AN award-winning trio of artists have been overwhelmed by the response since launching an exhibition space in the town centre.

Technically Brilliant Art first opened in Warrington in Hatters Row and moved to Golden Square in November.

The gallery and shop, between Primark and The Works, was supposed to be just a pop-up until the end of the year but it has proved so popular that it is here to stay.

Jo Smith, Matt George and Kathryn Seth-Smith, co-founders of the community interest group, were preparing for Technically Brilliant’s second exhibition called 2020 Vision when Weekend paid them a visit.

The exhibition opens tomorrow, Friday, featuring 128 artists – predominantly from Warrington – and there has been so much demand that more than 40 artists have had to be turned away. It runs until mid May.

The gallery’s popularity has quickly grown as the first exhibition featured 71 artists and was viewed by more than 6,000 visitors.

Jo, Matt and Kathryn previously curated art exhibitions in Altrincham and won Arts Centre of the Year at the 2019 Manchester Prestige Awards.

Kathryn, who worked in the food industry in nutrition before reinventing herself as a ceramicist, said: “We’d made connections with various artistic communities in Warrington but we were really pleasantly surprised by the response we got when we opened.

“This time we’ve had to turn artists away simply because we don’t have the hanging space. It’s all about giving opportunities for Warrington artists – both emerging and established.

“We want to give newer artists the confidence to show their work and meet each other.”

Warrington Guardian:

Artists of all disciplines are welcome as well as the likes of ceramicists, glassmakers and jewellery makers.

Usually the minimum age for exhibitors is 18 but exceptions can be made for younger promising talent and the age range for the new exhibition is 14 to 85.

Among the artists who have previously had work displayed is Frances Broomfield, whose painting of George Formby was projected onto 30 landmark buildings throughout the UK as part of a BBC project.

But first time exhibitors or new artists are equally encouraged.

There is a small admin and hanging fee but otherwise there is no entry fee for the exhibitions, which will take place four times a year.

Lymm resident Jo, who was persuaded to bring Technically Brilliant to Warrington by Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, Warrington Borough Council’s cabinet member responsible for culture, added: “They are all highly enthusiastic.

“We have a preview on Thursday night and I can’t imagine what this place will be like because last time we had more than 300 people, all with massive grins on their faces.

“Because most of the time when artists exhibit it might just be for a day or two in a church hall whereas here they’re in the centre of Warrington surrounded by fantastic work.

“For artists it’s really important to get your work out there and it gives us a buzz too.

“The art is for sale but for a lot of people, it’s more about getting their work on the wall in a gallery and getting that recognition.

“We’re in this unit permanently now which means we can have a real presence.”

The trio also hope to build up a series of workshops and classes at the gallery run by the Technically Brilliant team or guest artists.

Kathryn said: “Part of that is to give artists the opportunity to make more of a livelihood so we let them run a class if they have a particular skill they can share.”