High art for the High Street

Graphic novels featuring the work of such as Mark Miller will be on display.

Last summer the Art Village was opened up to highlight the number of empty shop units there were in Shawlands Arcade and to bring a bit of culture to the area.

Now it’s back: comprising a 7,000 square foot gallery in the arcade with a wider range of artwork than ever before.

Stretched across four large shops, Scotland’s newest and largest independent gallery contains original works by almost 200 artists, designers, animators, educators, producers and micro businesses.

New artists are exhibited alongside establish giants of the art world such as John Bellany and Peter Howson.

Works include sculptures, jewellery, glasswork, woodturning, handmade cards for all occassions, prints ceramics and bowls made out of recycled video tape.

There is also a range of activities for all ages: art activities for children, masterclasses for adults and artists on site creating original work for all to see.

A big draw for younger visitors will be Shawlands first graphic novel store which will feature the works of Frank Quitely (subject of a recent BBC documentary What Do Artists Do All Day?), Grant Morrison MBE (author of X-Men, Batman and Superman) and Mark Miller MBE (author of Wanted, Kick-Ass and the upcoming big budget film Secret Service).

There is also a programme of short films and animated movies in Scotland’s Smallest Cinema.

Art Village runs until the end of summer.