David & Karen Drake - Caerbladon

We love Malmesbury and want the town to be seen as a beacon for exciting, diverse visual and applied art. Within the local area, and a half-hour’s drive in any direction from the town, you find many brilliant artists and makers, producing high quality work and inspiring others to be creative and express themselves through art.

The one thing we felt was lacking is a go-to place for exhibitions, all year round, located in the town centre. Somewhere that reflects the talent and ambition of artists in Wiltshire, the Cotswolds and the wider region. The town has historic sites and venues ideal for pop-up exhibitions and events, workshops and classes. However, we felt that establishing a dedicated gallery, events space and art supplies store was an important milestone for the town, and that was our motivation for creating Caerbladon.

The community of artists and makers benefit by having a place to meet, explore and exhibit their work and develop their practice and audience, contributing to an arts scene in the town and creating benefits to the local arts economy.

Residents and visitors to the town and area benefit by having greater opportunity to see the work of professional artists.  Aspiring artists will have the opportunity to develop their own art techniques, learn about art and history and be inspired by other’s creativity.

As a community interest company, every penny we make goes back into supporting artists and our mission to develop new opportunities to see art, make art and own art.

Whether young or old, rich or poor, whatever one’s educational experiences and background, we believe that art can inspire you to see the world differently, to share your stories and insights, to get creative and express yourself.  With art in our lives, every day seems richer, more meaningful and optimistic.