporary gallery. Providing exhibiting opportunities, workshops, talks for local artists.