Artizan Gallery is an independent fine art gallery dedicated to championing the work of local artists in the South West. Their inviting gallery space offers a professional, affordable venue for both experienced and emerging artists, as well as providing a venue for events, groups and workshops. Working from their base in the English Riviera, the gallery also manages pop-up spaces across Torbay and the South West. FIND OUT MORE
Peninsula: The South-West Open 2026 Celebrates the Spirit, Light, and Craft of the Region at Artizan Gallery
Artizan Collective is proud to announce the opening of Peninsula: The South-West Open 2026, a landmark exhibition running through 4th September. Marking a fresh chapter for the gallery’s long-standing Summer Open, this year’s show shifts focus to a dedicated narrative celebrating the unique physical, cultural, and historic character of the South West.
The South West peninsula is a region defined by striking geography and deep geological roots – from the rugged granite tors of the moors to the ancient, fossil-rich cliffs of the Jurassic Coast. Historically, it has served as a vital maritime gateway and a hub of industrial innovation. Today, both economically and socially, it remains a resilient landscape where deep-rooted agricultural and maritime heritage meets a thriving, modern creative economy. This distinct environmental and social tapestry has long served as a crucible for artists, drawn to the peninsula’s relative isolation, its dramatic weather systems, and the profound, daily intersection of land and sea.
Featuring work from 76 local and national artists, the exhibition brings together a rich diversity of mediums including watercolour, pastel, oil and acrylic paintings, photography, ceramics, textiles, glass, printmaking, metalwork, and mixed media.
To capture the essence of the region, the curation is built around three distinct themes. West Country Vistas explores the region’s dramatic coastlines, rolling moors, and rural spaces through everything from plein air painting and coastal photography to abstract landscapes and 3D interpretations. Made of the West highlights the tactile sculptural talent, materials, and heritage crafts that define West Country making. Finally, Western Light draws inspiration from the peninsula’s famous, luminous quality of light that has captivated creative minds for centuries.
“For over a decade, our annual Summer Open has been a cornerstone of the Artizan calendar,” says the gallery team. “This year, we wanted to anchor the show directly in the spirit of our region—grounded in the landscapes, materials, and legendary light of the South West. The response from artists across the country has been phenomenal.”
Exhibition Details
• Dates: 26th July – 4th September 2026
• Opening Hours: Wednesday – Sunday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm (or by appointment)
• Location: Artizan Collective 74 Fleet Street Torquay TQ2 5EB
• Admission: Free
• Exhibition Page: www.art-hub.co.uk/ex/peninsula26
Members of the public, art collectors, and visitors to the English Riviera are invited to experience this vibrant visual journey through the South West throughout the summer.